Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

maybe a stupid idea but with hot weather again, would I be wise or stupid placing pea straw mulch on my gravel growbeds. they are bell siphons

I can't see why not, would shade the gravel and not get wet as the water wouldn't come up enough to wet the mulch, only downside could be hidey spot for pests?

thanks Graf, pests shouldnt be much of a problem I usually have a load of salt around the stands all over the ground, seems to keep slugs and snails away.

If you use Pea Straw you will get a crop of peas (seeds fall through)

better than potato straw then hmmm rock melon straw, old vines that would be nice.

You'll probably find it does actually get wet from condensation and worms will get into it. Getting it out would be a pain and you don't really want to add plant matter to the media.
My opinion is that it is a stoopid idea.. Well you asked...
Gunna puts insulation batts on his beds, hopefully he can chime in. Shading the beds would be the best idea. Remember that with evaporation comes refrigeration.