Planting Straw Bale Gardens

[@ohthatisfunny]

Love the fact that you folks are animal lovers! The two cats make me smile.

[@lanier1747]

Your pets seem to enjoy themselves!

[@rogermass522]

Thank you very much young lady for your knowledge and professionalism, God Bless.

[@danshaw9479]

I'm new to SBG and have been watching a lot of videos but this one was exceptionally helpful, especially for its caution about fire. Thanks!!!

[@ohthatisfunny]

I really appreciate your videos. You have inspired me to start my own straw bale garden. Please keep posting!

[@kencassyh]

I love the way you are willing to try new things and see what happens.

[@brettpierce6844]

Listen, this is the best video series I have watched on this. This way is more viable for me since the extension agency basicly stated my ground was no good and gave me a recipe of lime and fertilizers that would cost me a small fortune on where this I can do really cheaply....ty so much for your time in showing this!!!

[@hjfoiggs69]

Suggestion: when planting small seeds, mix them with Play Sand or Sand that is lighter in color than the Dark Soil. It will show you where the Seeds will be. I use a Plastic Grocery Bag with a Packet of Carrot/Radish-ETC & add 4-5 cups of Sand. It extends the Seed Packet & cuts Thinning.

[@susiedbc]

Harold J. Briggs Thanks for this! Great idea!

[@DonnyPavoliniOutdoors]

What's not to like and learn from this video? This was simply brilliant! Great information. A lot of work went into this and I appreciate it. Have a great day! - Donny

[@brendariley8260]

I just found your videos today and I have to say I've become a big fan! My husband and I have decided to start a U-Pick It on your 4 acres now that we're retired. Our soil is not very good and we've added several raised beds made from wood pallets we were given. "heat treated not chemically treated". We've put in 227 strawberry plants last year that I propagated from 5 cabot plants that I bought. This spring we've added 300 more plants I purchased of 8 different varieties in order to extend the production season. I have a goal to propagate these 527 plants into 4,000 by the end of this season, but we can't build enough pallet wood raised beds that quickly. As our soil is not that great after tilling I purchased a dump truck full of topsoil to add to the raised rows to plant the strawberry plants in, but it's not going very far and will be too pricey to be a good option. I wondered about using straw bales put into rows, conditioned, and strawberry plants added to them after conditioning. Do you think they would over winter well since they will be outdoors not in a greenhouse, or do you think the strawberry plants would not survive the winter temps. of southern Indiana. We're about 3 miles from the Ohio River and the temps here will go below 0 quite often. With occasionally cold snaps of -10°F. or so. Strawberries planted in the gound or in raised wood pallet beds will fare fine, but do you think straw bales planted with strawberry plants would be able to survive? Thanks for your great videos on this and your homemade chicken feed and tips. Love 'em. Thanks again.

[@gardeningtipswithphil2244]

Very interesting system and the plants seem to be doing well. Looking forward to the next update.

[@NavigatingwithNafe]

👍 great progress!! the vegetation is looking beautiful!!

[@dufusrunescape]

one year i made two rows of wheat straw bales in front of the house for my wifes flower bed then filled the space with cured horse manure. the chicks ate the wheat grass, the bales held the rain so we didnt have to water. they worked 3 years before rotting compelty away. then the flower bed had enuff compostto become a dwarf apricot tree place. which turned out to not be a dwarf when it got to be 15 feet high, and got moved to the west yard near the horse pasture. the following summer the horses broke the fence to get to the apricots.

[@garyc8208]

I am amazed. Didn't know anything about this way of growing a garden. Thank you. I am anxious to see the future stages of how this growing goes on. Maybe starting a green house and hay bale garden of my on soon.

[@med1pilot1956]

Really enjoyed the demo and helpful information. I did find it hard to concentrate from the distraction of those startlingly beautiful eyes, but other than that will be viewing all the rest of your straw bale videos to prepare for our garden this Spring. Thank you for sharing the experience.

