Straw Bale Gardening:

Grow 40 Pounds of Fresh Produce ANYWHERE with No Soil, No Bending and No Weeds

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter I: A Different Take on Backyard Gardening

Chapter II: Let the Advantages Convince You

Chapter III: Bale Necessities – Proper Preparation and Conditioning of Straw Bales

Chapter IV: Seeds to Sprouts – What You Need to Know About Planting

Chapter V: Straw Bale Garden for the Long-term Gardener

Chapter VI: The Backyard Market – Harvesting Produce

Chapter VII: Beyond the Harvest – Making the Most Out of Your Straw Bale Garden

Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever been in a situation in which you wanted to grow a garden but thought you needed a big yard to make it worthwhile? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to grow pounds and pounds of fresh organic produce without the back-breaking work of turning soil or weeding?  Are you anxious to get started with your new gardening ideas but need a well thought out plan to move forward?

If you have answered yes to any or all of these questions, then you would be glad to know that this book, Straw Bale Gardening: Grow 40 Pounds Of Fresh Produce ANYWHERE with No Soil, No Bending and No Weeds.

This book will serve as your guide and motivator in pursuing your gardening dream. You will discover that having a garden need not require a significantly large space or considerable effort and expense.

If you’ve always been curious about the straw bale gardening approach which is starting to gain mass popularity because of its effectiveness and the immersive experience that it can provide to both beginning gardeners and gardening experts alike, then this is the book for you. Find out why gardeners have been raving about this method, and how such a worthwhile hobby can change your perspective about backyard gardening.

With this book, you learn how to become holistically prepared to start your own straw bale garden beginning with the right mindset right on up to the stage of actual execution.  This guide will provide you a step-by-step plan from start to finish.

You’ll quickly discover that the ease and versatility of your new straw bale garden will keep your gardening project fun and exciting! All your friends and neighbors will be green with envy with the quantity and quality of your fresh produce and beg you to share your secrets.

Who knows? This may end up being the gardening hobby you’ve been waiting that inspires you to become a straw bale gardening expert!

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Chapter I: A Different Take on Backyard Gardening

With the increasing urbanization happening all around, wouldn’t it be great to have just one corner of green somewhere? Having a garden has so many great benefits.

First, you get to grow your own vegetables and herbs. This way, you can ensure that the ingredients you use for your cooking are fresh and organic.

Second, you can feel proud of yourself because you’re helping mother-nature by increasing oxygen production while minimizing carbon dioxide. In even a small way, you are doing your part.

Third, a garden is good for the soul. It is always amazing when you nurture something and see it as it grows. It gives a certain feeling of accomplishment.

Finally, having and tending to a garden can be therapeutic. After your stressful daily routine, you can simply lose yourself in nurturing your plants. You can even just sit on a comfortable chair and watch that piece of green that you’ve had a hand in growing.

However, what if you have very limited space in your backyard? Or what if your garden area does not get adequate sunlight? Or what if you found out that the soil in your yard simply isn’t suitable for growing a garden? What then? Do you simply settle for purchasing expensive organic produce? Do you give up your hope of having a beautiful and useful garden right at your home? Do you simply let your dreams of a garden die?

Well, of course not. Any gardener worth his or her salt would never give up so easily. The good news is that not all hope is lost. You can actually continue to pursue your dream of having your own garden by employing a technique called straw bale gardening.  You will often hear straw bale gardening classified as  a type of container gardening.

A Garden in a Pot

Straw bale gardening is a part of a growing trend called container gardening. With limited time and resources for would-be gardeners, the container gardening method is steadily gaining popularity. It is a gardening approach that utilizes anything from plastic or clay pots, empty window boxes, and even upcycled containers. Gardeners, particularly those who would like to have their own garden but whose existing backyard soil is inhospitable to plants and greens, turn to container gardening as an alternative.

Once a gardening enthusiast switches to using growing media instead of typical soil, many problems can be eliminated. The growing media that are currently available in the market are free from the diseases normally found in backyard soil. They are also free from insects and weed seeds that may rob your plants of essential nutrients. Growing media have been engineered to have an ideal particle structure to enable adequate drainage, as well as excellent moisture-holding capacity. These factors are quite difficult to find in typical backyard soil.

Growing a container garden has the following advantages:

Simplicity

Having a container garden is simple because you would not have to worry about soil and weather conditions as seasons change. The limited area will not require extensive tending because weeds are unlikely to find their way into your pots.

Mobility

One of the best things about having a container garden is that even if you move, you r garden can go with you. Unlike a backyard garden that you would have to leave behind, a container garden can accompany you  wherever you are planning to go.

Versatility

There are virtually no limits to where you can place your container garden. As long as the location receives a sufficient amount of sunlight, the garden is good to go. Place your potted plants on the patio, on your balcony, in the courtyard, or even on your window sill.

Accessibility

You garden is always within reach, even if you stay indoors! You do not have to go outside to enjoy your garden. You simply need to sit by it and enjoy watching the plants that you have nurtured and nourished.

Variety

With a container garden, you can cluster different plants that you wouldn’t usually be able to grow together in your backyard. You can alternate flowering plants with fruiting plants. You can group your plants by color. You can even use them to complement the furniture or color scheme of any room!

These advantages are only a few of many that a container garden can provide, but they are enough to convince many gardeners to adopt this approach. This is a simple yet effective gardening strategy that usually requires less effort with the same benefits as your usual outdoor garden.

However, you must bear in mind that a container garden also has a number of limitations. First, your growing space becomes constrained by the size of your container. Second, the small container size means that soil moisture is likewise limited. What this means is that you would probably have to water your plants more often. However, watering at an increased frequency may drain vital nutrients from the soil. As a consequence, you may need to the fertilize plants often.

