Straw Bale Gardening - Conditioning the Bale

[@stevencrager2576]

My God girl, you have got to be the most informational person on the net, I have no idea where you learned all this stuff, and I have seen most of your vids, but you have got it going on!! I am 60 years old now and farmed when i was young, but I had no idea how very great things could have been. with two back surgeries, and needing another but the doctors will not do it. this kind of gardening would help me a lot. God Bless you and yours. I needed to know you when I was younger, it would have been great to have had knowledge as you possess. I thank you! !! May you Live Forever !!!

[@reneebrown5598]

Steven Crager I feel your pain. I've had 3 back surgeries and will refuse any more. Third time was the charm for me. No more. But I agree. She's very very knowledgeable and very right. I got an electric wheelchair so that I could garden. I've managed to get my greenhouse put up so my next project is to fill it. And fill it I will. Looking forward to getting my full garden going but one step at a time

[@Waffle_cones]

Let's see, if you wished that you would have met her when you were "younger" if your 60 that maybe 30 years ago, she wasn't born yet, you you cradle robber. All in fun, mark

[@timothystinson2351]

Steven Crager she’s definitely beautiful, I have a hard time paying attention

[@MrEido08]

Dont look directly into her eyes cause you’ll be hypnotized and unable to to sustain attention. Im 84 yearz old, Who knows what will happen if your younger! Perhaps she could wears sunglasses ? Great channel.! Im gonna try her egg recipe now!

[@Deerhtiek]

Hi from Australia, great video! You have encouraged us to replace our " in the ground convention away " with bales of hay. We are on Day 8 with 34 bales. I have been videoing the whole thing maybe show it as a lay back Aussie style never done this before so if I can do it any one can. So far with your direction it's right on track. Thank you. We are very happy with it so far. Keith

[@rongray4118]

Love that CAT!! He's up to something ALL THE TIME! Sure of it!!

[@shamasi1968]

Thank you for putting out complete and understandable information on bale growing. I have looked everywhere to find how to start with no luck. Great Video.

[@SurvivalHT]

***** no problem :) That why i did it lol cause i had trouble finding good info too

[@pamcarr5928]

I found several books in the library on straw bale gardening. Books to buy on Amazon as well.

[@dawnpike6702]

Thanks Survival HT. I have just started my straw bale conditioning and am now on day 8. They are heating up just like you said and I am so excited. I check back with your video to refresh my memory and make sure I am on the right track. Can't wait to plant. I refer to you all the time and want to see more people give this way of gardening a try. Thanks again for your great videos.

[@dawnpike6702]

@Pali Chretien It turned out great.

[@Sarairose]

I been straw bale gardening for 3 years,thank you so much for this awesome educational 👍really enjoyed this information. 😊 I’ve subscribed.

[@marialane1805]

This is one of the most informative videos on straw bale gardening on KZbin! You offer so many great tips!

[@dianacoe5793]

I have watch all the hay bale KZbin video and you are the only one that have stated they will catch fire and that they will cook your seeds... Thank you I had straw in 100% sun was afraid of that but no one ever mention it... Good thing I kept it wet

[@jimnorlem6802]

This was very interesting , I am going to try this outside this spring . It looks like an easy way to grow.... You do a very good job of explaining things. Thanks for taking the time to do this.... Blessings

[@marilynroesler4464]

I've been doing straw bales gardens for years. I grow EVERYTHIN in them including tomatoe plants. you need to make your hole in the bale and before planting you need to put a little soil in the hole before you plant so the roots don't dry out. Also once planted I use a dripped (soaker) hose and keep everything WET you can not over water in a straw garden but you can have it to dry! . Also lay your bales NORTH TO SOUTH so they get all day sun. When preparing your bales put 1/2 cup nitrogen each bale every other day for 10 days soak completely everyday. Nothing should die unless your doing something wrong. When bales are ready, mushrooms will grow and there will be a sweet smell. GOOD LUCK TO BEGINNERS (no plastic is needed on the ground.)

