I am using straw from the dog bed palace I built in the barn last winter on my garden. Once it gets wet it doesn't blow around. I am a little leery because there was talk on the Okla forum about herbicide residues. I am using it anyway because I can't keep up with the weeds. Break up the sections and spread around, then hose it down.

You can also hose it down in the bale and wait a few days; it will then break apart in flakes and lay flat easier. That is what I do with some old hay I use.

Helen, its getting to where nothing we use is safe! I finally just put it out of my mind and do what I have to do.