Mulch under squashes?

[1Bee]

I want to put a mulch under the growing pumpkins and crown prince squashes I have, but I don't know where I can get some straw... (please don't say ask a farmer, we live next to several, but I'd never have the nerve!) so I was wondering what else I might use?

Any recommendations, please?

Thanks.

[WendyC]

Do you have a pet shop nearby, or a garden centre with a pet department. That's usually where I usually buy straw. Some people on my plot seem to just put a piece of wood underneath each fruit, just to lift them off the wet soil.

[1Bee]

Gotcha. I'll look out for pet straw, and use wood in the mean time.

[Martin H]

Our local Poundstretcher has a pets section where they sell bags of bedding straw quite reasonably priced (can't remember how much).

[bario1]

If you have an equestrian supplies shop nearby (google it), they'll sell a bale of straw for £3 usually. I use a piece of wood under my squashes, but straw is handy stuff to have around anyway....

[alldigging]

Ring up and ask..

There's a kennels/cattery near us with a sign outside saying its for sale.

[roitelet]

Vie ised a stras much underground mine to conserve the moisture but have put wood under the squashes. The straw gets wet and can harbour slugs. If you have it a piece of slate is even better as it doesn't hold moisture.