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When starting a Ruth Stout garden, the easiest mistake is assuming that laying some hay mulch on the ground will act as an instant fix, and you’ll never have to dig or till again.
For best results, Ruth Stout recommended preparing the garden in late summer or fall. This allows the hay mulch to break down and become compost, suppress weeds, and keep the soil warm enough for an early spring sowing.
Traditionally, Ruth Stout used old, spoiled hay to mulch her garden. But if you can’t get your hands on spoiled hay, you can use regular hay, as well as a mixture of old leaves, straw, grass or lawn clippings, pine needles, and vegetable kitchen scraps.