You may now ask, what is the best option if container gardening still has a few drawbacks? Well, I have some awesome news to share. From the wonders of container gardening, another alternative method emerged. This new method utilizes the benefits of the conservative approach of container gardening while providing a unique solution that enables gardeners to take control of the growing medium to yield good produce from their gardens. Thus, the wonderful aspect of straw bale gardening was born.

Straw Bales : A Viable Alternative

Gardening enthusiasts have, of course, continually tried to improve their craft. Just like scientists who aim to make the world a better place by coming up with new innovations, gardeners have been busy identifying new strategies that can be used to improve growing media. The secret really is the growing medium, because this determines how well and how sustainably your garden can grow.

Now I mentioned earlier that straw bale gardening was born out of the container gardening approach? In this alternative, both straw bales and planting media are used to form a favorable environment for plants. Yes, you heard that right. This new option uses straw!

A logical question that might be weighing on your mind right now is, why use straw bales? I know that we have gotten used to thinking of straw as something that is used as a filler for hay for the consumption of horses or cows. You may even think of straw as bedding for stalls. You are right on both counts, of course. But straw also has another use, and what a great use it is.

According to seasoned farmers and garden enthusiasts, straw is a perfect container for growing plants and vegetables. Given that the structure of straw resembles a hollow tube, it allows enhanced moisture retention, which most backyard soil conditions cannot provide. The external portion of the bale dies easily, thereby promoting the slow decomposition process. The inner layers of the straw bale, however, decompose a little faster and can serve as the ideal medium for plant growth because it becomes rich in nutrients and is almost pathogen-free.

Remember what I just said about the external portion of the bale? The acceleration of the composting process is a very important component of the success of any straw bale garden. This conditioning process results in the achievement of the ideal characteristics for potting media without the cost that can be incurred when trying to conditioning existing garden soil.

What if the bale comes lose? Well, this is something that you should never let happen when you decide to go for straw bale gardening. It is important to secure the straw bales by using durable material, such as nylon, to hold everything together. Securing the strings is vital to maintaining the container, especially during the growing season. This allows the roots to grow properly because the straw bale emulates the natural density of backyard soil. Loose strings may lead to loose potting media, which may consequently damage the roots. This can kill the growing plants, which is definitely something that you want to avoid at all costs. The outer portion of the straw bale serves as the "crust," which is exposed to outside elements like wind and sunlight. This portion dries quickly and therefore rots at a slower rate.

Straw bale gardening is a type of approach that requires a more detailed plan, patience, and effort as opposed to many of your simpler container gardening methods. But for what its worth, it is one of the most fruitful and effective backyard gardening methods. This approach does not require an advanced level of knowledge. No, you do not need to be a rocket scientist – you don’t even have to be a gardening expert! You only have to be a gardener who is passionate about your hobby and who is willing to explore other options to improve your backyard gardening experience by a mile.

Chapter II: Let the Advantages Convince You

One of the biggest misconceptions about straw bale gardening is that it is costly to maintain. Many gardening enthusiasts believe that since soil is there and it is free, it must be the best planting media since the best things in life are free right? Wrong!

Dirt might not cost you a penny, but taking a closer look will reveal that it has so many disadvantages. The amount of labor needed to maintain soil integrity and keep it free from diseases, insects, and weeds can have a snowball effect that can outweigh all the advantages provided by your usual backyard gardening. Numerous overlooked factors make soil gardening a costly practice. These factors include soil drainage, particle structure, water-holding capacity, and soil enrichment. Because it is any gardener's objective to improve the existing quality of the soil, these factors should never be overlooked!

Soil Toil

Most backyard soils are of subpar quality because they are full of rocks, clay, sand, gravel, and many other materials that provide no benefit for the plants you are planning to grow. These components are unfit to sustain a healthy backyard garden. Improving soil quality by augmenting it with growing media will burn holes in your pocket because of the substantial cost. In the pursuit of perfecting soil quality, you may have already invested such a large amount of time and money, and you are just getting started!

Backyard soil conditioning could really seem like an uphill battle most of the time. It will require a great deal of time, effort, and backbreaking work, especially if your backyard soil is really inhospitable to plants. Although gardeners often have a zealous commitment to have the best possible conditions for plants, going through all the trouble is sometimes not worth it, especially when other more viable options are available.

Hail the Bale

Straw bale gardening enables gardeners to take full control of ground conditions through plant box customization. This removes the need for attempts to improve the conditions of existing soil because you basically start from scratch. Instead of trying to find ways to enhance soil quality, you can save a great deal of time because you start the base with straw bales of excellent quality.

The savings you can achieve from using straw bales would not be very evident at first look because you will have to pay for your bales upfront. This is in contrast to the case in which you simply utilize the soil that’s already there in your backyard. However, when you take a closer look, you will find that in the long run, the straw bale gardening approach will actually allow you to save more money.

Most gardeners who have tried this approach have paid as low as $5.00 per straw bale and that amount already includes the cost of conditioning the bales and making them the perfect planting media. Conditioned straw bales can fetch a significantly higher value and can be appraised to cost more than ten times the amount of regular bales. At this time, you should be able to picture the initial amount that you would need for this potential hobby. This will allow you to set your expectations in the long run.

Expense and Effort Expectations

Straw bale gardening always gives the impression that it is an expensive hobby to start and will require considerable amount of effort to succeed. But consider that any hobby will require a certain amount of effort. It will also take you time to review its potential and how you can best succeed. This may seem daunting at first, but my advice is to keep reminding yourself about why you started every time you feel disheartened or become impatient. This will keep you going until you achieve the results you’ve been dreaming of.

