Hello new to straw bale gardering. Have bought 20 wheat bales for $3.50 a bale. Will be planting in about two weeks. I Have the traditional garden and now will try both the straw bale garden and the upside growing method also. I want to see which method is best to grow. Living here in central Oklahoma with the winds today blowing at 50 mph will see how the straw bales perform. Will provide pictures soon. Good to see others on this forum.
1st time bale gardeners - Who's trying it this year?
Hmm Don't think I posted in this thread yet. :-P ~~Gonna give it a try... Besides I have my fingers crossed this is going to work for ♥ PUMPKINS!!! :-) ♥
Welcome!
Hey... I'm new here -- just started to read the forum some 3 hours ago and was hooked.
We've recently started renovating a small abandoned farmstead. The orchard got new apple, persimmon, fig and cherry trees, the raised beds were built out of old oak frame timber from a torn-down cowshed and populated with raspberries. Currants, honeyberries and gooseberries were planted. And then... this.
Our neighbors run a fuctioning farm and they have a surplus of baled wheat straw. They are very friendly and keep asking whether we need any. So I guess it had to come to this eventually, it was just meant to be. :)
I'm heading out to the farm for the long weekend tomorrow and I'm abuzz with all the ideas about how to use the hay following the experience everyone else has displayed in this forum. I think I'll have trouble sleeping. :P
We're in Slovenia, Europe. I've added the marker to the Frapper map. Is there really nobody else here from Europe?
Stay tuned for further reports.
This message was edited Apr 9, 2009 10:52 PM
teatimer: glory be!! Welcome aboard, my friend!!!!
I have been wanting some more overseas bale gardeners for so long!
We are all very excited to have you.
Take pics, Take pics, Take pics.
I'm a first time baler and happy as can be. I jumped right in with only the very basics but I couldn't wait to start. I started my bales on April 1 (no jokes here, lol) and already have "baby bumps" on my tomatoes and the cukes about 1" long. The zucchinis are covered in blossoms. The watermelons seem very happy and are putting on nice growth. Something is nipping the center of the peppers out but they will probably do well once they get a bit bigger.
Kent, thanks so much for spreading the word! I had some doubts about this when I read the article. I started with only six bales but since I'm redoing my whole yard it's about all I can handle. Next year there will be a lot more.
Helen
This is my first year, also. LOVE it. Wish I were still in the quarterhorse business, then I would have had a LOT of bales with which to plant. Still gonna get more than the six I started with. Pic of tomatoes I planted about three weeks ago, don't know if you can see the cantaloupe I started with seed and only a handful of potting soil. I love this way of gardening. Thanks, Kent.
Helen: glad to hear the good report!
cocodrie11: we never grow tired of seeing pics. It's going to be interesting to see how those cages hold up.
I am a first timer and think straw bales is a great way to go. I will definitely have straw bales as part of my gardening mix from now on. I especially like the idea of being able to supplement my dirt part of the mix with the old composted straw. It's a win-win.
From now on I will set my bales on ground cloth and mulch heavily around the bales. This will make the straw bale gardening almost weed free.
After trying several methods of watering plants growing in the bales I prefer a sponge soaker hose adjusted to where it just barely drips. I terminated the hose at the end of my row of bales by cutting off the excess and using a 2" piece of 1/2" PVC and a screw type hose clamp. It works great.
I also like to feed my plants with liquid fert, i.e., Miracle Grow for Tomatoes alternated with Medina Hasta Gro about every 5-8 days. I originally started feeding with 20 oz per plant. As the plants have grown I have increased the amount to 40 and 60 oz per plant depending on the plant size.
Jerry
Kent, going to put PVC in the ground behind the bales, and use bamboo crosswise so that they will be tall enough to support these plants. Last year, mine got 6-7 feet high.
Another pic, look at the cukes coming on strong!! Just love this.
Looks good. What kind of tomatoes are you growing?
Jerry
Jerry: good tips.
cocodrie11: sounds good.
Pics from both would be good. Always helps to get a visual, especially with the way Jerry terminated his drip hose.
ALL: let's start Part 2 of this thread.
Here's the link to continue: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/983935/
Kent, what happened to Suz??? She did so good last year and we haven't heard a thing from her.
Jeanette
Good question. :-(
Maybe I will go back and find her addy and send her a D-mail. Will let you know.
J.
Here is my first vegie that will be picked today. I'm thrilled! Isn't she a beauty?
Helen
Helen: excellent! keep at it!!! :-)
Let's get back on Part 2.
Jeanette got us off! :-)
Go to Part 2: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/983935/