Go ahead and use the hay or straw whichever it is. It will loosen your soil, can be tilled in in the fall or spring and any "weeds" that come up as a result of your choice are easily pulled. The "weeds" that do grow will actually add beneficial nutrients to your soil as well. Happy gardening! ... View related article.
Try creeping dead nettle. Can't remember the botanical name. It is beautiful! Looks like it is glowing in shady areas, gets gorgeous purplish blue flowers in late spring early summer. I have grown this in full shade to mostly sunny areas and it does well. It spreads but is not invasive. If you want it gone, just pull it and it will stay gone. you won't want to pull it tho. It has green leaves with whitish areas almost like snow on the mountain only the leaves are "fuzzy". Hope this works. ... View related article.
I live in the woods of Minnesota. I use Milorganite. A very inexpensive pelletized fertilizer. Just sprinkle all around where you don't want deer and they will leave them alone! I reapply small amounts after a rain. I have also found that cayote urine works well too. You can find it at most nurseries and even hardware stores. I use the small plastic hangers with the cotton ball in it and this lasts for a solid month even with rain. Good luck ... View related article.