It is not difficult to find a good supply of straw bales. However, the cost of straw bales will vary per region. It is recommended to buy directly from farmers, as they can give you straw bales for as low as a dollar or two each. If there are no available farmers nearby for a direct transaction, you may consider checking the garden center or a feed supply store that may offer straw bales at a slightly higher cost. You have the freedom to check and shop around to compare prices and regulate your spending.

Season for Shopping

The best time to shop for straw bales is during the fall season. In general, straw is always available during fall, and the price is not that high because farmers opt to sell them rather than store them. If you purchase bales during this season, remember not to place them in a storage area such as the garage, because dry straw bales will attract pests like mice and insects. These pests can taint the quality of the bale and destroy the straw. What you can do is to place them directly on your garden, around the area where they will be placed when spring comes. Once the snow melts, straw bales will absorb a significant amount of moisture. This moisture will make them very heavy, causing them to stay in place. Moisture is also good for conditioning the bales. It is okay for the straw bales to endure the winter season, because even under harsh conditions, their structure will not be significantly affected.

Quality Questions

Straw bales mimic the characteristics of a good quality growing media. It is a predictable medium when you ensure that treatment process and quality remain the same. The integrity and quality of straw bales will always be the consistent, especially if you get your straw bale supply from the same farmer or the same crop. This predictability enables you as the gardener to plan for your straw bale garden and eventually become successful with it.

Straw is probably one of the most overlooked products from a farm. It has the capability to capture and retain moisture thanks to the hollow structure, a characteristic that is not generally present in some backyard soils. The amazing water-holding capacity of straws will contribute to the well-being of plants by providing such functions as moisture and temperature control.

If you are worried that straw might drown the plants because of their capability to hold water, then fear no more. While it is true that straws can retain moisture, the bales can only absorb water up to a certain level. Heavy rain or a garden hose left running overnight will not lead to overwatering. The structure of the straw will allow the water to simply run down the bottom portion of the bales. This process acts as the check valve for excess water supply.

Another advantage of straw bales over backyard garden soil is that they do not erode when there is heavy rain. Backyard soil can form puddles, which cause the running off of nutrients. This may also leave the plants exposed. Straw bales will never erode because of their firm structure. You can also feel secure that the nutrients in the growing media remain intact even if there is an issue of overwatering.

Expertise Essentials

Finally, straw bale gardening is more forgiving in terms of the gardener's level of expertise and physical limitations. Straw bales can be configured to a preferred height and length, such that the gardener will not be required to bend over. Excessive bending may hurt the joints and strain the muscles. Stacking the straw bales properly can enable even those who are on a wheelchair to engage in the worthwhile hobby of gardening.

One of the most common reasons why engaging in gardening starts well but ends up unsuccessful is that in traditional backyard gardening, the gardener is required to plow and cultivate the soil every so often to remove growing weeds. These chores may cause burnout and a lack of drive because of the large amount of work required. In straw bale gardening, this is eliminated because the growing medium is regulated, thereby nullifying the chances of weeds to grow. No weeds mean less work. As you can see, this hobby has so much to offer, yet it can still adjust itself to suit the needs of the gardener.

Weeding Woes

Although the bales of straw are weed-free, there might be some instances that wheat or barley sprouts may appear from the stalks of the straw. Remember not to place any unsterile soil on top of the straw bales; you should only use a sterile potting mix when creating the seed bed for planting vegetables or when transplanting grown plants.

This practice inhibits the chances of contaminating the straw bale by introducing pathogens or weed seeds that are commonly present in the soil. The soil that is available in the backyard does not affect the success rate of straw bale gardening. This is because this gardening method can be successfully employed even in the most unlikely places, such as a paved driveway or a concrete patio. The only thing that matters is the space needed to accommodate the bales of straw.

Say No to Sprays

In traditional backyard gardening, gardeners use pesticides and herbicides to kill unwanted insects and weeds. Pesticides use will no longer be an issue in straw bale gardening. Given the physical features of a straw bale garden, such as its height, insects that are commonly found in low-lying portions of gardens will no longer present a problem. The elevation prevents potential pest infiltration. Since you as the gardener have full control of your straw bale garden, you will have more time to focus on the plants, not to mention that you get to save a lot of money from the pesticides that you will no longer need to buy.

Warm and Fuzzy

Another overlooked advantage of straw bale gardening is the warmth that it generates. During the process of conditioning, or the time when the compost turns into soil, the bacteria that are working full time to decompose the inner layers of the straw generate heat. The warmth that this process generates contributes to favorable growing conditions for young roots. These conditions simulate those of a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse. This allows gardeners to accelerate growth while shortening the growing season, thus giving growers complete leverage. This also inhibits the chances of getting caught once the frost starts, during which crops do not have enough time to mature and ripen under normal backyard garden conditions. The warmth produced by the decomposition process also mitigates the frost risk. Plants in a regular garden can easily freeze because of fluctuations in temperature, whereas plants on bales gain protection from frost. 

Gardeners can find numerous ways to improvise on their straw bale gardens and turn them into an inexpensive straw bale greenhouse. By covering the bales with clear plastic, the heat from the decomposition process can be retained to emulate the warmer atmosphere that is found in greenhouses.

Chapter III: Bale Necessities – Proper Preparation and Conditioning of Straw Bales

Once you have all the needed materials to start your own straw bale garden, don’t let the excitement derail you from properly preparing and conditioning your straw bales. Keep in mind that straw bale gardening requires precision and careful control. These things may need a considerable amount of patience. Do not allow excitement to sway you from the proper process because you may end up missing the most important steps to make this project succeed.