[@deinse82]

YES, PLASTIC IS NEEDED ON THE GROUND. In fact it's the most important part, because it controls your runoff, so that you don't pollute waterways with chemical fertilizers.

[@michaelhawkins2993]

@@deinse82 or just use a natural fertilizer like bloodmeal.

[@deinse82]

@@michaelhawkins2993 Bloodmeal is natural? When was the last time you took a walk out in nature, and came about some bloodmeal? Bloodmeal is processed blood. Natural processes don't dump processed blood into waterways. Bloodmeal is a man made substance that's artificially high in nitrogen, and if you dump it into a lake, it will have the same exact polluting effect as the equivalent quantity of chemical fertilizer. So, again: whether you use organic or non-organic fertilizer, DO NOT let it run off into bodies of water (or groundwater). Because that distinction (organic vs. non-organic) is not the same as the distinction between what's natural and what's not. P.S. If what you're after is being natural: nothing you buy in a store is natural. The whole point of someone selling you something is that they made it: it's not something that's naturally occurring. If it was, you wouldn't need to pay for it, you'd just go to the woods and get some for free.

[@michaelhawkins2993]

@@deinse82 Bloodmeal is composted dead animal remains. Better than petrolium based fertilizers.

[@deinse82]

@@michaelhawkins2993 Bloodmeal is from dead animals, petroleum is from dead plants. Both come from a natural source, both have been put through processes that don't occur naturally, and they're both pollutants if they are allowed to run off into bodies of water. Those are all facts. Not sure how those facts would lead you to conclude that one is "better" than the other.

[@wjf213]

Great info. I've never seen this done before, but I have seen a couple of barn fires when I was back on the dairy farm in Northern Wisconsin. You put up wet or freshly mowed hay, you've got a darn good chance of a fire. You mow it, rake it and let it dry a day or so and then rake back over again and let it dry a day or so again and then bail it up and the whole time you pray for no rain. Not only can it start a fire, the cattle won't eat it because it is full of mold and stinks. Keep up the great work.

[@PrepperDino]

Good point wjf213, Mold not good, I have raised llamas and alpacas for 34 years now, some of my llamas have lost their babies after eating mold hay. I have use my hay straw mixed with alfalfa for my dogs beds outside, the weather is damp this time of the year, so straw is better, but alfalfa kills that wet dog smell, and a dash of DE (Diatomaceous Earth) in their dog food and on their coats keeps the fleas away. Plus it helps to kill bugs on the veggies...

[@wjf213]

Prepper Dino That is a GREAT idea using DE for fleas on dogs. How often do you have to put it on them? I give mine a pill once a month. I hate giving them chemicals, but they and I hate the fleas worse. I do use DE when storing food. We only used straw or corn stalks for bedding for the animals and sometimes 2nd crop hay if its like sticks. The only reason we ever grew oats was for cover for the tender alfalfa from the sun. Oats isn't the best feed for dairy cows, but is does protect the alfalfa from burning up until the following year when it's cut and bailed, and of course the straw from oats is good bedding or as I've just learned, planting in a greenhouse.

[@PrepperDino]

Well, you could ck with your vet, but we try to mix DE in their dog food twice a week 1/2 teaspoon per dog, then skip a week, then twice on the 3rd week. Then see how well it works for you. Another cool way of caring for the fleas is to use "blue dawn" dish soap, (the one with the picture of the ducks on the front of the bottle lol) put some into a tall plastic trash can, make it soapy (we use a tall Rubber Maid trash can) and wash your dogs standing up in the trash can above the water line. Leave the soapy water on them let them dry out naturally. O yes be sure to wash around their face with a soapy wet rag to keep the fleas from running up their neck during their bath. Then dust the dogs with the DE power once a week or so. We have six dogs, they all fit in a Rubber made trash can... O and if you have fleas in the house some times or any kinda bugs for that matter, just sprinkle DE around the inside of your house, works every time. There to two different kinds of DE, get the one that is for humans, (Lowes, Home Depo) yes you can even add it to your own cooked food for better dygestion (see health DE) We dump the used water in our garden or around our trees to get rid of bugs, or we wash our walk way with the left over water. Have fun!

