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To plant seedlings — tomato, pepper, eggplant and greens — make a gap or divot in the top of the bale and set the roots in place. Fill in around the roots with a good-quality, peat-based potting soil, ensuring that the seedlings are well-seated and level with the surface of the bale.
How do you condition a hay bale for gardening?
Place bale with cut end facing up. Bales placed on wooden pallets allows for drainage. Place the bale(s) in a sunny location receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It is recommended to place the bale(s) at least 2 weeks prior to the optimum plant date to allow for conditioning of the bale(s).
Can you plant seeds directly into straw bales?
There’s no soil required when it’s time to plant in a conditioned straw bale – unless you’re sowing small seeds. Crops like carrots, radishes, and lettuce will be better off if you lay a thin layer of sterile soilless mix over the top of the bale and cover the seeds with a light dusting of the mix.
How many plants can you plant in a straw bale?
Planting Vegetables in Straw Bales Each bale can be planted with the following number of vegetable plants: Tomatoes: 2 to 3 plants per bale. Peppers: 4 plants per bale. Squash: 2 to 4 plants per bale.
What fertilizer do you use for straw bale gardening?
Use a ½ cup of a complete garden fertilizer or three cups of an organic fertilizer like Milorganite®. Then completely moisten the bale. The organic fertilizer feeds the microorganisms that help decompose the straw into a nutrient rich planting medium. Thoroughly soak the bale every day.
How do you prepare hay bales for planting?
The first week Water the bale thoroughly, until water runs out the bottom of the bale. Sprinkle the surface with a nitrogen source (see box), applying at the recommended rate. Every other day, add more of the nitrogen source; water thoroughly. On the days you don’t apply nitrogen, just water the bales thoroughly.
What is the difference between straw and hay?
Hay is a crop that is grown and harvested as a feed crop for cattle, horses and other farm animals. Straw on the other hand is a byproduct of a grain crop; in our area it’s usually usually wheat straw that we see. Hay often is made up of a combination of different plants growing in a field or meadow.
Can you grow potatoes in hay bales?
Hay or straw bales make an excellent garden for your potatoes. This method of growing potatoes is ideal for those with limited space or whose soil is unsuitable for growing.
How do you plant hay seeds?
If you want to grow your garden from seed, put three inches of potting soil or top soil on top of the bales. Plant your seeds in the soil. If you are using seedlings to start your garden, you do not need to put potting soil on top of the bale. Plant seedlings by driving a trowel into the bale.
Is hay good for tomato plants?
Golden straw and wheat straw are good choices. Stay away from feed hay, as this is full of weed seeds. layer of straw around your tomatoes, but avoid touching the stems or leaves of plants since this can increase the likelihood of fungal problems.
What can I do with straw bales?
Straw bales make a great decorative option for seating or for stylizing any event. Use them for aisle seating at a wedding, even bench or table seating. They can be placed in half-circle seating around a fire pit for quality time this fall. Stack them by your front door for a festive fall vibe.
How long do straw bales last outside?
How long do straw bales last outside? If you keep your bales out of the elements, especially moisture, they can last for years. However, if allowed to absorb moisture and heat, as would happen with a straw bale garden or planter, for example, hay bales will begin to break down and only last for one growing season.
Will carrots grow in straw bales?
Growing carrots in a hay bale is an easy way to create a garden even if you have very little space. All you need is a bale of hay and a sunny place to set it, a few carrot seeds and some water, and you’re ready to grow. Carrots love cool weather, so they fare best in the early spring or in the fall.
Does straw bale gardening really work?
As the straw breaks down over the course of the summer, it turns into compost that feeds your plants. They Work: You can have huge success with growing vegetables in straw bales. Although you have to stay on top of watering, compared to other container gardens, the bales do retain water pretty well.
How do you condition a straw bale with blood meal?
Use 3 cups of organic fertilizer per bale or ½ cup ammonium nitrate. A high nitrogen fish emulsion or blood meal would be good choices. Water thoroughly on days 2, 4 and 6. Apply fertilizer on days 7, 8 and 9 using 1 ½ cups of organic fertilizer per bale or ¼ cup ammonium nitrate.
When should I put straw in my garden?
Straw will compost pretty quickly in most garden settings. Check the depth of the layer in between rows after about six weeks. You’ll probably need to add another layer, to the depth of 2 or 3 inches (5-8 cm.), to help keep the weeds down and moisture in the soil during the hottest part of summer.
