Julia,

The type of hay matters as some are more weedy than others.

You can think of hay or any organic mulch for that matter this way....your hay grew somewhere and took minerals and nutrition from that soil and energy from the sun and that energy is now looked up in that hay. When you apply the hay to your garden and it rots it releases that nutrition that energy back in to your garden. The hay also will improve the tilth of the soil and that is something people sometimes overlook.

Other benefits of the hay are erosion control, it buffers the rain drops and keeps the soil in place. It keeps the soil from splashing up on the plants that can cause disease problems.

I would just lay it on top, spread it out as you will be surprised that a bale does not go that far.

It will help hold moisture in the soil.
You probably got coastal hay which is a bermuda grass.
Look for LOTS of weeds to grow when you use it.
I had horses and my husband loved the manure but hated if he got hay in the garden.

This is from the University of Florida:
Mulch
Mulching refers to organic or inorganic material that can be used in your garden or landscape in areas that are hard to maintain or prone to erosion.

Mulching has many benefits:
reduces water loss due to evaporation
prevents run-off and erosion
reduces weeds
moderates the soil temperature

How to get mulch
Recycle your yard trimmings

Grass clippings, leaves/pine needles, and tree trimmings can all be chopped up and reused rather than thrown away. This free mulch is the most environmentally sound and lest expensive way of return nutrients to the soil. If you have more than you need, share with a neighbor!

Yard waste that is collected, grinded and mulched for residents.

Free mulch is available at Recycling Facilities.

Purchase bagged mulch

Mulch can be purchased at most home improvement stores and nurseries. To determine how many bags you may need, consult the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Workbook Maximize Mulch section.

SAY NO TO CYPRESS MULCH

The harvesting of these trees for mulch degrades cypress wetlands. Despite bag labels, while old growth cypress trees develop natural resistance to pests, this resistance is not formed in younger trees, the trees more commonly shredded for mulch.

How to use mulch
Mulching is one of the easiest steps in maintaining your garden or landscape as well as provide an element of color and texture to compliment your plantings.

Add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around plants and trees. Be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the base of the plants and tree trunks to prevent rotting
Replenish the mulch once or twice a year to maintain the 2-3 inch depth.
Beware mulching the trimmings from invasive-exotic species because it may spread the seeds.
Never throw excess clippings or mulch down the storm drain. This can facilitate the migration of plant species and clog drains.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mulching has many benefits

HAY Julia!!! Next time you should ask for straw it has less weedy complications. I learned the hard way. I like to use wet paper first around my tomato plants,then Bahai grass clippings or straw. It all breaks down nicely but for the season it keeps weeds down.
have fun
tanya

Thanks everyone. That's what I will probably be doing this weekend in the beautiful weather!

I did most of my garden this weekend. I still have a lot left over since I've got a small garden. Thanks for all of the tips!