I use landscape fabric and then top it with straw or hay as it gets too hot under the fabric alone in mid-summer down here.

Dave

{{gwi:8327}}

I'm in VA, so it can get plenty hot here in the summer.

Any idea where a cheap source of straw would be?

Last year I spread a couple layers of newspaper and then covered them with grass clippings and chopped leaves. That will turn into compost itself and feed the soil at the same time.

Any idea where a cheap source of straw would be?

If out in the country you can often find farmers with left over bales of either hay or straw they will sell cheap or even give away. Otherwise check any farm & feed stores but most of the time they only have it in the fall. We grow our own but many buy up bales in the fall to use the following spring. Same goes for shredded leaves - bag them in the fall to use the following year.

Lost of other suggestions for good mulches over on the Soil, Compost & Mulch forum here.

Dave

You can also use pine straw.
Down here in GA we have plenty of it and its the widely used landscaping and gardening mulch.
I rake my own, which is mixed with maple leaves. Good thing is that
they will break down easyily and will work as soil amendment.

I also plant my tomatoes, peppers, egplants... a bit closer than most people.
This way their own shade help to keep the soil cooler too.

Is alfalfa hay ok? Straw is hard to come by for me and afraid to use Bermuda hay because I don't want Bermuda anywhere near my garden.
I'll be using some pine straw but might not have enough.
I'm in Phoenix area.

Alfalfa is very rich in nutrient and should be fine. At the end of season you can till it in. But with most hays you may get a lot of unwanted seeds, ie weeds.

Alfalfa hay is great. Usually costs more but if you can get a good deal on it - perfect. The secret to weed control is to lay it on 6" thick.

Dave