We use straw for mulching in the garden, & it breaks down over the course of the summer. I'm not sure what if any toxic chemicals might be on straw-maybe we should stop using it? In the fall, I use our lawnmower to shred the maple tree leaves, and this material works great for mulching the raspberry patch. I'm sure it would work on the garden, as well.

Here is a post on Soil and Composting that may shed some light.

Here is a link that might be useful: herbicides

Ask the farmer what spray he used on the crops, I know I keep records of herbicide applications.

Lloyd

Wayne - that's what I'm talkin 'bout. Now, what does that leave me with to cover my strawberries, seeing as how I shop at the Big Box stores or local feed and seed.

Usually straw has no toxic chemicals in it but the decomposition of straw (and any other cellulose) IN soil (if plowed) is made by anaerobic bacteria which give toxin botulinum. This toxin is not stable and decomposes itself during 1 year. It don't penetrate in tissues of plants.
So, it's not large risk.
More important that carbon in straw bounds nitrogen.
Usually straw is used as "carbohydrate" fertilizer for legumnous plants such as pea. Soil shall be very good on next 2-3 years after combination straw+pea.

The link raises another question. It says the treated material can only be used in the "feed lot". What are they feeding? Dairy, beef? So the manure can't be trusted, as well as the cheese Gromit! Who's the wiz that came up with this one, Monsanto?

joyfuljan,

I suppose that strawberries in zone 7 really don't need straw to winterize them. The straw can be useful for moisture retention and keeping berries off the soil though.

Also, strawberries may not be affected anyway by any herbicide residuals on straw. There may be a fair chance that no herbicide was used anyway.

Many things are not certain certain I reckon.

anoid1 - growing up on a farm we used straw for bedding and hay for feed. Seems like city folk want to use the word straw as provender when they mean hay. But then commercial growers feed those poor critters everything now from donuts to newspaper! And let us not get started on road kill/Mad cow disease . . .

As far as you options I would say buy direct from the farm
use leaves or a non degradeable material not optimal
buy organic straw or hay

Also call the local feed mill and ask what farmers are using in general in your area