Did you know that straw bale gardening is an easy and affordable way to grow vegetables? It has many of the same benefits as traditional raised bed gardens, but uses decomposing straw instead.
If your soil gives problems for some reason or another then this could be just what you need!
Here are 10 extraordinary tips to straw bale gardening!
1. Use straw bales
There are two varieties of bales: straw and hay. Straw is the byproduct from grains, containing only hollowed out stems including wheat, barley oats.
You can purchase them at a garden center or buy directly from farmers (careful as they break down quickly). Hay Bales contain various dried grasses which make it cheaper than its counterpart; however you should be aware that these types may not last as long before degradation sets in.
2. Position bales
Lay a few layers of newspaper or weed block fabric under the place you will putt your bales in order to prevent weeds from coming up through them.
Place bale on top old garden soil, where it can help keep moisture levels low and out for as long as possible – just remember that wetness may damage decks if they’re wooden ones!
3. Twine
Hold bales with two or three strands of twine and keep the load in its telltale shape. Ensure that you don’t sever any so it can fall apart more easily! Line up your stretched out bundles carefully, making sure they’re parallel to one another on their narrow sides facing down for maximum stability.
4. Condition bales for growing
One of the most important steps is prepping, or conditioning. You will need approximately 2 bales per square foot for growing!
When it comes to preparing bales for growing, the most important step is prepping. This will take around 2 weeks and can be done in stages depending on how fast you want your yield! The key to doing this is simple: watch and wait until temperature of the bales stabilizes.
Day 1-3: Watering the bales is a crucial first step to making sure they stay happy and healthy. To water, simply pour liquid over them until it runs out of sight!
Day 4-6: Soak the bales in a bathtub filled with water, then sprinkle one cup of high nitrogen fertilizer (like lawn fertilizers or urea) across their tops. This will help give them an extra kick start!
Day 7-9: Mixing a little fertilizer and water into each bale is the key to growing healthy plants.
Day 10 until complete: Stop fertilizing and continue with watering.
Bales of straw are ready when they are as warm to touch as your body temperature. It’s the best time for them!
5. Planting
Make sure you use a garden towel to punch holes in the top of your straw bale and then plant seedlings one per hole according to spacing recommendations.
After that, cover them up with peat-based potting soil before sowing those seeds into the soil.
6. Vegetables to avoid
Top heavy plants like corn are best to leave for in-ground gardens. As they grow taller, the bales can topple over especially if there’s not enough structural weight holding them up so it’s safest to avoid these types of plant with perennial roots (including: rhubarb and raspberries).
7. Keep well watered
Straw bales are a great way to create your very own backyard garden. They’ll dry out quickly though, so remember to water regularly! Soaker hose or drip irrigation will save you time spent on watering.
8. Mushrooms
Mushrooms mean that your straw bale is also growing well, and can be picked off or just leave them on if you want. They might not taste great but they’re harmless!
9. Fertilizer
It is important to regularly fertilize straw bales so that plants will grow well and produce fruit. Add an application of water soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks after planting, or once they begin fruiting in order for your plants’ needs are met.
10. Compost
You can leave your bales of straw to break down over winter before spreading it in the spring. The rich, fertile compost will fill flowerbeds and add nutrients for plants!