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How long does it take to compost hay?
It will take two to four months for plant material in a compost pile to decompose if it is turned regularly.
How long does a hay bale take to decompose?
This process usually takes around 10 to 14 days. For the first 3 days, simply water the bale thoroughly so it stays damp. For the next 6 days, in addition to watering the bale, use a liquid fertilizer like Bonnie Herb, Vegetable & Flower Plant Foodto add nitrogen to speed the decomposition.
Does hay break down in compost?
It does indeed break down, but unless you have a very wet environment it shouldn’t get moldy. Instead, it will start to compost, creating a rich layer of nutrients for your plants. This is especially good for seeds and starter plants. They thrive in the warm, moist and nutritious cover and soil provided by the hay.
How long does hay straw take to decompose?
The Lemhi straw in the bags decomposed 40\% in 3 months. The University of Idaho No. 59- 10320 straw decomposed 49\% in 3 months.
What do you do with rotten hay?
Uses for Spoiled Hay
- Mulch. Spread spoiled hay under your flowers and vegetables as an organic mulch.
- Soil Amendments. Chop or shred spoiled hay and add it to your garden soil in the fall as an organic soil amendment.
- Compost. Spoiled hay is a natural for adding to the compost bin.
- Make A Garden Bed.
How do you turn old hay into compost?
As a general rule when composting cow manure and spoiled hay, add them at a ratio of one part of cow manure to 0.8 to 1 part of spoiled hay by weight. If using chicken manure, rates of 0.5 to 0.7 chicken manure to 1 part of spoiled hay by weight can be used as a starting guide.
Is hay or straw better for garden?
I’ve seen such tenacious perennial weeds like thistle come into a garden as a result of their seeds hiding inside a bale of hay. Straw on the other hand, is much better for use as a garden mulch. Since wheat and other grain crops are so competitive in a field, they suppress the growth of many weeds.
Is hay good for mulch?
For almost any kind of plant, lucerne hay (also called Alfalfa) is the best pick. Lucerne hay mulch significantly fertilises the soil as it rots within six months and remarkably promotes plant growth due to its rich nitrogen content.
Is hay considered brown or green compost?
First, know that a healthy compost pile requires a mix of dry, carbon-rich “brown” items (e.g. dry leaves and grasses, newspaper, dead plant clippings, wood branches, hay, straw, sawdust, and pine needles) and wet, nitrogen-rich “green” items (e.g. grass clippings, food scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, and fresh …
Why do you put hay over dirt?
The hay helps hold the newly turned soil in place, preventing erosion so the seeds stay contact with the soil. Also, it adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes, helping feed your grass as it grows.