[Macy]

Not sure this is the right forum, so feel free to move it...

Would cut rushes work over weed suppresant as mulch, a la bark chippings? Once there was no seed heads, I presume there would be no danger of them rooting. They may hold a bit too much water, but is there any reason I definitely shouldn't experiment?

Would they work as replacement for straw in any circumstances, like around strawberries etc? There's a free, ready supply in a neighbouring field, so rather than source bark chips I could shear and barrow

[michael brenock]

there is no reason for not using rushes as a mulch but they do not wilt or become limb like straw. They are slow to decay even in a compost heap. They may be better for putting under berries of strawberries and would be less likely to induce Botrytis or grey mould like straw. The rushes will not hold any water. They must have some use other than being used for bedding cattle.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retirred).

[icon]

i put a mulch of poor quality silage which included a lot of rushes around my fruit trees this year and had a bumper crop!

[kindredspirit]

[Macy]

Thanks all, I'll give it a go and see how I get on for the paths, and will try and report back. I'll also give it a go around the planned apple trees, and other trees as a suppressant.

I never knew it was used as bedding for cattle (and so presumably horses as well), but given the comment about it being slow to rot I won't be passing that nugget on to my manure supplier!