I'm so excited to try using bales this year! I'm using blood meal to get the bales going and want to make sure I'm using the correct amount. I've been using the suggested 1 cup per bale (I'm on day 5), but I'm pretty sure the bales I got are bigger than standard. They sure weighed more and cost much more ($9.95/bale) than I had expected! They measure 48" long, 23" wide, and 17" tall. Should I be using more blood meal? Also, I haven't detected any heat in my bales yet. Am I doing something wrong, or do I just need to be more patient?
Thanks for your help!
How big are your straw bales?
Sounds like you have 3 string bales??? Are you watering them good? I would think if they are the 3 string bales that you might want to increase your blood meal. I think it might be early for yu to feel heat. Especially if you are not using enough nitrogen. Yes, I would think $10 is a lot.
I have said on here several times that I cannot find any 2 string bales any more. Was told at the feed store that the 3 string, being bigger, are easier to transport on the big flatbed trucks. They have less sway. You have seen thee big trucks driving on the highways heavily loaded with hay and going around curves you think they are going to tip over. And then the road straightens out and they have to swing back the other way and the whole load sings over the other way.
Oh, I didn't realize the number of strings would tell about the size. These bales all have 4 strings. My husband and I, who are both physically fit, had a really rough time moving them into my garden space. Does 4 strings mean they're monster bales? If so, do you think it would be okay if I follow the "Square-foot garden" spacing recommendations rather than the ones I've been reading for straw bales (e.g. 2-3 tomatoes per bale)?
Thanks so much for replying. I'm so anxious to get started, and I want to be sure I'm maximizing my chances for success!
I would say you definitely have monster bales. LOL, Nothing wrong with that if you can deal with them. I.e. get around them to pick the produce, tend them, etc.
Yes you would have room for more than the normal 2 string bales. Altho, from your measurements, it doesn't appear that you have a lot more surface than the 2 string. Some, but not a lot. You have more depth. So, I would say you are going to have to decide what they will stand.
We definitely want pictures. May I ask how many of them you got???
I only got 4 bales, so although it was more expensive than I expected, it didn't quite break the bank. It was my last chance to garden, really, as I'd had nearly no luck in our soil and had recently covered my garden area in flagstone. I was so happy and enthusiastic after stumbling across this gardening method that I didn't think twice about the cost. We're used to paying more for everything here in the mountains in southwest New Mexico, anyway. ;-o If I can actually produce some good, fresh veggies, it'll be worth it for me! Thanks again for helping me, and for getting back to me so quickly. I'll keep you posted and look forward to updates on your 2010 bale garden!
nm, just remember that being straw they will not have any nutrients. Therefore, you are going to have to fertilize more than you normally would. If you can get some 20-20-20 soluble, I have found that is the best and you will probably need to fertilize about once a week. You can tell by watching your plants.
Good luck and happy gardening.
Jeanette
Woo-hoo!!! Patience paid off! They're heating up! Thanks, again, Jeanette, for the help!
Kristen