Home › Forums › Over the Fence › Inspired Design

Hay for a path?

OverKnight's picture

Hay for a path? (post #16476)

OverKnight on Sat, 03/13/2010 - 13:17
in

Hi, first post here...

 

I recently built a shed near my house, and there's now a lot of traffic between the shed and house.  There used to be grass, but now it's just dirt, and grass is no longer an option.  This winter, the path got so muddy, it made use of the shed very difficult.  I had the idea to spread some hay on the path, and it's worked really well.  Over a month later, it still works well at isolating the mud from my shoes, and actually, I like how it looks.  Although I realize it will have to be replenished a few times a year, is hay  a good long-term option for a path surface?  I've never heard of anyone doing this.  I can get bales for around $3.00 each, and it took less than two bales to cover everything I needed to.  The only problem I've had with the hay is when I used my snowthrower on it; the hay quickly wrapped itself around the auger, so next time, I'll use the dozer blade on my tractor.

 

Thank you.

-A +A
LIBugGuy's picture

For a temporary path maybe (post #16476, reply #1 of 5)

by LIBugGuy in reply to OverKnight [original] on Sat, 03/13/2010 - 22:31

but I'd think it breakds down too quickly to be a permanent solution.

Around here, woodchips can be had for free from the utility company or from tree services, and make a prety good path, which only has to be replenteshed every couple years. (plus it won't jam your snow thrower)

If you still prefer the look of hay, consider that it tends to have plenty of seed, so you might want to avoid Timothy hay and use oat straw instead.

Where I have seen straw used is as a path/mulch in a vegitable garden, where it gets turned under at the end of the season

Selling plants from the Orange box, and doing a little garden work on the side.

LI, NY, almost zone 7, but it's been warmer of late :)

OverKnight's picture

Thanks for the tips.  I've (post #16476, reply #2 of 5)

by OverKnight in reply to LIBugGuy [original] on Sun, 03/14/2010 - 09:26

Thanks for the tips.  I've used mulch in the past, but it's not as clean as the hay.  Dirt seems to fall through (or get rinsed off) of the upper layers.  I've used hay as mulch in the past, and unless it's tilled into the soil, it doesn't break down very quickly.

 

Thanks again.

swmogardens's picture

pine needles (post #16476, reply #3 of 5)

by swmogardens in reply to OverKnight [original] on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 12:16

I  have never tried hay. I have used pine needles with good results. 

God talked with man in Eden's shade. Christ sought a garden when He prayed.
PreviewAttachmentSize
100_4288.jpg
100_4288.jpg179.05 KB
StorageShedSmart's picture

Use small stones or bricks (post #16476, reply #4 of 5)

by StorageShedSmart in reply to OverKnight [original] on Sun, 04/04/2010 - 15:13

Considering that hay wraps itself around the auger,  I think small stones or bricks would be better as a permanent solution to your pathway. I suggest you use any of these for a natural looking path and keep the mud out of your shoes.

___________

Mary Henderson

Publisher, http://www.storagesheds360.com

 

Noel-in-England's picture

Hay-good - Straw - maybe better. (post #16476, reply #5 of 5)

by Noel-in-England in reply to StorageShedSmart [original] on Tue, 11/02/2010 - 10:26

Hay is what we call, over here--- the cut & dried meadow grass. It then gets fed to the Cattle & Horses

Straw is what's left over from the cut Wheat/Barley/Oats.  This is what we then use as Animal bedding.  Straw is tougher than Hay. 

Try - Straw.