Comments on: Raised Bed Garden – Straw Bale Gardening

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 27 May 2009 01:33:20 +0000

I know people have grown the smaller alpine strawberries in straw bales but I have not heard results of regular strawberries being grown in straw bales. So I can not help you with your question. I also looked online and could not find an answer for this question.

When I grow strawberries outdoors I plan them in the ground but mulch heavily with straw. Denise

By: Jude

Jude — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:03:53 +0000

I have seen a photo or two of using the straw bales to grow strawberries in. Any ideas here from your experience?

Jude

By: Terri

Terri — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:55:59 +0000

Thanks for the info.
Terri

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:44:28 +0000

Hi Erica,

Pepper plants may take the longer growing season so buy plants and with your longer climate they should produce.

With squash it depends on the squash type and days it takes the squash to mature. With summer squash there is no problem. You will get a crop. I always plant two crops in my zone 5 growing zone. The plants seem to fade in august so a second crop gives me summer squash late into the growing season.

Winter squash you may want to buy plants to get you a head start. Often times in straw bales I go with transplants anyways.
Good luck! Denise

By: Erica

Erica — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:55:55 +0000

Hi-

We live in North Carolina and I would like to plant some bell pepper,squash and cucumbers. Is it too late to do that? Thanks! Erica

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:08:47 +0000

Root crops do not grow as well in straw bales. The bales tend to hold back root development. You could hollow out a larger area for the beet or make a ware bale garden and plant the crops in soil in the inside of the bale. But overall I grow beets in soil containers and just dump the container when its time to harvest the crop. Its fast and easy that way. Denise

By: Terri

Terri — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:34:04 +0000

I’m new to this but am an avid gardener. Can you grow beets in bales? If so how?

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:25:58 +0000

Hi Sally. Did you apply soil to the top of the bales? Soil will help keep the bales cooler and the straw moist.

Being an arid climate your bales will probably take a little more water. Did you soak them well before planting? Water the bales in the morning before the sun will dry up moisture.

You can use soaker hoses. You could also cut a 2 liter plastic pop bottle and insert into the bales, two per bale and get them most of the way into the bale with about 3 inches sticking out. Pour water into this pop bottle for watering. It will act as a funnel and take the water deep into the bale where it will help the roots the most.

If I am having a hot and dry period in the summer I sometimes will wet the sides of the bales to help the bales stay moister.

Overall the bales don’t take that much more moisture than regular gardens. Just watch the plants and see how they are reacting. And since you have limited time for watering the soaker hose may be your best bet. Good luck! Denise

By: Sally

Sally — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:10:52 +0000

I’m new at this-first year. I have several bales and wanted to put the watering on a timer for the days that I am not around to water. We live in an arid climate- 80-85 degrees, and not much rain. Can you make any recommendations for a watering system, once the bales have been planted? Do they require more or less water than traditional gardens? Should I use a black rubber soaker hose, or one of those flat hoses with holes on one side?
Thanks!

By: Denise

Denise — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:39:35 +0000

You are talking about topping off the bale with soil? Yes, this is a good idea. The soil helps to keep the moisture in teh bale so it doesn’t dry out as fast. It will also supply more nutrients to the plant.

I have not had a mildew or mold problem. Or any diseases. I actually think you have less insect problems too. Many insecxt hide in soil and without as much soil around the insect seem to go to another food source. Denise