Hay Bale Vs Straw Bale gardening -DIY Daddy

Which is better? Whats the difference? Whats the best way to do it and other things you need to know.

[@Mo-wh5nu]

This was quick and to the point. Thank you.

[@darylclare9597]

Here in New Zealand my veggie garden is starting to die off, so I'm prepping garden for next summer. I placed cardboard over the garden where potatoes, tomatoes etc once grew. Grabbed some cheap hay bales for $10.00 and thought hmmm I could use that as mulch. Before watching the end of your vid I was gonna remove all the cardboard and put hay straight on top of the soil. Luckily I watched to the end. Thank you so much for all your recommendations - First timer using hay :)

[@svetlanikolova7673]

You should set up an experiment . do one bed with hey the other with straw and plant strawberries in both and record all your findings for us to see. You can also put compost then newspaper on top of the bales to control weeds.

[@svetlanikolova7673]

I have a 7 foot high 500 sq foot hole in my back yard because I live in the mountains. I will set them up in the fall so they get plenty of water. I am also putting 5 inches of horse manure on top , watering frequently with urine water mix for the whole fall and winter

[@tomfike9975]

This will be my first year of trying hay bale garden. Straw is currently 9 dollars a bale and hay is 5. I know there will be more seeds and possibly weeds but I'm going to give a go. Is there any other preparation other than keeping the bale of hay wet and do you have to fertilize during the season

[@debraharmon7682]

I have been hay bale gardening for years with no weeds. I use chicken poop and cover the tops. Water once I see mushrooms in plant right in the bale...

[@reneebrown5598]

Your raised bed/hay bale garden is exactly what I was planning on to get my garden started. I want deep raised beds because I'm disabled and can't bend a lot after several back surgeries but I love to garden. So I figured I'd have raised bed boxes built and fill them with hay bales. Like you I'm not looking to straw because it's nutrient void. How deep are your beds? I'm thinking for the most part 2' or 2 1/2' should be about right for me. That way as it settles I can top it off with compost and rabbit manure.

[@DIYDaddy]

They vary on the width of the free pallet wood I use but mostly about 2 feet

[@pattydaniels805]

When you set your hay bales out in the fall, do you still condition them with nitrogen fertilizer?

[@bravesfan1947]

Will you make a video when you start planting? I appreciate your videos my friend!

[@svetlanikolova7673]

You prepare your bales on the fall and plant in the spring

[@chevy6299]

Keep in mind any raised bed will need more water than planting directly into the ground. I think the trade off for raised beds are worth the extra water needed.

[@DIYDaddy]

absolutely

[@stefnaad]

The audience learns when you show what you are discribing. Ya know?