[@kimboots1]

Husband warned me about fire hazard.

[@cygnus1965]

DE is useless when wet. Well not useless but as a pesticide it must be dry to work. It filters water Fine when wet.

[@congamike1]

This is a totally new concept for me. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@btpearce]

I have done this, It works great, I planted squash in my bales one year and those things took off, The plants were getting long so I decided to stake them up like a tomato plant, I had squash plants about 12 feet tall ( I used metal post I could add sections onto it as needed) Just drive the post through the bale into the ground . I must have got at least a bushel of squash of each plant. The down side to staking them was the plants were very top heavy and I had to add guide wires to keep them from falling over.. The following year I planted potatoes in what was left of the bales. That worked great as well. I used the soak-er hose set up as you did , I used a timer to turn it on for a few minuets 2 times a day ( worked like a charm). One hint if you start getting hay coming up it is easily managed with a pair of scissors just give them a hair cut. Good luck and keep us posted on how this works for you. My bales were outside not in a green house. Thanks love those blue eyes :-)

[@kelhawk1]

This sounds *perfect* for the 8 x 16 greenhouse addition I just built for my high desert tiny house!! You pointing out the heat sink potential of those wet bales got me so excited, I almost wet my pants! At 7500 ft, it can freeze in June or even July. As far as I am concerned, your videos remain the standard by which all other self reliance videos are judged. The chainsaw working in the background?...brilliant! ;-)

[@JustOchi]

This video was so beneficial. You are right no one ever said anything about fire danger or which side to plant on. I've got to go out and turn my bales over. lol That's ok better to know now than later. This is my first year and thanks to you I think I will now be successful. Who knows maybe next year I'll make an enclosure.

[@teridemola2386]

I have been straw bale gardening for about three years. I like to use the wider side gives me more growing space. I don't use fertilizer, I find compost works just fine.

[@kelhawk1]

I'm thinking sprinkle some of my Grean Bicycles compost tea over them...

[@persiusk]

I wish you great success sis. I tried this a couple years back, and didn't have much luck, but I think your setup is much better.

[@johnnyhicks3835]

Those eyes of yours ! WOW !

[@kathywinkler9802]

OK!! ....... First off, I want to thank-you for posting these videos!!...... I just found them last week, and are using your ideas to start my own straw bales!!....... I put my first Nitrogen on yesterday afternoon.... and it showered rain all night!! .... I'll let ya know how it works out for me!!

[@kcajmortsnnew1488]

Damn woman.....wish I could find one like you ...I just subscribed , being new to gardening , tho' I'm an old man , never had a place til now....anyway , I like that you are so clear and cover the bases , so hoping to get started this year...I have a composting toilet , and have been saving my piss all winter , so should be able to start the bales with that (will research more , of course ,but it's nitrogen rich , no?)....anyway , thanks for your efforts and KNOWLEDGE....farm girls are best...been in cities most of my life , so seeing you is SO refreshing.........

[@shahtegardens8033]

I love your cats!

[@richardkidd7234]

You're knowledge makes you beautiful. Thanks for the information.

[@seeamerica1]

Great job on the video! Very informative providing lot of details. Just the type of video I like; that way I don't have to keep searching for the info I need! Super job! I think you would be a wonderful producer & could make tv documentaries!

[@cf8959]

Also, I like how you explain the process and the reasons behind it. Thank you.

[@LyleAllenCairns]

Great presentation. As a boy my family cut the ties to they'd loosen up a bit and cover them with grass cuttings. Then really wet them and put them in the sun while watering them day and night till they were ready.

[@NavigatingwithNafe]

Disregard my question on the hail bails in your previous video. Now I know!! 👍👍 Great job!! Fantastic idea!! Pretty dagone smart!!

[@kencassyh]

Thank you for your timely reply. I live up north so green house gardens works good to extend growing time.

[@thespyder1971]

can't wait to see them with plants growing out of them. I'll have to give this a try....if I ever get my green house built.

