Straw Bale Gardening

akarinz

8 years ago

Here is a picture of my first attempt with a straw bale garden. Has anyone else tried this?

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Comments (5)

tim45z10
8 years ago
How deep is the dirt?

Let's hope the hay does not seed.
Humsi
8 years ago
Very nice - I haven't tried this yet but I've been sorely tempted, just can't talk the husband into giving me more yard space than I'm already using with my raised beds. I do hope you'll keep us updated with your progress throughout the summer.
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Interesting article about Straw Bale Gardening
Q
Comments (5)
yep way to go, looks like the bloke is leveling and truing up?? can't see the point or purpose, just lay bales on the ground as straight as your eye can see, they will rot away generally within 12 months and those bales that rot away their space becomes path wee barrier. len Here is a link that might be useful: lens bale garden
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Straw Bale Gardening
Q
Comments (8)
Maryna, your cucumbers certainly do seem to like the straw mulch! The straw bale gardening, is actually when straw is kept wet for a period of time, causing it to heat up and kind of compost inside. Then you plant your seeds directly in the bale of straw instead of in the ground. The composted straw is great fertilizer and is warmer than the soil that the bale sits on. From what I've read, results are great! There's actually a book about it.. I bought one 4-5 years ago. Wish I had some straw, and the room in my yard, to give it a try! I put a link to a web site below, that explains it. Here is a link that might be useful: Straw Bale Gardening
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Straw Bale Gardening
Q
Comments (1)
I agree, let's start a forum on straw bale gardening. I just purchased ten bales of nice clean straw yesterday, April 10, 2015 and would like to know if I can put them out now even though it is far too early to plant as I am in zone 4 Wisconsin. It would certainly given them plenty of time to start composting. Is it necessary to follow the two week preparation period for the bales? or can they be set out now.
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Any one do straw bale gardening?
Q
Comments (5)
Well, hmmmm. The bales were placed over the low spot in my yard that tends to stay wet. I barely watered them. The plants look okay. Except I have 5 bales "abreast" of each other (long sides together). I believe the center bale got too hot. Those plants died early on. Production has been nearly non existent. Why? IDK, maybe too much nitrogen from the high nitrogen treatment used to prime the composting of the bales. My bales don't really seem to compost until late August. I don't think that concept works in Oklahoma heat and lack of rain. Maybe they were just planted too late. With big plants like tomatoes or potatoes, they put their roots down through the straw and do okay. I planted some flowers and herbs in the bales last year and they dried out too fast. I had 2 new beds this year that I didn't want to spend the money to put soil in. We tried the lasagna method, only DH really didn't entirely understand it. Our layers were not as thick as they should have been. Last years straw bales went on top as mulch I grew potatoes in them first. Not the best production. But the peppers, tomatillos, tomatoes and brassica plants have done quite well, I think their roots have gone down into the soil beneath the beds. As experiments go, this has worked better for me. I think we will continue to add to these beds, until they are as deep as the wood frames, but their production was just as good this year (except for potatoes) as any of my other beds. I do plan to do some more experimenting with strawbales this fall. I may use some to create the walls of a cold frame. At this point it's a question of how to keep the chickens out of whatever I plant.
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gyr_falcon
8 years ago
No, haven't grown them this way, although I have read about it. Could you keep us updated as to how it works out for you? I have to garden above ground, and the bales are more attractive than the array of pots I am currently using.
akarinz
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Things I have noticed so far. In doing the prep work on it, giving it high nitrogen and keeping wet, didn't seem to do the internal composting as it was suppose to. I even added an extra week.

The soil is actually only where the plants are planted. Dug out the straw, added soil and put the plants in.

Since I don't see how the plant will get enough of its nutritional needs met, I think I am going to have to keep an eye on the plants and fertilize (organic) on a regular bases. I do have one tomato already and several strawberries and the plants look good so far.

The straw does seed a bit, but it is so minor, it's easy to keep up with.
wcgypsy
8 years ago
I've thought about it also since I have a long strip of paved area on the south side of the house. I also am doing strawberries, green beans, etc in pots and have recently cannibalized my trailer from my riding mower. It wasn't needed here and holds a lot of soil where my squashes will be planted this next month...not pretty, but think "urban recycle"...and on an area where I would not be able to grow anything. I saw an article recently in Fine Gardening in which 4 bales were used leaving a center 'hole' which was then filled with soil....the bales were given a good soaking and hit with fertilizer, nitrogen which also helps them to start disintegrating a bit to be more receptive to planting...the bales cost @$7 and the additional stuff that was added brought the total cost up to $98. Unless you can get the bales for free and use manure, etc instead of the items that were purchased for the setup, I did not think it cost effective...great idea, but unless you can do it on the cheap, I won't be doing it. If someone gives me bales of straw tomorrow, then I will do it....I do like the idea....let us know how it goes for you...

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Straw Bale Gardening

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tim45z10

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Straw Bale Gardening

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tim45z10

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akarinz
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