Is there a sticky or "basic how to" somewhere easy to find?

Just skimmed a little, and found some interesting discussions, but couldn't seem to locate anything on how to get started! Man, I wish the forum search feature was up and running! I just don't have time today to read through hundreds of posts to find it.

Can anyone point me at some good info to get me started?

Angie

Angie: here's a sort of 1-stop shopping link to a local website thread I started some time back:

http://www.4042.com/4042forums/showthread.php?t=12405

Of course, all of the other threads in our Straw Bale forum are full of info from all the other "old timers"!!!

Kent

Thanks, Kent! I'm sure there is a wealth of info buried in the threads. Sure wish there was a "sticky" at the start of the forum with some basic info or links to threads with basic info!

Angie

Edited to add: Just spent some time reading through the link you provided, and it is great! I'd really like to try this, if I can convince the DH. Funny how he likes to be in on the deciding what to plant and how, but all the actual work falls to me. LOL



This message was edited Apr 17, 2010 6:26 PM

Angie, glad to have you on board this year. Give it a try.

Our motto: No weeding, no hoeing, no tilling!!! :-)

Kent

Angie, welcome! You just have to give straw bale gardening a try. You will love the ease of it.

I am in my third season growing in straw bales. It is absolutely amazing how well plants grow and produce in the straw bales.

I follow Kent's basic instructions with excellent results. However, I use Ammonium Sulfate, 21-0-0, because Ammonium Nitrate is not available in my area. I also use a 20" compost thermometer so I know when the bales have cooled down to around 80º without any hot spots. This tells me when to plant into the bales without danger of burning the roots of plants.

Currently I have 12 tomato plants growing in 6 bales and another 12 bales cooking. The bales that are cooking now will be used for squash, peppers, and melons.

In the attached photo the tomatoes in the background are growing in straw bales contained within a raised bed made from railroad ties. The ties are lined with corrugated tin to prevent plant roots from coming in contact with the ties.

The bales in the foreground and along the left side of the photo are the ones cooking.

texasrockgarden: excellent post and great pic

I think my biggest surprise in reading about the bales is that there is no DIRT involved. I guess I'd assumed that you'd hollow out the middle a little and fill it with dirt. What an intriguing gardening method! Still reading. . .

Angie

Angie, you can still "chink" the holes or cracks in the bale, but just don't use dirt from the yard.

Use a commercial mix.

Yard dirt can carry soil-borne diseases, etc.

Keep reading and join us this year!!!

Kent

Angie, please check your D-mail.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/854417/

Angie- I always add a little soil/compost to what the plant is growing in when I plant in the bales. there needs to be some soil.

Angie (and anyone else who'd like to "see" how to plant in your bales; at least, it's how I do it)- I took the following pics for you today when I was planting my summer squash and Kentucky wonder beans- hope it helps.

The first shot is making a space in the bale for your plant. I often use the handle of a trowel if it's too hard to get in with my hands

Here's the 'dent'

Then I add some soil/compost to the hole . .

Push in a healthy plant . . .

And add some more soil. Voila!

My Garden-goyl, Julie Lucille Creamcheese

Thanks! A picture truly is worth a thousand words, so you just spoke about 6000 words! LOL

Angie