[@AbdulmuatiAsiri37]

Thank you for the video. I have not seen any videos talking about the conditioning and the fire hazard to be careful about. Thank you for your knowledge.

[@Lauramagic18]

Well done girl! I love my hay bale garden. This was a great video!

[@finlandfarm1674]

Pretty cool... I may have to try that. Loved the kitty.

[@61mab]

Very nice and concise. You really know your subject and have a very good delivery. I would have gone out and read the riot act to that person with the saw ;.)

[@videosrfun4me189]

you might also use IBC totes cut in half to put your bales into that would collect the water (put an overflow hole two inches up). then you can make and hold your composted bales or soil to be gathered up more easily without the mess or scattering of the rotted hay..

[@kathiezuroweste6765]

You've done a very nice job of giving lots of great information. Kuddos!

[@westmc45]

This was a nice informative video I start mine this weekend and cant wait till I can grow

[@treedirt10000]

Awesome fun! Can't wait to see more.

[@robertfallin9733]

had delay. getting composting started cool weather + cold water I think. I have summer squatch, cukes, watermelon, heirloom tomatoe and peppers. Wet year has not been problem that soil based garden has had. My tomatoe is cherokee purple and the taste is diminishef from other years due to a heavy rainfall year. Good video that works!!!

[@KimsGardensandHome]

I want to try this since I really don't have a place for a vegetable garden. Great advice.

[@noturningbackever493]

I also did this several years ago--until the town changed us from well water to city water, which in spite of the low cost of the bales, the electric to run the well pump--drove it up too much, then the cost of the city water system also did, so I had to stop doing gardening this way. Now I just toss the straw around the plants and then water; they do keep the ground and plants moist without any mildew, which is a "welcome" problem with hay bale gardening. (Edited for spacing).

[@kimtanner8711]

I wish I had a green house like this, going to talk to hubby.

[@cottagegypsies2355]

very good video, clear directions, easy to understand..

[@shortcake41531]

Thank you so much for making the video and explaining it better!

[@ceciliawolgamott3462]

Can you do a video on how you built your greenhouse? Great job with the straw bale gardening! We love your videos!!

[@EezeeListen]

I found this video via watching a slingshot video by someone else, saw yours about the arrow slingshot and then was mesmerised by this straw bale gardening one. The presentation was excellent, your descriptions very clear and I will be watching a heap more that's for certain. I am not sure if this method would work over here in Republic of Ireland - it's always raining and as I live some way up a mountain, the land surrounding me is all rock, very uneven and too expensive to flatten for a greenhouse. Even so, I might try a few straw bales outside - can only try :) Best wishes and congrats on very interesting videos. Mike

[@SurvivalHT]

***** they do well outside. Try with a few and see what happens.

[@garygerow4822]

Thank you for this video and info ,this will help alot of us . Blessings . Keep up the great video,s Please .

[@jude7321]

Are you going to have a follow-up video of planting different vegetables? I would love to see that. Jude, from Kentucky ✝️🐴🇺🇸⚒️🇺🇸

[@othnielbendavid9777]

This is the best video! Thanks.

[@dirtpatcheaven]

You know it's a real homesteading/survival video when it has chainsaws in the background! Loved it! Great video!

[@katiedavis6025]

and a cat :O)

[@EverydayNation]

Great video. Thinking if doing a few of these with the kids this spring. Video is a lot better than some of what I have read online about doing it. Thanks!

[@robertl.fallin7062]

This video started me to thinking some of my garden should be relocated to a more sunny area. Truth is you can grow most anything on a concert slab using stray bales!

[@jtjjbannie]

I hope you make a follow up video. This is a new technique for me. I'd love to see how well it works.

[@SurvivalHT]

***** I'll post a follow up in a few days. As soon as I get it edited

[@danwaltz315]

This sounds interesting and I may try it in the next few years.

[@thomasackerman3995]

Thanks. Ill have to watch your other videos now. I came here cause I scavenged some hay to use with the no till method of gardening. I have some loose hay I scavenged . it's not rotten and I was gonna use some molasses and water to achieve a similar effect but may be I will get 3600 nitrogen whatever that is..lol..andYou have Purdy eyes.

