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How do you start a hay bale garden?
Tips for Straw Bale Gardening Use straw, not hay. Hay is made from alfalfa and grasses that still have the seeds attached, and these seeds will turn into weeds when they germinate and sprout. Locate the garden near a water source. Solarize the bales. Use short plants. Plant in full sun. Avoid pooling water.
How do you condition a straw 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).
When should I start a hay bale garden?
You can start a straw bale garden in the early fall, but spring is the best time to plant vegetables.
How do you grow vegetables in a hay bale?
There’s an easy way to test any bale to feel confident that it will be safe for your plants. It’s called a bioassay test. Chop a little of the material into small pieces, add it to some potting mix, and plant 3 small containers with pea or bean seeds. Then, plant 3 small containers using just the potting mix.
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.
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.
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.
What can I use to condition straw bales?
Fertilizer and water are the chief ingredients used to condition the bales. Joel recommends lawn fertilizer, blood meal or Milorganite®. Do not use “fresh” manure. He also recommends putting the fertilizer in a plastic container with holes punched in it to distribute the fertilizer evenly.
Is hay or straw better for garden?
I’ve seen such tenacious perennial weeds like thistle come into a garden as a result of their seeds hiding inside a bale of hay. Straw on the other hand, is much better for use as a garden mulch. Since wheat and other grain crops are so competitive in a field, they suppress the growth of many weeds.
Can you grow carrots in straw bales?
To grow carrots in straw bales, is simply a matter of cutting a trench or 2 down the length of the bale. Part the straw to form a ‘V’ shape and fill in with compost. Thinly sprinkle a line of seeds down the track and lightly cover over with compost. Water in the seeds and cover with garden fleece.
Can I use old straw for mulch?
Don’t use your leftover straw bale as mulch; it will only present you with nasty weeds next planting season. Instead, use them to actually grow a garden. It is better to compost them first, in a nice, hot compost bin, to kill the weed seeds. Dec 13, 2017.
What veggies can you grow in hay bales?
We have successfully grown zucchini and cucumbers in a single line of straw bales, planting one plant in each bale and training the plant to drape towards the ground. Strawberries love straw bales, and as they are not an annual, we will replant them into new bales when the old bales rot down too far.
Can you grow tomatoes in hay bales?
Growing tomatoes in hay bales is the most inexpensive way to get delicious fresh homegrown tomatoes. It is also the best solution for many problems such as small-sized garden and poor quality soil. It also allows gardening lovers to practice gardenings even if they don’t have gardens or yards.
What vegetables can be grown in hay?
Best Plants to Grow in a Straw Bale Garden Tomatoes. Tomatoes are cheap to grow but expensive to purchase from a store. Root Vegetables. Potatoes. Strawberries. Eggplant. Peppers. Lettuce. Spinach.
Can you grow vegetables in hay?
A hay bale provides the growing environment for veggies without the need for soil or a raised-bed frame. You don’t have to amend soil or dig weeds before planting. The bale naturally raises the veggies for easy harvesting.
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.
Is hay good for gardens?
Hay will not give you a dry layer of cover that is pleasing to look at, but it is a great mulch for growing flowers and vegetables, and you’ll get a fantastic yield. To start a garden, with seeds or starters, first create a thick layer of hay, up to eight inches (20 cm.), right over your garden soil.
