darcy714 -
I used hay for a path last year instead of bark mulch. Also used it to grow potatoes in. This year will grow spuds in a wire "cage" and use hay to fill it as the plant grows. . .

I would agree with what rosebush said. It works fine as a mulch around strawberries or perennial beds too if you like the look of it, and is fine for mulch on the sides of raised beds or on paths.

Depending on how big a "load" of hay is, you might want to investigate "haybale gardening" where you grow plants on a thin layer of soil on top of haybales. You can get more information by searching under that phrase. As I recall, I first found it in "Market Gardening." I tried it last year and was pleased with the rssults.

I have tons of old hay in my old barn(came with the property when we bought it 3 years ago) and I was afraid to use it because I was told that hay contain lots of weed seeds. Is that true? If it is, won't they germinate in your veggie beds?