Location, Location, Location

A straw bale garden can be placed anywhere you like, as long as the area receives full sunlight and has access to a good water supply. This is the beauty of a straw bale garden. You do not need to have a large amount of space available for you to grow your plants. You can be flexible and go as big and as small as you want. You can have a garden the size of one straw bale or even as much as a hundred if you have the space available. This level of versatility makes straw bale gardening very attractive, especially for those who want the joys of having a garden but do not have a large backyard to accommodate such a project.

Sublayer Considerations

While the soil underneath has nothing to do with the straw bales at the surface, it would be best to consider preparing a barrier to prevent any anticipated cross-contamination from the soil below. The layer called sub-soil will only serve as a drainage platform. If the selected area is slightly sloping in appearance, it would actually work as an advantage for the straw bale garden because it will keep the water from pooling underneath the bales and soaking the rows after an episode of heavy rain.

Full Exposure

The requirement of full sun exposure should at least be six to eight hours each day. When we say full sunlight, it does not just require that the area is well lighted. This means the rays should be able to touch the leaves of the plants during the healthy hours of the day. This is essential, especially for vegetable crops that require sunlight to yield product. Sunlight is important in the plant's photosynthesis, and assists in drying the excess moisture that is caused by rain or dew. Also, reduced sunlight exposure may turn your straw bale garden into a culturing medium for microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi.

Doing Away with Sprinklers

Also, unlike traditional backyard gardens, straw bale gardening does not require the utilization of overhead sprinklers. In fact, overhead sprinklers may even act as carriers because the droplets may pass on contamination from one infected plant to another, given that the moisture suspended in air is collected onto the leaves and then moves around the plant structure.

Careful Conditioning

Now that you have everything ready, it’s time to condition your bales! This is an exciting time because right after you successfully complete this step, you will have prepared your bales for the best part, which is selecting your plants! I know that you are excited to get started with your planting, but remember that bale conditioning is a critical step that you should not skip. There are no shortcuts, unless of course you have bought already conditioned bales. Keep in mind that this process would usually take 10 to 14 days.

It has been highly recommended that the most productive straw bale gardens are single-file rows of bales aligned end to end. This placement promotes ample air circulation, particularly for the leaves that are exposed to direct sunlight. Careful spacing between rows places a walk space between the bales. Keep in mind that you should not crowd plants on top of the bales because too many plants per row would result in congestion. This will limit circulating air and sun exposure and may lead to variation in growth, as there will be plants that have been are robbed of air and sunlight.

Prevent Crop Shading

Crop shading occurs when a row hinders another from receiving full sunlight, thereby allowing moisture to stay for a longer period and inhibiting the proper process of photosynthesis. This can be prevented by ensuring that there is enough space between the rows. The recommended distance should be at least three feet away between rows. This empty space may attract weeds or grass, which can be easily mowed off from time to time.

If you are the type of gardener who prefers vines, like watermelons or squash, you may have to adopt a specific type of management. The roots will normally grow in the straw bale, but the vines and leaves will grow everywhere. The vines should be controlled by preparing a weed barrier to facilitate the isolation of the vines from other plants in between the rows. This is important because if you allow the vines to grow and take their own course, they may go over and beyond the bale and touch contaminated soil. In addition, the barrier can protect the fruits from rotting prematurely due to the damp soil, which can harbor the growth of mold. A weed barrier should be made of something permeable like cloth. Never use plastic material because it will retain the moisture that is supposed to evaporate, thus encouraging growth of microorganisms and disease. It may even permit the growth of algae, which may lead to unsightly patches in the rows.

Straw Bale Anatomy

Remember that straw bales have two sides. The first side is the one that appears as if the ends of the straw pieces have been uniformly sliced. The other side is the one that has been folded over during the baling process. The first side should be positioned vertically to allow water and fertilizer to penetrate easily. The strings should be properly placed around the sides of the bale to keep it intact and secure.

Compression of the straw promotes and accelerates the essential process of decomposition. Compression is the key to effective decomposition, and if compression is lost, the effectiveness of decomposition is compromised.

Trellis vs. Individual Staking

Placing a tall steel post at both ends of the straw bale rows firmly secures the rows and causes them to be tightly squeezed against one another. This will inhibit the chances of falling apart. The posts can serve several purposes. For one, a wire can be installed and stretched back and forth to create a trellis to support vines. You may also prefer individual staking, but it may compromise the stability of the bales when not done properly, and they may tip over. I believe that creating a trellis is far easier than individual staking. 

Orientations and Added Features

Some gardeners prefer the orientation of their straw bales to run from north to south, but this is not essentially required. As long as the sun hits most of the leaf surface early in the morning and the air is properly circulating, your garden should work fine. A well-ventilated garden inhibits insects from thriving because they prefer stationary plants rather than those constantly touched by a soft breeze.

You may consider planting flowering plants at the sides of the straw bales. This adds color to your garden, with shades of red and yellow coming in contrast with the seas of green leaves and fruits.

The Main Game

Conditioning is the process by which the bales begin composting internally up to the point that they will be able to support root growth. It is a simple process, but it is a very essential part of a straw bale garden. Many gardeners know what composting is. One thing to note is that some materials decompose either slower or faster than others. Wood chips from select trees may take more than a year or two to compost, whereas fresh grass will only take about a month.

The entire process of conditioning the bales takes around 10 to 14 days and will depend on the temperature when the conditioning process starts. You may consider the length of time needed if you have a specific target date for planting. It is important for the bales to compost within the recommended duration before planting. When a gardener plants a seedling into the raw straw bale, the bacteria present in the bale will rob the seedling of nitrogen and will end up killing the plant.

Remember that conditioning does not necessarily mean that the bales become completely composted after several days. It simply means that the bales have composted enough and that seedlings can be planted into them. This is also the shortest possible time that the bacteria will no longer rob nitrogen from the potting mixture.

