used straw for mulch, should i leave it or take it up?

  Used straw for mulch in vegetable garden (15 bales) worked real well, now
 garden is finished, should I leave it to hopefully break down over winter,
 then deal with what is left in spring? Was thinking to pick up some manure
 and spread over garden. Would I have to remove straw to do that. TIA

 gaffer@theShire.org wrote:

Why did you spread straw?  Straw doesn't make very good mulch, it
certainly won't keep weeds from sprouting, it will encourage weeds.
Folks spread straw on newly seeded areas to help keep birds from
getting to the seed.  Folks also place straw at the base of plants to
help keep rain from splashing mud to the undersides of leaves, keeps
mold and mildew from forming... also good under tomato plants for
those who don't stake or cage, gives the fruit a dry clean resting
place.  But spreading 15 bales of straw on bare ground over winter is
purely an exercise is sillyness.  15 bales is a lot of hay, no point
in picking it up, instead put it to some use, till it in.

 gaffer@theShire.org wrote:

What is to deal with?  Just let it rot and improve the soil.

 Was thinking to

Why pick it up?  Put manure over the top.  Let it all rot together.

D

 

Put down manure, and then cover with new straw to avoid NH3 from
escaping.

<http://www.composting101.com/c-n-ratio.html>
Scientists (yes, there are compost scientists) have determined that the
fastest way to produce fertile, sweet-smelling compost is to maintain a
C:N ratio somewhere around 25 to 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen, or
25-30:1. If the C:N ratio is too high (excess carbon), decomposition
slows down. If the C:N ratio is too low (excess nitrogen) you will end
up with a stinky pile.

This is true for mulching as well.

Good luck.
--
- Billy

E pluribus unum

 Why did you spread straw?
Spread Straw early Summer to use as a mulch arround vegetables.

Straw doesn't make very good mulch, it
certainly won't keep weeds from sprouting, it will encourage weeds.
My experience was the opposite..........it worked well keeping weed from
growing - I used the straw mostly arround tomatoes and peppers,  the soil
stayed damp and the weeds did not grow.

I'm open to sugestions, I chose the straw because it was cheap.