How to Mulch With Round Bales

If you have significant mulching needs for growing fruits and vegetables, an effective and affordable solution may involve purchasing round bales of hay, straw or pine straw to cover soil surfaces. With a thick layer of mulch on the soil, you can reduce or eliminate weeds and conserve soil moisture. When you buy mulch in large quantities, mulching with round bales may present a challenge due to the size of the bales.

Gardening gloves
Knife or scissors
Garden hose

Instructions

- 1
  Wear gardening gloves to protect your hands from injury from handling sharp mulch. Roll the round bale to the location you wish to mulch by pushing it along the ground with your hands. Position the bale on its side where you wish to begin mulching.
- 2
  Cut the twine that holds the bale together using the knife or scissors. Removing the twine will enable you to remove haw or straw but it will not cause the bale to fall apart.
- 3
  Insert your gloved hands into the center of the bale and grab out a large handful of hay or straw. Hold the handful of mulch about 2 to 3 feet above the ground and shake it gently to apply the mulch. As you shake, release the mulch slowly to apply it in a loose and natural layer over the soil.
- 4
  Continue applying the mulch in handfuls over the soil. As you remove mulch from the bale, it will become smaller. This will enable you to move the bale, if necessary, as you apply the mulch to your landscape areas.
- 5
  Spray water over the mulch with the garden hose after you finish applying it. The moisture will create a matted layer that will conserve soil moisture and prevent weeds.

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