Conservative gardeners who prefer fresh manure would do well to let go of this practice. There is an excessive amount of bacteria present in manure; some may be helpful, but there are others, such as E. Coli, that can be harmful. This bacterium is often transmitted through manure that is too fresh for composting use.

Day-to-Day Summary

Day 1:

Secure the bales in place assuming their final position. The first application of fertilizer should be evenly distributed at a ratio of half-cup per bale. Make sure that the distribution is even from side to side and end to end. The recommended fertilizer is one with high nitrogen content. Also, make sure that the fertilizer you use is the standard and not the sustained-release or slow-release type. You may also want to stay away from fertilizers with an added herbicidal effect.

If you are a gardener who prefers the organic route when initiating their straw bale garden, you may use your preferred organic nitrogen source, such as feather meal. Composted chicken manure is also widely used. Make sure that the organic fertilizer is watered into the bale to ensure even distribution and that larger chunks are disintegrated in the process.

Day 2:

The only thing you have to do on your second day is to ensure that the bales are watered and completely saturated. It is recommended to use rainwater or water at room temperature, given that cold water can impede microorganism function.

Day 3:

Add a supplementary amount of the fertilizer you used on the first day. That will be about half a cup of the nitrogen-rich fertilizer and three cups for the organic fertilizer. Water the fertilizer down into the bale.

Day 4:

Repeat the watering process done during the second day.

Day 5:

Repeat the supplementation process done during the third day.

Day 6:

This is the most critical day for the decomposition process because it the bales should start to smell, a sign that the process is on the right track. This day will only require the same watering process done in Days 2 and 4.

Days 7 to 9:

Apply one-fourth cup of fertilizer per bale or about one-and-a-half cups for the organic counterpart. Continue the daily watering process. In these days, bacterial activity will be the most active. Ensure that there is enough air circulation.

Day 10:

Apply one cup of the balanced type of fertilizer or 10-10-10. If balanced fertilizer is unavailable, you may try other fertilizers with phosphorous and potassium content.

This is also the day in which your straw bales may have new residents – earthworms. This is actually a good thing, as earthworm excrements, called worm castings, are rich in readily absorbable micronutrients. This is like having another overtime worker for your garden.

Day 11:

Aside from earthworms, mushrooms may also begin to appear outside the bales. This indicates that the nutrients are properly dispersed and that the decomposition process is effectively taking its course. You may remove these mushrooms, although there is a good chance that they will just grow back.

Day 12:

Finally! The initial composting process has already completed its cycle, and you may now start planting. Just to set expectations, your bales will not look like completed compost, but they will definitely be sufficiently prepared to allow your seedlings to thrive.

Chapter IV: Seeds to Sprouts – What You Need to Know About Planting

We have reached one of the best parts of this hobby – planting! Nothing is more satisfying than planting your own seeds or seedlings, watching them grow and flourish, up until the point that they start to yield fruits and vegetables. This process yields not only produce, but also a deep sense of satisfaction for you as the gardener because you get to see the fruits of your labor and the success of your project.

Quality Yields Quality

It is extremely important to invest in good quality seeds and seedlings. This serves as the foundation of your straw bale garden. Remember that no matter how perfect the straw bales that you have prepared are, you simply cannot expect good results if you will use tainted seed packets or low-quality seedlings. Seed and seedling quality is equally as important as straw bale preparation. These are the factors that should never be compromised.

The Warm and Cold Season Crops

Crops of choice can be divided into two groups. These groups are the warm-season crops and the cold-season crops. Warm-season crops include peppers, melons, cucumbers, and eggplants. These crops are usually grown as seedlings in the garden center with the use of growing lights indoors. I recommend that you purchase smaller transplants for several reasons. First, smaller seedlings will incur lower cost. This relatively low price can be attributed to the fact that smaller seedlings are more delicate than larger, sturdier seedlings. You need not worry, however, because if you have followed the steps given in the previous chapter, then your straw bales have been properly conditioned to accommodate seedlings for planting. Thus, the smaller seedlings can thrive well in this prepared setup. In addition, the favorable warmth under the straw bales attributed to the composting process will encourage growth acceleration for the smaller seedlings.

Once you have acquired your seedlings of choice, remember to handle them with extreme care. The goal here is to transplant the seedlings from the pot to the bale without damaging the roots. Such damage may lead to stunted growth. The bales should be prepared by using a hand trowel to open up an area that is large enough to accommodate the entire root network without damaging or breaking individual roots. You may take off some straw to make sure that the roots are well accommodated and that the seedling are placed snugly in the bale.

One mistake unwittingly committed by gardeners is that they retain the peat pot with the idea that it still has some of the nutrients needed by the seedlings. Despite whatever attachment you may have to these peat pots, remember that they are no longer necessary because the straw bales you have prepared are now overflowing with the nutrients that will sustain the newly transplanted seedlings. To remove the seedlings from the peat pot, cut the pot away, taking care not to shake the pot to loosen the roots. You can reinforce the newly transplanted seedlings with some potting media to make sure that they are properly covered and that the space you have prepared is well-filled.

Another gentle reminder for gardeners is to make sure that the soil sprinkled on top of the bales is not just any soil that you can pick up anywhere. Using soil that is contaminated may cause the introduction of weeds and other pathogens, which may taint the sterile straw bales.

Now that we’ve talked about the warm-season crops, it’s time to discuss the cool-season crops. Cool-season crops include lettuce, carrots, and peas. These plants are ideally planted from seeds. To ensure that you are getting seeds that have the best quality, purchase your seed packets from a trusted garden supply store. Ideally, seed packets should be bought at the time that you are purchasing your other materials for straw bale gardening. If you have decided to start from seeds, it is important to prepare a seed bed using potting media to promote proper seed germination. The recommended potting mix should be sterile because it is usually enriched with slow-release fertilizer.

