Straw Bale Prep Shortcut
Finding easier ways to grow our food is something I am always on the look out for. As I get older and my body refuses to do the things I once loved to do, shortcuts are my solution. My favorite gardening shortcut is growing our vegetables in bales of straw and this guide on Straw Bale Prep Shortcut will get you to the planting stage quickly.
How to start a backyard garden using bales of straw to grow the food you love. An easier way to garden shortcut that will change the way you garden.
If you are familiar with straw bale gardening, then you know all the steps that are needed to prep the bales so they are ready for planting. If you are new to this method of gardening, let’s get you caught up on how this works.
What is straw bale gardening?
Straw bale gardening is a method of container gardening in which you use a bale of straw as the container for growing in. This is a great way to grow all the veggies you love in a compact way that is easier on your back and takes little space. At the end of the growing season, the bales and plants can all go into your compost area.
How do you prep the bales?
In order to transform a bale into a growing container, you first need to compost the interior of the bale down turning it from straw to the perfect material to grow in. As the straw composts it turns into a fine material that resembles soil where roots and root vegetables do very well in.
What can be grown in straw bales?
Any annual can be grown in bales, and each year, as I try out need options, I am pleasantly surprised at how well the plants do.
- Tomatoes and peppers
- Herbs
- Lettuce
- Carrots and radishes
- Vining veggies such as pumkins
- Root veggies like potatoes
- Squash
- Even corn
Straw Bale Prep Shortcut
In order to prep a bale for planting you need to compost the interior and that takes time and a specific list of steps that are done in a specific order.
Usually, you add a complete fertilizer to the bale, alternating with good water for around 10-14 days. For the longest time, I was not happy with organic options because I found they did not do the job as well as nonorganic. However, I have since had the opportunity to use Bale Busters, and I am happy with the results. Get the full Straw Bale Garden Prep Recipe Here
Bale Busters is an organic fertilizer made to compost the interior of a bale for planting and growing vegetables.
BaleBuster1 100% Organic Bale Conditioning Formula for one Bale Preparation for Straw Bale Garden and Vegetable Garden Planting
Straw Bale Gardening Starter Kit Includes Instructional Book by Karsten and BaleBuster 5 Organic SBG Preparation Mix formulatedBaleBuster4 Starter Kit Includes Straw Bale Gardens Complete Book with Instructions for Step-by-Step Garden Set up.BaleBuster Straw Bale Gardening Five Bale Preparation kit with 100% Organic Formulation Blood Meal 18 lbs Includes Bacteria and Fungi Spores
The instructions can be found on the outside of the package and walk you through each step making it easy to do and succeed with.
Growing a garden in bales of straw is a great way to garden. It allows you to lift your garden up higher which is great if you have back or knee issues. It also allows you to tuck bales in to small areas allowing you to grow even if you are short on space.
Use this straw bale prep shortcut to get your bales ready for planting and growing the veggies you and your family love.