Maryrrf,

Yeah, greatest mulch for a veggie garden out there... Gotta put it on deep... Minimum of 6 inches... You will be amazed at how it will do exactly what it is supposed to do in keeping the weeds down and moisture in... Plus...

...in the late fall when winter is comin' you can just till it into yer soil and it will act as humus in the soil and next years soil will be better than ever... We are lucky enough to have a tractor and plow which we use to turn everything under and then come spring when we till out soil is very happy... And so are out plants...

I don't know anything about coastal hay that maggie is talking about... Hay generally has the tops in it which is almost all seed and produces grass but maybe in Texas it ain't got not tops... Straw is readially available in the Richond area fir $4.00 a bale... Look like about 5 bales will do yer garden right nicely...

BTW, you ever go to Glen Allen to the "Little Five Azalea Farm"... It's off Rt. 1 about a mile north of Parham... Great plants for cheap...

B~