How We Use Hay Mulch to Build Healthy, Resilient Orchards at Mad Cat Farm

We’re always looking for ways to work with nature to build healthy, resilient (and productive) ecosystems. One practice we’re experimenting with is cutting hay between our tree rows and using it as mulch to nourish the soil, suppress weeds, and support our trees.

Why Use Hay Mulch?

Hay is full of organic matter that helps keep the soil moist, suppresses weeds, and slowly feeds the soil as it breaks down. By recycling hay biomass right where our trees grow, we mimic natural forest processes and build a richer, more vibrant orchard ecosystem.

While ramial wood chip mulch would be the ideal material to mulch tree rows, we do not have access to enough material for that purpose. However, producing hay mulch is something within reach of any agroforestry system.

An Ibex drum mower is used to lay biomass in windrows to later be raked for mulch.

Our Process

We let the grasses and wild plants grow between our tree rows until they reach a mature height. Peak lushness and biomass happens in early May here. We aim to cut the hay before the grasses reach senescence and begin to dry down, since green, weighty material works better than dry. Our goal is not to make hay to bale. Instead, we want heavy mulch that can weigh down weeds when raked into the tree rows.

Then we cut the hay and rake it around the base of each tree, spreading it in a thick layer. This “chop and drop” method focuses nutrients into the tree rows with minimal disturbance.

In order to rake the mulch far enough, we use an Ibex belt rake. In addition to a drum mower, the process of mowing and raking can be done efficiently at scale. In keeping with syntropic methods, the focus is on keeping organic matter cycling in the orchard system.

What We’re Learning

Because this is still an experiment, we’re paying close attention and adjusting our approach as we go. So far, we’ve noticed:

• Better soil moisture retention during dry spells

• Fewer weeds growing where the mulch is thick enough

• Softer, richer soil developing as the hay decomposes

• Adequate hay is necessary, otherwise the weeds grow straight through the mulch

On a small scale, backyard growers could use elecampane, comfrey Bocking 14, or Giant Miscanthus grass as mulch material. Cutting by hand and using the "chop and drop" method to cycle nutrients to individual fruit trees.

A sufficiently mulched tree completely smothers weeds.

Insufficient hay material results in inadequate mulch, which does nothing to stop weed pressure.

An Ongoing Experiment

At Mad Cat Farm, we strive for systems that achieve radical resilience. Using hay mulch within tree rows is one simple, natural practice helping us grow stronger, healthier trees—and we’re excited to continue learning and sharing our progress.

Mulch ready to be raked into the tree rows.

A completed mulched tree row.