[@TxBlue454]

More cooking vids would be greatly appreciated! The vid you made on the gar fish looked awesome.

[@deanobrien5934]

going to try this soon as the spring gets here,,still lots of snow on the ground here in NB Canada..great video!!

[@wjf213]

This is very cool. I can not believe a sucker you stuck in there is growing. I never would have guessed that, but if it produces fruit, that's some thing to keep in mind when the tough times hit. I hope you let us know if you get tomato's from it. Keep up the GREAT work.

[@cashk100]

Love straw bale gardening, thats were I had the most success.

[@TheRjmayer]

My neighbor does this and it works REALLY well. It does smell after a little while but if you can't take the smell of rotting straw you're probably not interested in planting a garden of any kind. Also love the dog rolling around on the straw lol.

[@3flashcan]

Sorry to ask about another video but I could not find the one I wanted . Back in the fall you show vidoes training Titus to rabbit hunt . Whatever happen to showing more on his training. And the hay bales are a great idea for city living which I hate . Got to get back to the country . Thanks for all the great videos.

[@SurvivalHT]

3flashcan More rabbit videos will be coming. Just been tied up with other projects. I didn't get to do much hunting at all this fall but I will get back to it asap

[@3flashcan]

Thanks for the update. And I'm goimg to try the haybale planting . I have a small backyard and I think I could get more veggies using them I'll let you know later this year.

[@paddlefootwt]

Love you videos, they are so much better than HGTV.

[@btpearce]

Looking good :-) looking forward to the next update.

[@Sirmau]

Thank you for the video, very helpful and a learning process... I cant stay away from your eyes... beautiful

[@anniequilts]

I saw this method last year and it looked like such a good idea. I went out and bought 6 bales of straw and started watering them like you are supposed to. Unfortuntely, whatever grain had been harvested had not been harvested very good, because it started spouting. I had 6 bales of rapidly growing grain. It was almost impossible to weed out. What I did plant did not do well. The bales needed a LOT of watering. I like my kiddie pool planters much better.

[@SurvivalHT]

anniequilts The right amount of nitrogen show kick off the cooking process that will raise the temps in the bales high enough to kill the seeds and prevent the weeding issue.

[@anniequilts]

Survival HT nitrogen - hmm....ok, I guess I won't toss my Straw Bale Gardens book in the compost pile yet and might give it a try again if I can find some cheaper straw (it is expensive where I live). One good thing, I now have a pile of nicely composted straw to use in my kiddie pool planters LOL

[@bobbob-es3cp]

+Survival HT have you tried using pee to condition those bales? It works really well and it doesn't stink! Great videos

[@GardenVariety2]

I love thethat! I think I’m going to give that a try this year! Thank you! ❄️☃️🥕🌱🥦

[@lorrainedunagan6470]

I am glad to see you have the same helpers as me! LOL

[@janetpyle5057]

I am on my 6th day of conditioning and am not getting any heat yet. My bales are outside and I am in North Ga. What could be going on? Really glad I found your videos, they are great!

[@SurvivalHT]

Might need more water

[@janetpyle5057]

+Survival HT Thanks for the info. I'm on my 11 or 12 day, I'm still working it and can't wait to start planting. In the middle of your pallet couch video so going back. Keep posting your vid's they are great and I love the animals.

[@beebob1279]

KZbin is full of great stuff. I never thought of growing things in straw bales. We have such heavy clay here the crops are limited. Something to look into. Can I use these the following season or do I need new bales?

[@DeltaYogi]

I am interested in doing this outside, but was wondering if I took all the dirt out of our raised beds, could I just drop bales in and do this? We have chickens so can you use their droppings? I know they have a lot of nitrogen. Thanks

[@chuckgdry]

Thanks, I've been wanting to do this now i know i will. Great videos.

[@scottm2865]

Great vids..what should the internal temperature of the bale be on the day of planting?? I know it was around 120 during the condition process but what does it need to be on planting day???

