Yeah, I know that's a weird title -- the two don't really have anything to do with each other, I'm just being economical in my posts!

[1] I have several strawbales intended to be garden mulch. I haven't reached that point yet, and the bales are beginning to get moldy. Yeah, they've been sitting out in the rain, because I have no other place for them. Can I still use this for mulch, or am I risking introducing something nasty to my plants?

[2] Any great ideas for waterproof (so I can wash the mud off) garden shoes? I have calf high boots, but those are too hot now. I have foot problems and need support. Ideally, I'd like to get my orthotics into them, but can make do with over-the-counter substitutes -- but I do need the arch support.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2001

Answers

As long as your garden isn't soaking wet, the mold isn't going to hurt anything planted in the garden. You need to wear a mask when you're pulling the bales apart though, 'cause those mold spores can play havoc with your respiratory system.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2001

We use every bit of old hay we can get our hands on. You may have some mushrooms come up.If edible,eat them too!

Once you commit to this path,you need to stay on it,tho,bc hay has alot of seeds in it. No problem as long as you mulch with something every year,as we do.Because if you don't you'll have a great weed crop.You prob already know that,tho.

Turn it under in the fall to continue decomposing,then start over.And what Polly said, too.

On shoes...I have those mens yuppie wading shoes like for the beach that I got for a couple bucks. I wear them around home and garden,then I hose them off. But rarely have to,with raised beds that I don't walk in and carpeted walkways.I can usually be in the garden in my slippers!

But they don't have much support. Nick wears boots a lot bc he needs the support for his bad heel.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2001

Joy, I always keep a decent pair of tennis shoes as my garden shoes with the over-the-counter substitute for the orthotics. I would imagine because your garden is away from home that you therefore think of rinsing the mud off.....how about just a garbage sack to put them in for transport. Once the mud dries on the tennis shoes a good sound slapping of them together takes the mud off.

We use moldy straw, moldy hay, moldy grass clippings.........whatever we can get out hands on for mulch. No problem.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2001

I have always been interested in getting a pair of those brightly colored rubber clogs that are used in gardens but they were always so pricey. The other day, though, I saw them in a magazine for $6.99 a pair. I was going to order a pair but do you think I can figure out where I saw that ad? Nope. I am so bummed out. But thought these might be an answer for you since you need the support. They rinse right off with the hose.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2001

Thanks for the suggestions for footwear. Colleen, I'd like something like the clogs EXCEPT that I have NEVER been able to keep the d*mn things on my feet. They always slide halfway off, and I end up stepping on the back ridge, and that hurts! Other people don't seem to have trouble with clogs, so it must just be me, or my funny foot configuration, or something. Fooey.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2001

I don't think the moldy hay will be a problem. At least all the weed and grass seed will be "pooched"!! I've used it before with no problems. As for the shoe thing, have you considered going barefoot? I know several people that have foot problems feel so much better going "au naturel". Just a suggestion...good luck!

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2001

Joy, if you can find a shoe/boot that is made of Gore-Tex fabric it will be water proof as well as will breathe too. Where I work uses a brand called Rocky but I don't know if they make womens shoes or not. They have super foot support even for being on concrete all day. I've seen these shoes hosed off after standing in mud for hours and the feet did not get wet. Good luck

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2001

Joy we use lots and lots of moldy hay. I mean truckloads!!! We get it from a local horsebreeder. We have raised beds and it is a must to keep them moist (we have drip irrigation). Our biggest weed problem is lambs quarter (yes I know it's edible, and extremely nutricious but what a pain!) and it seems to come up with or without the mulch.

I'm one of those wierdos who likes to garden barefoot, although snakes are a concern this time of year! When it is cooler I wear wellingtons. Collen if you find those cheap rubber clogs give us a shout! Kim

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2001

Go for the moldy hay but do use a mask of some sort as suggested.

I broke my orthotic putting it into "rubber" boots as the boots couldn't hold the thing as well as laced up shoes. Royal pain. I had a pair of boots that I had split with the orthotic and just cut off the tops so that they were only an inch or two above my ankles. They made fine garden boots and were cooler because air could circulate better being so short. When I can get such boots on sale, I buy an extra pair. When one splits or otherwise fails, I cut off tops and use them for hot weather.

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001