Drought Tolerant Front Yard - Converting Lawn to Soil

Step 6 Lay out Straw, and Water

Now, cut the ties from your first bale of straw and begin to lay it out, a flake at a time, on your cardboard. Fluff it up and try to create an even layer. If you have lots of straw, make thick layers - you can't go wrong. This will also break down and become part of your new soil.
When you're done with your swath, water the straw. Get it WET. You're beginning the decomposition process with the watering.