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A straw bale can make a great growing medium, and a straw bale garden is a raised bed in which the potting soil, compost, and plants are all housed inside the straw bale. Straw bale gardening is a great way to grow herbs and vegetables, and can also be used to grow ornamental plants.
What are the benefits of straw bale gardening?
Here are some of the claimed benefits I found. No weeds. Inexpensive. No digging required. They generate their own warmth, extending the growing season. Straw bale gardening lets you control the nutrients. Instant, rather inexpensive raised bed. Garden without soil. Less bending.
How long does a straw bale garden last?
It’s the material left over after the grain has been harvested. As a byproduct, straw bales are less expensive. The grain stalks are hollow, so the bales are lighter too. Straw is slow to break down, and Joel has found they tend to last for two growing seasons.
What is straw bale?
Straw-bale construction is a building method that commonly uses straw from wheat, rice, rye and oats, as building insulation. The straw is the stalk of the grain without the grain head.
When should I start a straw bale garden?
You can start a straw bale garden in the early fall, but spring is the best time to plant vegetables.
What are the disadvantages to straw bale gardens?
Cons Weeds: Even if you use straw bales—not hay bales, unless you suffocate the weeds before you plant your garden—your bales will sprout and if left alone will start looking like giant Chia Pets. End-of-Season Funk: By the end of the growing season, a straw bale garden can look ragged.
Can you grow potatoes in straw bales?
Whether you have grown potatoes for years or never grown a fresh potato in your life, growing them in a straw bale is an easy choice. Imagine pounds of beautiful fresh tubers that are crisper and tastier than any grocery store finds, all for less than the price of a bag of soil.
How do you condition a straw bale for gardening?
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).
How big is a straw bale?
Basic straw-bales are produced on farms and referred to as “field-bales”. These come in a range of sizes, from small “two-string” ones 18 in (460 mm) wide, by either 14 or 16 in (350 to 400 mm) high, and 32 to 48 in (0.8 to 1.2 m) long, to three-string “commercial bales” 21 in wide, by 16 in high, by 3 to 4 ft long.
How long do straw bale houses last?
Straw Bale homes can last over 100 years if properly maintained. At some point, all structures will eventually be replaced. When the time comes, the straw bales can be plowed back into the earth.
What is the R value of a straw bale home?
Reported R-values for straw bale walls range from R-17 to R-54, depending on the test procedure, the type of straw used and the type of straw bale wall system.
How much does straw cost?
Straw prices were steady and there is a demand for straw. Small square bales averaged $4.60 a bale (range of $2.00 to $6.00). Large square bale straw averaged $64.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 to $90.00). Large round bale straw averaged $58.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 – $85.00).
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.
How do you start a 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.
Can you grow onions in straw bales?
Growing onions in bales of straw is a great way to garden no matter where you live. Onions are easiest to grow from sets, which are available locally or through the mail, and will get you off to a good start.
Can you plant tomatoes in straw 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.
How do you compost straw bales?
Because straw is compostable, your straw-bale walls will begin to decompose with the pile. Once the pile has cooked for awhile, you can actually dismantle and mix the bales into the compost for a zero-waste, temporary compost bin.
How many plants do you get from a bale?
Add potting soil, and plant your seeds or seedlings as you would in ground, and top with soil. Or spread potting soil along the top of each bale, then dig a shallow hole and plant. Generally, you’ll fit two or three plants per bale.
