Post by macmex on Jul 10, 2022 13:46:54 GMT -6
I am a novice with this gardening technique but we have some friends that swear by straw bale gardening and they actually grow for the market. We'll have to add to this thread over time. I barely have time to begin right now.
We started out with a modification from standard straw bale gardening, taught to us by our friends. We purchased an ICB container, cut it in half and turned it into a planter, fitting the straw bales into it. The bales needed to be wetted repeatedly and inoculated with fertilizer and trace minerals, over a period of weeks before planting. We chose to try two crops which we love, but which are difficult for us to raise in our climate: beets and Swiss chard. At planting time we put down an inch or two of potting mix on top of the bales and planted as if in regular soil.
The difference is that the wet, innoculated straw holds moisture pretty well and allows really deep penetration of roots. We are told that with this method one can grow a lot in a relatively small area and, for older folk, not have to bend over so much. We're experimenting with this now, as we look forward to future years of gardening.
So far it has worked pretty well. We managed a good crop of both beets and chard.
This is a picture of the chard. The beets are looking tired now, but they are quite ready for harvest.
A couple observations:
This system works well as an intensive gardening system. It's intensive because one is actually putting more work into a small area than they would otherwise.
It appears to produce very very well.
And finally (for now)
During our really hot weather I find myself having to water every afternoon. So this method is intense all the way through.
Last night I went out to get some chard for our supper and found this little guy.
I've noticed a few grasshoppers on the plants in these containers. I've also noticed a good many wasps who apparently love to hunt in the planting as well as get a drink when I water. (The wasps and I have a good relationship. I don't bother them and they don't bother me.) This little tree frog apparently discovered a nice moist place to hide. Hopefully he's eating lots of little hoppers!
Later I'll post the conditioning steps for how to start one of these. Anyone with experience will almost certainly have more experience than myself, so please do chime in.
We started out with a modification from standard straw bale gardening, taught to us by our friends. We purchased an ICB container, cut it in half and turned it into a planter, fitting the straw bales into it. The bales needed to be wetted repeatedly and inoculated with fertilizer and trace minerals, over a period of weeks before planting. We chose to try two crops which we love, but which are difficult for us to raise in our climate: beets and Swiss chard. At planting time we put down an inch or two of potting mix on top of the bales and planted as if in regular soil.
The difference is that the wet, innoculated straw holds moisture pretty well and allows really deep penetration of roots. We are told that with this method one can grow a lot in a relatively small area and, for older folk, not have to bend over so much. We're experimenting with this now, as we look forward to future years of gardening.
So far it has worked pretty well. We managed a good crop of both beets and chard.
This is a picture of the chard. The beets are looking tired now, but they are quite ready for harvest.
A couple observations:
This system works well as an intensive gardening system. It's intensive because one is actually putting more work into a small area than they would otherwise.
It appears to produce very very well.
And finally (for now)
During our really hot weather I find myself having to water every afternoon. So this method is intense all the way through.
Last night I went out to get some chard for our supper and found this little guy.
I've noticed a few grasshoppers on the plants in these containers. I've also noticed a good many wasps who apparently love to hunt in the planting as well as get a drink when I water. (The wasps and I have a good relationship. I don't bother them and they don't bother me.) This little tree frog apparently discovered a nice moist place to hide. Hopefully he's eating lots of little hoppers!
Later I'll post the conditioning steps for how to start one of these. Anyone with experience will almost certainly have more experience than myself, so please do chime in.
