The guide also shows how to plant and nurture vegetation, improve soils, and reduce the use of pesticides. The guide contains 35 pages of recommended plants, from grasses to trees, with color photos. The list notes growing characteristics, attractiveness, fire hazard ratings, and whether the plants are native or adapted to this area. One chapter offers guidance on maintaining a natural backyard forest. A chapter on pest control warns against using straw to control erosion.
Straw bales contain exotic weed seeds.
Some of those weeds are just annoying. But some, like tall whitetop, are dangerously invasive and will take over. For decades, complaints about the use of hay bales were ignored. It's nice to see that the dangers of using straw are finally recognized. There are nine more very useful chapters, a glossary, and a list of references.