Depending on your preferred crop, seeds require varying depths to germinate properly. The usual checkerboard pattern is recommended, with the adoption of proper spacing depending on crop requirements. Once the germination process has started, you have to be mindful of the proper spacing and density to avoid overcrowding. Also, remember that there are seeds that are too small, which makes the one-is-to-one ratio per hole inconvenient. One classic example of this is the carrot.

There are crops that specifically prefer cold soils for germination. Examples of these plants include spinach and lettuce. You may induce germination by soaking the seeds overnight in a glass of cold water.

Now that you have planted the seeds, you have to cover the bale with transparent seed tray covers to protect the seed bed and the germinating seeds from potential hazards. The cover will help maintain a stable temperature because it will help retain the warmth coming from the bales due to the decomposition process. This warmth speeds up the growth of the seedlings and improves the germination percentage of seeds. The cover emulates the ideal greenhouse temperature variation, which involves warm temperature around the roots and cool air surface temperature. This is an expensive feature that will cost a lot of money to achieve in a regular garden. However, in a straw bale garden, nature is working to promote the best setup without you having to spend too much.

Due to the decomposition process and the surface temperature, there will be temperature measurement variations of about thirty degrees. This is considered normal because the decomposition process involves a significant amount of heat, thus increasing the temperature inside the bales.

The following list includes the plants that can be planted as soon as the bales are conditioned because they are the least susceptible to be hurt by light frost:

Beans

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Kale

Kohlrabi

Onion

Spinach

The next group is a bit more susceptible to light frost:

Celery

Chard

Endive

Lettuce

Potato

Lastly, these are the fruits and vegetables that should be planted while the temperature is generally warm:

Cantaloupe

Cucumber

Eggplant

Pepper

Pumpkin

Tomato

Watermelon

This list only includes the most common crops in terms of compatibility and susceptibility to frost, but straw bale gardening can accommodate lots of crop options for any excited gardener. However, I highly discourage you from trying crops that take a lot of space, such as sweet corn. Imagine getting only three or four ears of corn in a bale. This will, of course, be a waste of time, effort, and money.

Another group of crops that should not be considered is that which grows from a mother-root, such as the rhubarb. Straw bales will decompose completely within several years, and given that rhubarbs may require constant transplantation every other year or so, this practice may stunt their growth.

One of the best options for those who prefer low-lying and fast-growing crops is the strawberry. These prolific plants are inexpensive and pretty to look at, especially by the time it starts blooming and bearing fruit. An added bonus is that they are very easy to take care of. Strawberries are perennial growers, and they mature very quickly. This means that it will not take very long for them to yield fruits. The strawberries' runners, however, should be properly guided back to the main bale because they will run all over the place it not properly controlled.

Color Everywhere

As we have discussed earlier, you can add personality to your straw bale garden by planting its sides with flowers. Not only do flowers add color, they may even learn from your garden. You can even use your flowers as displays at home. Zinnias, Cosmos, Statice, and Asters are considered excellent for straw bale gardens. These plants are hardy and offer a variety of colors that could brighten a plain-looking canvas.

Aside from the previously stated flower options, you can also plant summer bulbs that can be harvested, divided, and stored for replanting in the following spring. These bulbs include Lilies, Gladiolus, and even Butterfly Ginger, which would work wonders for any straw bale garden.

Know the Weather

When there are forecasts indicating frosty weather, you have to make sure that the plastic covers for your garden are ready. If the forecast shows temperatures below 45 degrees, ensure that the covers are in place to stabilize the overall temperature. However, in cases in which the temperature shoots up, the cover should be loosened to moderate the surface temperature. By knowing the weather, you could better prepare yourself for changes that may occur in terms of watering. You can also adjust your garden configurations is you have an automatic system for watering and pest control.

Utilization of Liquid Fertilizer

Every two to three weeks, it is recommended that you apply liquid fertilizer. During these times, the seedlings are growing their third leaf. Gardeners who prefer organic fertilizers can use something like fish emulsion. To adhere to the traditional approach, the fertilizer should be mixed by a quarter of the regular mixture rate and then applied slowly, like drops of rain, so that the potting mix on the surface is not washed off. Liquid fertilizer promotes a more rapid yet controlled fertilizer flow as it reaches the young roots of the sprouts, thus making the nutrients readily available for absorption.

If seeds are planted, seed covers should be lifted to make sure that both water and fertilizer are properly distributed. Eventually, the covers should be removed permanently before the seedlings touch the roof of the tray covers. This is very important because as the tray covers absorb heat, which may burn the growing leaves and inhibit growth. This should be a gradual process – you can lift one end each day and complete the process within two to four days. This process allows the seedlings to adjust and harden by just a little bit, especially because a strong dry breeze can be deadly for them.

Day by Day

The best time to water your straw bale garden will be early in the day. This practice will enable the leaves to completely dry before the end of the day, thereby allowing excess moisture to evaporate and surface temperature to stabilize. There should be a balance in humidity because wet leaves and the soaked ground can harbor fungus and bacterial growth, which can be harmful to the plants. It is recommended that you water the plants by hand. You should also water the plants underneath the canopy to limit the amount of water on the leaves that would have to dry up. If you are using a hose, it is okay to allow some droplets to land on the leaves as long as you follow the ideal watering schedule.

Use a Soaker

One of the best ways to water your straw bale garden is to use a soaker hose placed on top of the bales. Soaker hoses promote subtle moisturization that is gently absorbed by the plants. It can be reinforced with liquid fertilizer by securing the applicator between the end of your regular garden hose and the soaker hose. This will ensure the proper distribution of the fertilizer.

