How to Plant in Hay Bales
Hay bale gardening is increasing in popularity. Gardening in hay bales significantly reduces the amount of physical labor needed to set up and maintain a working garden. The soil does not need to be tilled and weeded, small animals which would ordinarily be pests in a conventional garden cannot bother your plants in hay bale gardens, and harvesting is easier because the plants are at a height that they can be picked without bending over. Hay bales can be purchased at farm feed stores or from farms where hay is baled. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hay bale
- Garden hose
- fertilizer
- Soil medium (top soil, planting soil, compost)
- Spade
- Plants or seeds
- Mist sprayer
Instructions
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1
Place the bale in the location with sunlight suitable for your intended plants. Do not untie the bale.
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2
Soak the bale with a garden hose twice a day for 3 days.
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3
Apply fertilizer to the top of the bale once a day for the next 4 days. Keep the bale wet by soaking it with the garden hose.
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4
Let the bale sit for a day to rest.
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5
Apply about 2 or 3 inches of soil medium to the top of the bale. Mist the soil with a sprayer.
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6
Plant seeds in the soil according to the directions given on the seed package. For starter plants, plunge the spade into the bale to make a hole to accommodate the plant. Add soil to the hole, then insert the plant into the hole and gently tamp the soil around it. Spray the soil around the newly planted seeds or plants with water.
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Water regularly to keep the bale from drying out. Fertilize once a week or as is appropriate for your plants. Harvest the yield when appropriate for your crop.
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Tips & Warnings
Even better than hay bales, plants can be grown in wheat straw bales. Wheat straw bales will have fewer or no weeds in them, whereas hay bales may contain weeds.
Once the bale has been started, it should not be moved. Be certain to place it in an appropriate location to begin with. Consider amount of daily sunlight and wind conditions when placing the bale.
The bales need to be kept wet. The bales drain so roots will not become overly wet.
Tall crops such as corn may not work well in a hay bale garden as the bale will tip over when the plant grows tall enough to be top heavy. Root crops such as carrots, onions and parsnips may not thrive well in bale gardens as their roots will be crowded.
Bales can be reused up to two more times. When finished, the bales can be composted.
References
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Comments
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hey this is a good way to grow a garden and to plant grass on the 5 acreas I just had clear with dozer Sherrie and Robin this would work for you guys to keep your small dogs out they won't jump onto your plants
