Replies to post #1142 on ~SUSTAINABLE LIVING FOR CHALLENGING TIMES

[sumisu]

Salt Marsh Hay or Salt Hay

There isn't a wealth of articles on salt marsh hay.

Here is what I found so far.

From CROCKETT'S VICTORY GARDEN book, p.87-88,

"In the Victory Garden, where the sandy soil dries out so quickly, organic mulches can be a godsend. [In heavier soil they can present some problems, they prevent the soil from warming in the spring, and they present a perfect haven for slugs.] There is quite a variety of organic mulches to choose from. Grass clippings are fine, as long as there's been no weed-killer used on the grass; I put only 2 inches of grass clipping on the soil at a time, as thicker layers rot into a slippery mess. Old or spoiled hay works too, as does straw, but old hay often leaves behind a blanket of weeds and grassed after it decays. Salt marsh hay is by far the best, but it's expensive and hard to find; on the other hand, since it originates in saline areas, any seeds it carries will die in the normal garden soil. With any of these organic mulches, I sprinkle a little nitrate of soda over the mulch. Otherwise, mulched crops are apt to turn yellow, suffering a temporary loss of nitrogen to the bacteria that decays the mulch."


From THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ORGANIC GARDENING, by the Staff of Organic Gardening magazine, 1978, Rodale Press, p.755,

"Salt hay grows in meadows and lowlands near bodies of saltwater. It is a good source of trace minerals and sometimes is free for the taking. It does not mat down but remains stiff and firm through the season. If used as a winter mulch, it can be taken off in the spring and stacked in a corner of the plot to be used again the following winter. However, it is recommend for use year-round. A good mulch for strawberries, salt hay should be applied in a 1 1/2 to two-inch layer on strawberry beds and a three-inch layer elsewhere."


From How to GROW Vegetables Organically, by Jeff Cox & Editors of Rodale's Organic Gardening Magazine, Rodale Press, 1988, p.62,

"Occasionally gardeners find that their mulch actually increases the weed problems in the vegetable garden. This occurs when unfinished compost, hay, uncomposted manure, or other material contains viable seeds is used. To avoid the problem, compost manures before using them as mulches. Use straw, which contain no weed seed, instead of hay, or rely on grass clippings, salt hay, or chips."


I will continue my research on this salt marsh hay topic and provide pictures of my garden's progress. It began raining today, so I will be interested to see what happens after the rain stops in a few days.

Eddie