PLANTS IN STRAW BALES Only the vessel is a bale of straw and the medium, a nutrient-rich compost created by the straw and a bit of fertilizer, is weed-free.Thats right. No weeds.Overall, there are very few weeds to contend with and you dont have a backache at the end of your gardening day. Also, after you harvest, you can use the leftover straw for mulch. Straw-bale gardening lengthens the growing season in colder climates because the straw releases heat as it decomposes. WHAT YOULL NEED: First, be sure to buy straw bales, not hay. Hay bales contain seeds, which will grow into weeds, and isnt that one big reason youre trying straw-bale gardening in the first place? Hay bales are typically green while straw bales are a golden yellow. You can find them at many nurseries and garden stores Youll also need a soaker hose and 2 1-2 cups per bale of lawn fertilizer thats at least 20 percent nitrogen, with no added herbicides. If youre going the organic route,It is recommended you use three pounds of blood meal per bale. CONDITIONING THE BALE: Before planting, you need to condition the straw bales for 10 to 12 days. *First, lay them out as you want them in the garden, placing them end to end in a row and turning them up on their sides. *Every other day, sprinkle some of whatever fertilizer youre using over the bale and wash it into the bale with a spray hose, watering long enough that water comes out from under the bale. *On days you dont fertilize the bale, keep watering it once a day until saturation. *On the 12th day, you should be ready to plant on the tops and even the sides of the bales, spacing the plants as you normally would. *If planting seeds, lay down 1 to 2 inches of potting soil on top of the bales first. MAINTENANCE: Theres not a lot of maintenance required, but is recommended watering the bales every day when its hot with a soaker hose or a dripper system with one hose down into the middle of the bale. Every two to three days is fine in the spring and fall. Trellises are needed for taller or climbing plants like tomatoes and beans, and it is recommended covering the bales with a tarp if temperatures are going to dip to 30 degrees or lower at night. Many times, you can use a bale two years in a row, but after that, its time to pile them together for use as compost next spring ----------SHARE ON YOUR WALL----------------- ------SO YOU CAN FIND IT---------------------- Looking to eat healthy? Swing by my page https://facebook/pages/Skinny-Fiber-Pills/221206277921563?ref=hl and click like we have tons of recipes, tips and DIYs...make sure to click share on this picture! And if you are looking to change your life...stop by my support group here https://facebook/groups/126448854192349/ Friend request or Follow me facebook/jsebea1. Order Skinny Fiber Here offpounds ════════ ☆ SHARE ☆ ════════
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 13:00:18 +0000