Newyorkrita and stone, thanks for the feedback.
I called TSC today. They said the hay was bermuda and the cost was $8.49 a bale. I'll pass. I'm still pondering the idea of pine bark from the harvested pine plantation across the road. Go down with some newspaper and then the bark on top of it? It would be a chore getting it up, but would the effort be worth it for the paths? I'll be putting in the drip-tape soon (man, I wish we would get some rain...it keeps teasing us!!!). It would be nice to get it underneath some mulch...probably will be pine straw. This fall I will definitely be gathering leaves. And...I still haven't checked in with the local town's street department about what they might have... Ah well, Rome wasn't built in a day, but I'd like a buffer over that dirt before the hot southern sun comes back out with it searing heat.<sigh>
As for grass clippings...I'm scared of them. We live basically in the middle of a bahia grass hayfield and that (along with other things) is what our yard is. I've pulled so much grass out of the tilled garden area that I'm so afraid of putting grass clippings back into it. I'm definitely no landscaper nor much of a yardman...I mow the grass so I can find the house when I turn into the driveway so the grass usually goes to seed in some spots before it's mowed. Ah well, when I get the drip-tape laid down, maybe I can start scrounging for organic material.
Btw, when I planted the tomatoes I left the leaves that I trimmed off laying where they fell...that's ok, isn't it?
stone, I'm glad you said that about the pigweed (red spiny down here...OUCH!!). I recall about 18 years ago when I started a garden and hauled in some peanut hay for mulch...man, I had pigweed growing *everywhere*!!!! Must've been a plant or two in the bale I got.<groan> I'll keep it in mind if some sprout in the garden...but it'll be gone before it goes to seed!!!!
And yes, being in the south I've *got* to grow some watermelons.
Ed
