anyone doing any gardening?

[csziggy]

7. Are the stems in the bales big and yellowish?

If so, it is straw. Hay in Central Florida is usually a pale greenish yellow with very fine stems.

Hay raised in Florida is generally a Bahia or Bermuda grass - and you really don't want those in your garden. The roots tend to spread as much or more than the seeds and can take over the plot.

Straw is better - usually it is oat, wheat or rye stalks after the grains have been harvested, so there will be less chance it will sprout and try to take over your garden.

Be prepared to mulch or get more aggressive if you start seeing grass come up in the spring. You won't see it yet - pasture and hay grass tends to grow with longer days and warmer nights.

I am no longer keeping up with gardening, but as a previous horse breeder, I do know my hays and straws.