[@steven2067]

Thanks I'm looking forward to seeing the results ;)

[@FensterfarmGreenhouse]

That's a pretty good deal on the bales. WHen did you build your greenhouse? I had to get rid on my cats after I bought my greenhouse. It's 30'x100' and the plastic is about 500 bucks a roll and I have two layers of it on the greenhouse. Anyway the cats like to climb on the plastic and poke holes in it. Cats had to go. If you add another layer of greenhouse film and a blower to inflate the layers you will eliminate the condensation or greenhouse rain that you are getting in there. If you used regular 6 mil plastic it will become brittle and crack in about 4 to 6 months. Chuck.

[@mountnman100]

Great straightforward advice Chuck. That was spot on.

[@FensterfarmGreenhouse]

Thanks Mtnman! God Bless! Chuck

[@gregcripps7291]

Love the cat.

[@greenhousefun3235]

Thanks. Very informative. I'm trying it today with two.

[@angelaleehealwithcompassio6525]

Perfect explanation, I'm inspired

[@sunnyhughes530]

update. it's working great thanks for the tips

[@brandonlasvegas]

Awesome video!

[@walkingmonument]

If you started this process in winter, it would be easier to control the temperature. Plus you could physically see if it's too hot cos of the steam

[@petediaz1492]

Loved the detailed video. I started with two small bails to try it out. It's been a week, with rain, and my bails are already up to 137 degrees F. At what point should I stop putting on the Nitrogen? I do't see mushrooms yet.

[@germainemcdonough1340]

This gal is fantastic.SO nice to see.Looking for her potato growing tips.

[@Hypnolarry]

Great video and I am planning on trying this method this year. 2 questions: 1.) when you add the cup of fertilizer on days 10-1 is it still every other day, or everyday for the fertilizer? and 2.) I don't have a green house and want to do this right outside, does outside weather and temperature matter? Thanks.

[@medosalsa8120]

Hi, I admire your work ... you're one of the best ... thanks a lot.

[@angelasharp6869]

Great video, well done!

[@jennmcadam8647]

Nicely done on the presentation, technique, and information. we are working on Aeroponics here in MN, along with our own natural homemade nutrients for the plants, but your video has convinced me we are adding this to our home gardening/ winter dug-out set up. Thanks for doing this video and all your other videos... they are amazing in depth and scope, as is your mission work. ...father-in-Law?

[@altecman21]

Thanks, Its always good info!! Your hands on approach has always Impressed me! Keep up the good work! looking forward to the next installment!! .....Jimmy.....

[@judithrauenzahn4530]

the drip hose is a "must have", I see people having a hard time finding nitrogen, I believe it was grass fertilizer I used last year, as long as the numbers are the same as what she gave you on this video, all my information is out in my shed, along with my fertilizer or I could give you the correct info. I had a hard time finding nitrogen last year and the garden center I normally go to, it was expensive. Some elderly gentleman clued me in on the grass food being the same thing! These ol' farmers know what their talking about! lol

[@kencassyh]

I really hope you update this video to show us how well your plants are growing in them hey bills.

[@cf8959]

Wait! What? Hey bills??? Too funny!

[@kylegaijin]

Great warning about fire hazards !!

[@RustyNail5856]

that's sounds great I will give it a try, thanks. an your very good looking.

[@wsearp]

Very very informative.... I only wish I had known that back in Ohio where I had my little farm...... I would have put that to use..... Where I live now in Florida I have no room to do it...... Thanks a lot.....

[@Ghostginthree]

Great video and info. Thanks

[@TheCarolinacadmanOutdoors]

Great informative video! Thank You!!!

[@mikemestros3130]

Fantastic information, thanks heaps

[@videosrfun4me189]

I would attach a fold down potting bench over the hay bales and start my seeds using the heat generated by the bales.. I could then transplant the already started seedlings when the bales are ready and fold the bench back up against the wall..

