STRAW BALE GARDENING

  • With their mini size compared to typical container gardens, straw bales are perfect for any surface - from grass and sand to concrete or ash felt! Plus, since they're already lifted off the ground, anyone struggling with bending or squatting can easily reach them.


  • Straw bales are a natural source of numerous micronutrients, such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, iron and manganese. By providing some assistance to begin the decomposition process these nutrients will be released into your soil and give your plants an extra nutrient boost - that's what makes Straw Bale Gardening so great!


  • Straw bale gardening is a magical method of composting as you go! The decomposition process creates warm root space for your plants which encourages rapid growth. If you're located in a temperate climate like the Bellarine, this style of gardening allows you to start planting earlier than usual and extend your vegetable growing season. Even if outdoor space is limited, straw bales can still work wonders in small greenhouses or even covered porches; giving you all-year-round access to fresh veggies straight from your own garden!


  • Straw is an excellent resource for those looking to conserve water, as it absorbs and stores precious liquid. Keep this in mind when watering your plants so you don't overdo it!

    And it keeps getting better!

    Straw bales serve as an effective measure against pest infection and disease. Since it's virgin soil, you don't have to worry about weeds, viruses like blight, or any other unwanted vegetation; plus the elevation increases airflow so that mildew and mould can be easily avoided. Additionally, being at a higher level allows you to spot insect pests quickly and take subsequent action in no time!

    Are you wondering, "How do I get started?" Don't worry - let us help guide you!

STEP ONE:

Wallington's offers budget-friendly straw bales throughout the year, and this is a great place to start with your garden. You could opt for hay instead since it has more nutrients; however, you need to be careful of unwanted seeds in the bundle. Also, make sure that whatever surface you use for your straw bale should absorb extra water--cardboard works wonders! To create an aesthetically pleasing look, some people have even gone as far as building special containers specifically tailored for their own unique gardens. The decision is yours: you can place your bale in a raised bed, or even on concrete surfaces. Straw bales contain all the nutrients essential for greenery growth, so no matter where you decide to position it—it could be soil, paving stones or grass—your garden will thrive!


For optimal absorption of water and fertiliser, position your straw bale on its side with a string running around the outside to secure it. Remember that one side is cut while the other is folded--you must have the cut side facing up!


Before the start of the sowing season, make sure to place your bale in a strategic location - it will become extremely heavy when decomposing and retaining water, so you won't be able to move it after. To ensure optimal hydration throughout the garden bed, lay down a soaker hose across its centre for maximum efficiency.


For optimum plant growth, give your straw bales a minimum of 12 days to prepare before sowing. Fertilizing right after planting can raise the temperature too much and damage delicate root systems; therefore, if you hope for a bountiful harvest, this step is necessary!


For optimal results, select a fertilizer high in nitrogen to bring warmth into your straw bale garden. If you opt for compost or chicken manure, make sure it is blended with something loaded with nitrogen such as blood meal or a special store-bought mixture – always ensure the ratio of these two components is 50/50.

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Straw-bale-in-Container

STEP TWO:

Days 1-3: Soak the bale to keep it fully hydrated.

Days 4-6: Water in a full dose of fertilizer, calculated for an area of half a meter squared. Make sure to not let the bale dry out!

Days 7-9: Supply with a half dosage of nutrients and maintain its wetness.

Day 10: Monitor moisture levels while keeping track of its internal temperature until it stabilizes at ambient air temps.


To ensure your vegetables are at their optimum temperature, you can measure it with a thermometer or estimate by touching the bale. It usually takes from several days to seven days for the environment to stabilize - and once that's complete, planting time has arrived!


Straw-Bale-watering

STEP THREE:

You can either directly plant into the straw, or you could use a trowel to create a small hole, which you should then fill with potting mix. This will give your seeds something more secure so they don't just fall through the bale and onto the ground. If you are transplanting seedlings be sure to include some of their existing potting soil when planting them. For maintenance going forward make sure to keep your bale moist but not soaking wet - overwatering may lead to vital nutrients washing away from your plants! Additionally, if any of your foliage begins yellowing add an occasional dose of fertilizer for extra nourishment.

If your straw bales are starting to lose their shape or droop, you can support them by using garden stakes and chicken wire/string. For those with gardens on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt, bricks or Besser blocks will help give extra reinforcement.

Straw-Bale-planting2

Straw bale gardening is a great way to grow all kinds of vegetables, from potatoes to peppers. Just keep in mind that plants like tomatoes or corn may need extra support because straw offers less stability than soil. As your straw bales won't last more than two years before they expire, you should avoid planting anything perennial. Once the old hay has decomposed and broken down into nutrients, it makes an excellent addition to traditional gardens! And with that said - happy harvesting!


Kickstart your straw bale gardening for Summer with Wallington's WRG! We have a wide array of products to help you get started - from fertiliser and soaker hoses to potting mix and seeds. Plus, we can provide old cardboard too if needed! To check out our stocks or speak to an expert team member about what you need for the upcoming season, give us a call on (03) 5250 2056 or drop by 370 Grubb Road in Wallington today.

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