Hay and straw are two very commonly used agricultural products that are often confused with one another as they are almost identical in appearance. However, when it comes to their uses, the list of difference between hay and straw is long, as they are used for different purposes, whether in farming or gardening. 

When it comes to utilisation as mulch, straw and hay are extremely different given their vastly different vegetation sources. This is why as a gardener it is smart to understand the difference between hay vs straw, so that you make your choice depending on your requirements. 

The guide below provides a detailed insight into what hay and straw are, the pros and cons of using the two as mulches as well as straw vs hay differences.  

What is Straw?

Straw mulch can be defined as a by-product of the plant material that is left after grains like rice, barley, or wheat are harvested. When it comes to hay vs straw, straw is fluffier than hay. Therefore, these hollow stalks are baled up in rectangular shapes that are used in many things like animal bedding as they are great insulating material, as cover for freshly planted grass seeds, and also as mulch for your vegetable garden. 

What is Hay?

Hay mulch refers to herbaceous plant material that has been cut while green, dried, and then made into squared or round bales to be stored as animal feed. Both straw and hay are mainly used as animal feed in times when no fresh grass is available as it is a rich source of sugar, fibre, and other nutrients. When you compare straw versus hay based on appearance, hay bale looks like a greenish coarse or fine grass with a sweet smell while straw has an almost exclusively yellow colour with just a hint of smell.

The quality of both straw and hay largely depends upon the skills of the farmer making the bales and the quality of hay straws he is using. Below we have provided a list of detailed difference between straw and hay, to help you get a better understanding of both these items.

Hay vs Straw- What is the difference

Even though they might appear identical at times straw vs hay do have their differences. Below we have provided the major difference between hay and straw in a tabular form for your understanding. 

Pros & Cons of Using Straw Mulch

Pros of Using Straw Mulch

Now that you have a basic understanding of straw vs hay differences. Understand the advantages as well as disadvantages of using straw as a mulch. The pros are:

• When straw mulch is used in gardens, it tends to remain lighter and fluffier than hay, maintaining its golden appearance for a long time.

• Straw mulch is a great insulator and the hollow stems retain air and the light, fluffy texture allows easy spreading.

• The surface of straw remains dry even as the lowest layers that are touching the soil begin to decompose. 

Cons of Using Straw Mulch

• Depending on where you reside, straw can be expensive to buy and you might not be able to grow it yourself.

• Due to its fluffy texture straw can also act as home to rodents.

• Straw tends to blow away in strong winds when it's first laid.

• Straw mulch takes longer to decompose and when it decomposes, straw adds fewer nutrients back into the soil. 

Pros and Cons of Using Hay Mulch 

Pros of Using Hay Mulch

In the straw versus hay discussion, take a look at some of the major pros or advantages of using hay mulch. These include:

• Hay is usually available easily and if you have a grassy area on your property, it is possible to get a scythe and cut your own.

• Hay is easier to use as it does not require to be baled. Just cut it, let it dry, and take it over where it is needed. Even long grass clippings can work the same way as hay.

• Hay is rich in plant nutrients as it contains a variety of grass and legumes and when it decomposes it adds significant nutrients to the soil to increase its fertility.

• Hay decomposes fairly quickly and also helps prevent erosion and leaching of nutrients.

Cons of Using Hay Mulch

• In moist regions or rainy climates, hay has a tendency to attract slugs and snails.

• When hay decomposes and is broken down by bacteria and other organisms that use nitrogen, it quickly depletes the soil of nitrogen.

Conclusion

Now that you understand the difference between straw and hay as well as the pros and cons of using them both as mulch for your garden, which one are you going to choose?

In the struggle to control weeds, add fertility and improve water retention of your soil, which is a better choice between hay vs straw. The answer depends on the needs of your garden, what you are planning to achieve as well as the climate you live in. 

Hopefully, the detailed insight into hay and straw provided above will help you make your decision. However, if you are still confused, taking guidance from experts like Mega Mulchers is a smart choice. Providing the best professional services like Mulch Blowing as well as Mulch Delivery, Mega Mulchers is your ultimate destination for all your garden and yard needs.