For all of you in drought areas,

I put straw down - 6" - in my veggie garden 3 days ago. I watered with a soaker hose (drip type made of recycled tire rubber) the night before, then spread the straw in the morning. I gently tucked straw under the plants, even under the bean plant branches, and between the rows (almost no soil is showing. I didn't, however, try to put straw between the bean plants within the row, just on the sides. I put the straw over the soaker hose, as suggested by Armadillo.

I have not had to water yet, and my plants are going nuts! Amazing growth and no more yellowing or wilting. Half of my wax bean and green bean plants were pale green and not growing. This morning they are much darker green and have many new leaves and blossoms.

I spent $2.50 for a bale of straw and solved the drought problem - what a bargain!!

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Stormy