If you can shell out some extra funds, you can purchase a programmable timer that you can install on the water faucet. This timer switches your water faucet on automatically three to five times a week. The faucet is activated long enough to saturate the bales. This comes in handy for gardeners who might have to leave for vacation as this removes the worry that the bales will dry out. As long as the straw bales is are not struck by flood, straw bale gardens cannot be over-watered because they have an effective natural irrigation and drainage system, which will enable the excess water to simply run down the bale.

Patience with Impatiens

A simple way to check whether your straw bale garden is receiving an ample supply of water is by sticking a finger into the bales and checking the moisture. Ideally, the bale should feel damp to the touch. Watering is required if the bale feels dry. You can also use your plants as indicators of whether the bale has sufficient moisturization. There are several gardeners who prefer to plant these indicator plants, such as Impatiens flowers, because they easily wilt when the ground is dry, but can go regain their health once watered.

There are so many ways to enhance your straw bale garden. You can employ everything from gadgets to vibrant colors to promote the life and aesthetic appeal of your garden. These options serve the specific purpose of keeping your garden looking good and growing well.

Chapter V: Straw Bale Garden for the Long-Term Gardener

One of the goals of experienced gardeners is to utilize the smallest possible amount of garden chemicals. However, keeping insects and diseases at bay is an actual challenge. Proper maintenance helps diminish the chances of your garden harboring unwanted pests. Good air circulation is considered the insects' enemy because this disorients them from their preferred still and shady environment. In a straw bale garden, typical pests will also lose their way because this is uncommon ground for them. The mechanics of straw bale gardening does not guarantee a pest-free gardening experience, but what it does guarantee is that the occurrence of insect or disease-related problems will plummet significantly.

Straw bale gardens are rich oases for critters. The leaves are lush and the fruits are fresh, thus providing a perfect buffet for birds, rodents, and even the neighbor's dog. You must exhaust all possible options to keep these critters out of your garden’s perimeter.

There are several helpful ways to ward off these invaders. You can form a perimeter fence to deter animals such as squirrels and deer. You can also employ electronic scarecrow devices that will either shoot jets of water or emit a frequency that would distract pests and keep them away.

For gardeners who would like to grow tomatoes, especially the vine-type ones, it is important that the plants be reinforced with stakes or cages. This method secures the plants in place and prevents the vines from growing all over the place, which may lead to overshadowing or bruised fruits. The cages will also look neat, especially when the tomatoes start growing around them. The stakes and cages promote easier harvesting as well, given that most of the fruits will just be around the covered cage.

Stakes, cages, and trellises may serve as a long-term support system for vines and herbs. They promote safety not just from critters, but also from strong winds and heavy rain as these reinforcements make the plants more compact and less delicate. Some newbie gardeners are discouraged by the prospect of installing these steel stakes and trellises because they rust. However, you should note that the time it would take for the steel structures to rust will be long enough for you to enjoy at least two to three cycles of harvest. If you come to think of it, it would no longer be a waste of money given that these structures will provide a great deal of convenience and aesthetic appeal.

Given that  straw bale gardening is a long-term hobby, depending only on how long you want to sustain it, it requires commitment and sustained maintenance. The effort required is no different from that for any other hobby that involves livestock and farming. The maintenance of a straw bale garden is not as massive or costly as that for other farming-related hobbies. However, in order to achieve a low maintenance level, you must be able to start with the right amount of patience, a generous dash of attitude, and a reasonable amount of effort.

Chapter VI: The Backyard Market – Harvesting Produce

Days will go by, and one morning, you will suddenly wake up and be surprised that you can begin harvesting what you have sown. The time between planting and harvesting is short for an enthusiastic gardener who really loves what he or she is doing. This reward is something that you can enjoy for yourself. You can even share this joy with your family, as a worthwhile harvesting experience will surely imprint a great memory of doing an enjoyable activity.

Harvesting – just a mention of this word should be sufficient motivation for you, especially if you are beginning to have doubts about what you are planning to do. This activity does not end with pulling out the carrots and radishes or cutting the pumpkins and melons from their stalks. Harvesting starts from picking produce and involves all subsequent processes, such as food preservation, canning, and even selling if you want to earn from the hobby that you have learned to love.

Proper Harvesting

There are different harvesting approaches, and adopting one depend on what crop has been planted. For example, lettuce and spinach should be pulled by the roots when harvested. The roots should be rinsed properly. Potatoes can be harvested by cutting the bale strings, which then spills open to reveal the potatoes. This minimizes the effort required to dig them up, which is something that is usually done in conventional farms. Vine crops can be harvested by using sharp tools to minimize vine trauma induced by dull knives and shears. Pumpkins and other vine crops that yield heavy fruits should be trained to yield flat rather than dangling around. This enables the fruits to grow evenly, which can enable you to earn some cash from their sale, especially during the Halloween season.

General Harvesting Tips

There are various unique ways by which you can determine whether your fruits and vegetables are ready to be harvested. For first-time gardeners, it takes practice to master this talent. Even expert gardeners may require several tries to distinguish fruits that are ready for harvesting from those that are either under or overripe.

Numerous factors can affect flavor in crops. These factors include seed variety, temperature, amount of water, amount of sunlight, and season. During harvest time, the most important things to consider are time of day and the initial evaluation of ripeness. Such harvesting information can help you pick your produce when they are at their best.

Vegetables, especially the leafy ones like lettuce, are best harvested in the cool morning hours so that they stay fresh and crisp. They also have longer storage life if picked this way. If harvested too late during the day, these veggies have a tendency to become limp and may wilt fast because much of their moisture has already evaporated. This is especially important for leafy greens like chard and lettuce and for fresh herbs such as basil and parsley. This is also applicable to crisp fruiting vegetables like peas, and those from the cabbage family like broccoli and radishes.

