mulch ado about nothing

[rainbowbrite]

help me people

ok so i desperatly want to mulch my veg which is looking nice and fab and i think would benefit. the problem is i don't know what to use i think i have 3 options

rabbit hutch leftovers, i'm just talking hay and sawdust not the poo!!

compost which hasn't composted yet

really long grass which has been dried out

as you can probably tell i'm a bit clueless, please help

[heebiejeebie]

I mulched with pet hay once before and it started to sprout!

[rainbowbrite]

oh dear, so the pet hay is a no go then (damn, i was hoping i could use it since i have so much) what about the grass or compost, will they be safe do you reckon?

[heebiejeebie]

Personally, I'd not use the long grass in case there were seeds in it. I suspect that was the trouble with the hay. Grass clippings are fine from regular mowing, I think. If you're using not-quite-ready compost, make sure it isn't touching the plant stems as I believe it can damage the plants.

For mulching, I use straw, newspaper or cardboard. More often than not I just don't bother - it keeps the weeds at bay but provides hiding places for the slugs!

[rustylady]

Personally, I would be putting the rabbit hutch cleanings (including the poo) on the compost heap. Grass cuttings can be used as a mulch, although if your veg is looking good anyway, you shouldn't need to mulch.