[@danwaltz315]

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

[@sheilajohnson6478]

The dog is adorable. It’s wanted to play. Lol

[@antiquecatfishing7068]

What is the plastic called. That you have used on your green house, and would an “A” frame structure work as a green house?

[@stone9485]

Ooooh wee! The straw bales around here, Hot Springs, NC are $ 6 regular sprayed, to $ 15 a bale if you get organics.

[@11rs11]

Impressive results! Subscribed!

[@ronaldcaple7953]

How many years can a bale be used directly outside before it gets useless? Great project for me since I am disabled and weaker. Thank you for these videos.

[@XLB1987]

I did it. My bales got up to internal temp of 120°F for awhile. Im growing grape tomato now. Im in Florida too so have not had hard freeze yet.

[@nighthiker8872]

I think you would do good teaching a day summer camp.

[@ljsenial3164]

Survival HT that's an interesting idea. I'm just wondering, where can I buy the straw bale? I just started gardening this year and I am looking for ways to save $$ on gardening supplies, etc. Looking forward for your answer. Thanks.

[@shamasi1968]

Once again great video and excellent information. Now, I wonder if fruits like strawberries would do well in straw.

[@SurvivalHT]

***** yea, strawberries do great in them

[@noxiousnews]

Survival HT I've seen some people plant out the sides of these. Any recommendations as to what would work well growing out the front side instead of the top?

[@emickkart25]

Miranda, I know your dad grows sugar cane outside. Would you think that I could use these bail techniques for personal sized crops of sugar cane, corn, or even tree starters like avocado and coffee bean trees?

[@stephaniew3789]

So when you say it's got mushrooms it's ready, is this what you mean? I have issues with this I don't know if it's OK or not. But this is what I have after 2 weeks, maybe more. Note I haven't planted anything.

[@juanmartinez-mv3gb]

Mahalo. very interesting!!. tho ,here in hawaii the hay is 3 to 4 times more than in the mainland.i do enjoy your videos. aloha and a warm embrace. juan in the boonies, big island

[@rverro8478]

Hello ! Out of curiosity, what is the average low temperature in your part of the globe ? I live right across New-York State (Canadian side) and we get easily some minus 30's during winter. I think I'm in zone 5. We do suffer from late season gardening and, as a 3rd year veteran in gardening ( wooptee-doo) , I miserably suck at it because mother nature like to throw some late frost at us. Any suggestions on how to protect the young plants from frost without choking them to death ? Thank you very much.

[@alletasmith2639]

Hey I just found your channel and I did subscribe so I’m your new subbie. I like your greenhouse, do you have a video on how you made your greenhouse? Thanks for sharing this.

[@soren1771]

Beautiful and smart

[@goforgreenliving]

They look ready to grow. I have grown in strawbales but did not mean to but they did work quite well do you every have a nitrogen problem after they start breaking down? Great video Thanks

[@SurvivalHT]

goforgreenliving no all that gets released in the "conditioning phase" before you plant.

[@Gaithersteve]

That's awesome. The striking idea for me is the heat generated from the decomposing bales. Its enough heat to protect the plants against freezing. I'm wondering which type grass the hay bales are?

[@jodi8727]

Steve Gaither Wheat straw.

[@evelynconde7987]

Hi, I followed your directions on everything and my bales didn't warm up too much. Could I still plant in them or do I have to start again?

[@xpallodoc]

Really cool video

[@atlanticwoodsman8347]

Great video... Did you ever have any earwig problems? We have that issue and not sure how we can eradicate them without using chemicals 😟

[@SurvivalHT]

Luc Duchesne no I've never had a problem with them.

[@doughuffine9357]

Amazing , you’re the real deal girl

[@engineerjay420]

You have a lot of great ideas and piercing eyes too!

[@GatorLife57]

Pretty cool ! Wado for sharing !

[@rhaven50]

just lovely. thanks for the update :)

[@thecityman1910]

can you please tell us what kind of fruit is growing on those trees at the very beginning of this video, behind the turkeys? Is it oranges? Asian Persimmons? Thanks!