[@gardeningtipswithphil2244]

I have heard of this method for mushrooms. Will be interesting to see the results. Seems very water intensive, I wonder if you could make some sort of container that you can put the bail in and then contain the water, like a wicking bed.

[@timtravasos2742]

I'm sure you could break up the bales and spread them out on a bed or in a container.

[@IamMyshist]

A kiddie pool might work, as an experiment, although a tarp and chicken wire may be more affordable for larger gardens. I don't know if there are any drawbacks to doing that, though.

[@mmangla5575]

Thanks for the information

[@amandastanaway3153]

Hi, thanks for the video. One of the most informative I've seen. I have a question. is it possible to over water the bales while conditioning them? We watered them between 10-11 am, and not again until 9pm tonight. It was pretty warm out today so I thought they'd be pretty dry tonight but they were still pretty wet.

[@amandastanaway3153]

Also, I used my little garden trowel to poke the nitrogen fertilizer in while I watered because the pellets just sit on top otherwise. Should I have done that?

[@kimmoody8430]

Hi, thanks for your information. My cut side is on the larger side. I turned it on it’s smaller side however it’s not the cut side. Do you think it will still work? Hope so! Thanks.

[@danieljromero4930]

Great information. Thank you!

[@christopherselleck6307]

I have not herd with making the hay bale into the garden planter .I would question if the bale would loose it shape over time and fall flat ?How successful has this been what have you grown in them and how long dose a bale last for before needing to be replaced ?Thank you for the video the fire hazard need to be watched and important to point that fact out .

[@SurvivalHT]

+Christopher selleck there are other videos that I posted that answer these questions but the bale will last about 2 years before falling apart to the point of becoming compost. It works great and you can grow anything in them

[@fistfulpennies5792]

growing mushrooms on hay is great too by the way

[@a.8774]

Great information

[@Dinstructor1970]

First, of all let me say "Thank you" for the informative video on the straw bale gardening. I am trying to find a way to begin a garden as I am out of work due to a health issue. I was wondering since you only used 20 bales, do you think that it would be enough to support a family of four? I am looking to make this a year-round project, but getting started I am on a limited budget. Again, keep the videos coming as my family and I are following and learning.

[@rustickat92]

I'm doing straw bale gardening now, but noticed that the growth is slow compared to plants that were planted in the ground and containers. I'm almost sure I conditioned the bales properly and I continue to fertilize.

[@WORRO]

HA! Never thought of this before, great info!~~John

[@bushpushersdaughter]

Awesome video! Thank you so much!

[@marinaborn7958]

omg your eyes! Great informative video too

[@OurBucketListHasHoles]

Thank you for this great information. I have a question, if you don’t mind? My bales have been outside near the garden since fall. Therefore they are weather conditioned already. Do I still have to add the blood meal? I will be testing the temperature in the bale before I do anything. Thank you and take care-Debbie

[@tooterr101oldgeezer4]

very informative video. not very many people know how easy hay will combust on it's own. have you had any problems with the hay growing unwanted mold?

[@timtravasos2742]

That's incredible!

[@robynpatton6851]

Excellent information thank you. What form of Nitrogen do you use please? You say Nitrogen but also mention Nitrate? Love your work.

[@mushtaqahmad3129]

Thanks so much very nice video God bless you

[@Randy2747]

Great video and very informative Ty 😊

[@russellhester4671]

It is February now. I want to plant my broccoli, cabbage in straw bales. Can I do this outside in my garden? Will the bales heat up with your process?

[@rhaven50]

this is awesome, thanks. hope you will be doing updates :)

[@SurvivalHT]

rhaven50 will post an update in a few days

[@Vipenstrike]

Thanks for the upload

[@f8snrhand]

Ok. I have watched the first three vids and I am curious what hay you are using .. or does it matter? Also, Any input from Arizona? We are over 100 in the summer with zero humidity. Thanks for all the info. I can not wait to hook my mum up as she is needing a better way of gardening ... From Maine to Az is a tremendous change in gardening ..