Im always trying somthing new , last summer i grew patatoes in much hay i had left over from winter that had gotten damp. i put a about a ft thick layer on the ground,put the patatoes in{ i planted them heavy} then coverd it with a layer of mulch hay about 1/2 ft just enough to make a good covering.. it worked great! now weeds no hilling, i didnt have to water them, they produced pretty good for planting them late. gathering them was a brezze.{ we have clay dirt here and digging is a pain in the butt.. no digging!!!!!we just pulled up the old plants and picked patatoes. and they were clean....extra bouns.. gonna plant a large patch this year like that,, Rose