How to Grow Tomatoes in a Hay Bale

Tomato plants can be grown using a hay bale. The bale decomposes, replacing the need for conventional soil. One technique utilizes conventional fertilizer, another is an organic method.

Things You'll Need

• Hay or straw bale
• Water
• Tomato plants
• 7 1/2 ounces ammonium nitrate fertilizer
• 1 cup 3-13-13 (N-P-K) fertilizer
• Topsoil or potting soil
• Manure (organic method)

Instructions

Conventional Method

1. Select a date to plant the tomatoes. The date should be at least 10 days in the future.

2. Ten days before the target date, saturate the bale with water. It must be kept wet for the next several days.

3. Three days after the initial watering, treat the bale with fertilizer. Spread five ounces of ammonium nitrate fertilizer through the bale. Saturate the bale for three more days.

4. Add more ammonium nitrate on day four. The recommended amount is 2 1/2 ounces. Keep the bale moist for two more days.

5. Apply one cup of 13-13-13 (N-P-K) fertilizer. This variety contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Water the bale to distribute the fertilizer, but do not saturate it.

6. The next day, spread a small amount of potting soil or topsoil a top the bail. A layer of 3 inches will suffice.

7. Pull open the bale or dig a hole. Place the tomato plant inside, so it is enclosed in the bale up to the first set of leaves. Typically, there is room for two plants per bale.

Organic Method

1. Before harvesting the hay or straw, arrange them into wind rows. If you do not grow hay, open the bale and spread it on the ground.

2. Spread manure on top of the hay.

3. Bale the straw or hay.

4. Pull open the bale. Place the tomato plant inside, so it is enclosed in the bale up to the first set of leaves.

5. Water the bale.

Tips & Warnings

• It is easiest to pull the bale apart between the flakes. Each section of the bale is called a flake, and they are natural separation points created by the baler. When you put your hands inside the top of the bale, there will be a small separation every few inches. The hay may decompose. This is a normal and expected occurrence. Place the hay in a container if this is a concern.

• Manure will cause the bail to retain heat. This may protect the plants from a late frost, but may also cause rapid decomposition.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension
• The Post