What kind of straw? Where would I get it?
Wheat straw. It might not be easily available in metropolitan areas and areas outside the mid West. In my area, it runs about $3-$4 for a 50-60 lb bale picked up at the farmers barn. Try Craigslist searching the farm category in your area.
I’m sure others have tried other mulches. I just don’t know what else is used. I would think that hay would rot and be moldy if used.
I live in the middle of wheat/corn/soy bean country so I get wheat straw- it helps to have a friendly farmer- NOTE= hay is full of seeds. Don’t use that for the mulch- I did once and learned the hard way. I always added mulch as the plants grew to get the depth needed, same as hilling the plant but using mulch instead of soil.