If you cannot do the harvesting in the morning, pick your produce in the evening after the heat of the late afternoon sun has begun to dissipate. Other fruiting vegetables, such as zucchinis, tomatoes, and peppers, are less sensitive to sagging and wilting, which means that they can be picked later in the day. Root vegetables like carrots can also be harvested during this time, but make sure to harvest them quickly and take them out of the sun and into the refrigerator immediately, particularly during the warmer days.

Canning and Pickling

Numerous available online guides provide detailed instructions on how to pickle produce, such as beets and other vegetables. Effective canning and pickling considerably extend the shelf life of your produce. You can even concoct your own signature recipe, which you can sell at the local market.

Freezing

Freezing is the easiest way to preserve produce. However, not all produce are compatible with freezing. In particular, leafy vegetables should not be frozen because they may become mush once thawed. Experienced gardeners are of the opinion that the best way to freeze vegetables and retain their consistency is to blanch them. Blanching allows faster freezing time, and the thawed vegetables tend to be crispier.

The key to prolonging the freshness of your produce is to keep them clean and avoid frequent transfers, which may cause blemishes that can accelerate rotting. This is important, especially once you have decided to take this hobby to the next level, which is turning your garden into a small-scale commercial farm. Sounds good, right?

Chapter VII: Beyond the Harvest – Making the Most Out of Your Straw Bale Garden

After the wonderful harvesting experience, your straw bale garden may look like the typical deserted garden with all the life pulled out from it. This is not the end of your straw bale gardening experience. Believe it or not, you can actually make the most out of your straw bale garden at this point. By the time you harvested all the produce, you can actually start planning a new chapter for your straw bale garden. You can utilize the remaining compost by mixing it with some fertilizer. You can allow this compost to cook during winter time. You can even use the remaining compost for other areas of your yard that may benefit from the nutrients that the planting mix can provide. It can supplement the nutrients for plants and shrubs planted in your backyard soil.

The best way to motivate yourself to engage in straw bale gardening continuously and sustainably is to determine how you define your perfect garden. Most gardeners that I have spoken with stated some factors that would make a straw bale garden not just the perfect growing medium, but also a wonderful hobby that everyone will appreciate.

Absence of Weeds

We all want to have a pretty garden that is not overrun by weeds, which need to be removed every so often. Straw bale gardening is an almost virtually weed-free gardening method that will keep you busy tending to crops instead of pulling out weeds.

Minimal Heavy Work

This does not mean that straw bale gardening is a no-sweat hobby. You have been warned that this will require effort for it to be successful. However, after all the sweat and time that you have invested in preparing this garden, the majority of the heavy work requirements will considerably diminish-especially in comparison to traditional gardening.

Absence of or Significantly Less Disease Problems

Given the fact that you will start with sterile materials, a straw bale garden is less susceptible to the diseases commonly found in garden soil. This ensures that you will have many days to appreciate your growing plants rather than spending most of your time treating the diseases that affect your crops. 

Absence of or Significantly Less Insect Problems

Because of the straw bale garden structure, insects that prefer calm leaves, ample shadow, and still air will not be interested in dwelling here because of its good air circulation and good sunlight. Fewer insects result in a lower possibility for crop contamination and infestation.

Accelerated Crop Growth

Straw bale gardening promotes one of the most favorable conditions for crop growth. It is an inexpensive counterpart of a greenhouse, and it can be built conveniently in your own backyard. The high nutrient content of the compost enables the speedy and healthy growth of seeds and transplanted seedlings, thus ensuring that gardeners like you will have a bountiful and prompt harvest.

Predictability

Given that your straw bales manage the parameters of the garden, you can easily predict how your garden will thrive in the long run. Straw bale temperature, moisture content, and surface air circulation can be managed and controlled with only slight adjustments in watering schedule and crop arrangement.

Please keep in mind that gardening is not something that you can try one day and then give up on the next. Gardening is not an experiment. It starts with curiosity and a passion that might still be a little fidgety because you do not have enough knowledge about how to execute it properly. Gardening starts with a heart that is committed to do what it takes. There is nothing more rewarding and satisfying than planting the seeds, seeing them grow, harvesting them, and later using them to prepare a hearty soup or a refreshing smoothie for the family. Gardening will require a lot of patience. It is not for the faint of heart or those who are easily overwhelmed or frustrated. Gardening involves labor – a labor of love, that is. It can become a legacy that can change you as a person, and an experience that you can share with your family and friends.

Conclusion

So many gardening interests can capture our attention. But having something capture your interest is the easy part. The challenge lies in kindling the fire of your desire to learn and engage yourself in a unique yet totally rewarding gardening experience. If you are up for a new experience , straw bale gardening can help you flex your muscles, both physically and mentally. Not everyone succeeds in this hobby because frustrations and hesitations are bound to arise along the way. Nevertheless, those who persist and are willing to learn new ways to garden will find themselves changed for the better by this unique experience.

Straw bale gardening may start as an engaging hobby but can quickly become a long-term passion for anyone willing to make the commitment. Allow this guide to serve as a motivational manual for you to rediscover the beauty of gardening using a simple yet effective approach that will enable you to make good use of your time that yields pounds of healthy, organic fresh food for your family.

Nothing worthwhile ever comes without a little effort, but if you can overcome your fears, hesitations, and doubts, then you are in for a potentially life-changing experience that the simplicity and abundance that straw bale gardening can provide.

So, what are you waiting for? Isn’t time to start making those gardening dreams come true? Plan for your straw bale garden today!

Happy Planting!

CJ