Straw Bale Gardening: Difference between revisions
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Learn about growing vegetables, organic techniques and buy straw bales for your straw bale garden. Read stories and FAQs about straw bale gardening. | Learn about growing vegetables, organic techniques and buy straw bales for your straw bale garden. Read stories and FAQs about straw bale gardening. | ||
Straw Bale Gardening is a simply a different type of container gardening. The main difference is that the container is actually the straw bale itself, held together with two or three strings; the outside crust of the bale serves as the container. Once the straw inside the bale begins to decompose, the straw becomes “conditioned” and ready to plant. The step by step process of conditioning creates an extraordinarily productive, warm, moist and nutrient rich rooting environment for young seedlings. Getting the straw bales conditioned is an essential part of the process, and should be started approximately two weeks prior to the target planting date in your area. This planting date varies greatly depending on where you are in the world but this gardening technique works anywhere in the world for seasonal spring/summer or for winter gardens. | Straw Bale Gardening is a simply a different type of container gardening. The main difference is that the container is actually the straw bale itself, held together with two or three strings; the outside crust of the bale serves as the container. Once the straw inside the bale begins to decompose, the straw becomes “conditioned” and ready to plant. The step by step process of conditioning creates an extraordinarily productive, warm, moist and nutrient rich rooting environment for young seedlings. Getting the straw bales conditioned is an essential part of the process, and should be started approximately two weeks prior to the target planting date in your area. This planting date varies greatly depending on where you are in the world but this gardening technique works anywhere in the world for seasonal spring/summer or for winter gardens. | ||
=====Straw bale gardening is worth a try===== | |||
[https://www.villagelife.com/spotlight-columns/straw-bale-gardening-is-worth-a-try/article_7ac850d7-0588-5644-b1fb-110a61164f1c.html by Susan Laird 31/5/15 VILLAGE life] | |||
As I dug into each bale and planted my veggies, I had some leftover straw. This I decided to stick on top of my soaker hoses to encourage all the water to stay within the bales. | |||
I went a little crazy in what I planted. I had no idea what would work and what would not. | |||
I planted red potatoes, yellow squash, Black Beauty zucchini, red chard, kale, red sails lettuce, several varieties of tomatoes, green beans and peppers. For fun, I planted some dahlias at the ends of two rows. | |||
Now that my little project is several months in, I can tell you: This method works! I water only four minutes a day. That’s it. And the plants are lush and happy. | |||
