I've been composting used straw from a small chicken coop and have run out of room in my composters. One thought was to put the straw into black garbage bags and then stack them in that weed-infested garden spot. In the fall or next spring, hopefully all of those weeds would be choked out and I could turn the composted straw into the bed.

Am I on the right track?

Thank you for affirming my idea. I am new to gardening. I will cut or pull what weeds I can and put them into compost. The rest I will choke with mulch.

Your plan will work & in spring don't till much, just part the straw & plant. That way you won't bring weed seeds to the surface to germinate. For sure there are weed seeds in the soil, but by putting your compost ingredients on top you're creating a weed free space. As you know chickens are pretty good at removing any seeds in straw, so any that sprout from the straw will be easy to pull.

Essentially you're sheet mulching an old practice that still works very well. We've done it for years spreading partially composted manures on the beds in fall. It is helpful to reclaim land for gardening. In the early years do not till it, but keep mulching. After 2 growing seasons you may want to till in the spring. Your soil will be amazing! Weeds are few with mulch applied.

Why pull weeds when you can smother them? I know it's not traditional agricultural methods, but it works!

Will do! Thanks Corrine. My project has begun and I'm excited to know what might grow next year.

I don't want the straw to blow all over, certainly not into neighbor's yards. I have read how to compost in garbage bags, adding holes and turning them frequently. That was my plan.

The only thing that has ever worked better for me is using a sod cutter before turning it over.

or cover with burlap bags, old sheet, cardboard

if it is too dry to keep the cardboard down put rocks, bricks, or planters in corners

Have you found when moving a container the worms have gathered under it & soil is moist? That's what you create when you cover the layers.

soon the rain will come...

Then after planting I added old straw. I have had the best garden ever and the least weeds ever!

Sheet mulch works great!