[@AlanKidd4life]

Great videos, and very informative. You mentioned that mushrooms begin to grow when the bales are decomposed and ready to plant in. Are the mushrooms that grow on the bales toxic/poisonous, or are they edible as well? I just built a greenhouse and was wondering how to keep heated in the winter. Best idea yet is the straw bales. Thanks!!!

[@RusticByNature]

Looking forward to seeing how well this works. What part of the country do you live in?

[@SurvivalHT]

Rustic By Nature Louisiana

[@OnTheSound]

I wish I had the yard space for a greenhouse. I've gotten sick from moldy straw/hay bales in the the past when spreading to seed lawns. Will the wet bales sitting in the warm greenhouse mold faster, and if so, does the mold affect the plants?

[@SurvivalHT]

OnTheSound When you are conditioning the bale it will mold a lot. If you are inclosed or sensitive to it wear a dust mask during the conditioning phase. After the 2-3 week conditioning i haven't had any mold. But to answer your question, no the kind of mold that grows in hey isn't the kind that bothers plants.

[@bettyanndalton3447]

I was considering this but would squirrel or mice try to live in the bales? How could I prevent it. We're very rural. Thanks.

[@pambonifacio8745]

What do you do with the bales of hay in the fall when gardening is over?

[@joeduncan7678]

Don't know about you all, but buying pure nitrogen is hard to find. Since the OKC bombing my nursery told me you can't buy pure nitrogen anymore. So I ended up buying Ammonium Sulfate 21 0 0. So here is the bottom line question. Do I add more than 1/2 cup for the first 7 days of operation or do I go more than the 7 days?

[@peters855]

Having limited space i think i might try a 1/2 doz bales but would do the bales mold up in a closed damp environment i live in the Seattle area and as you know we get a lot of rain here.Thanks

[@SirBaker2012]

Your dog was hilarious!! Lol

[@altecman21]

Great Vid.. Very informative well done!! ........Jimmy..............

[@carolparrish194]

?id you cover your seeds with soil or just sprinkle them on top?

[@independentthinker9113]

This is brilliant!! Thank you!!

[@KowboyUSA]

Cool stuff.

[@carolparrish194]

Can this technique be used outside if you don't have a greenhouse?

[@1DIZZASTER]

How long does the conditioning process take ?

[@loriep.9493]

I would love to do this outside here in Ohio (I don't have a greenhouse or enclosure ) Is there any type of seed that you have planted that doesn't do well in a bale ? I would like to try this in the Spring. How often do you water ? Thank you for all your wonderful videos...I always learn something new . ( P.S. Hannah and Cookie are precious ! )

[@SurvivalHT]

Loretta Pereira Everything grows in it because you are essentially "making" dirt. Plants that like more acidic soil might need the appropriate plant food but other then that anything should work.

[@poodledaddles1091]

great video

[@starting042011]

I'm getting fungus gnats I watered the soil & bail next day I got gnat swarms & I don't want to plant anything. why.

[@609lawson]

What will you plant in the bales for fall?

[@jksatte]

Wow, I can't believe $1 per bale. I thought those cost much more than that. I can't imagine why they would even bother selling them for that little. Anyway, great example of a fairly easy way to garden. It looks really good. Can you use the bales more than one season? Janice

[@SurvivalHT]

jksatte They're good for about 2 years before they're too broken down to use. At which point you can compose them. Or you can put cinder blocks around them where they are to hold them together and keep using them longer. You would basically be building a cheap raised bed and compose pile all in one

[@KeepMeLord05]

Where did you place your green house? Sunny area?

[@ronniepryor6610]

Did I see orange trees? Are you in Florida? I'm in South Florida.... This gives me hope! Totally trying this

[@dizzieallday]

is that soak hose on rain water catchment........

[@MultiMarie66]

great videos. Thank you.

[@brandonlasvegas]

Would pine straw or grass clippings work as well?

[@Quindellaify]

Hi! where did u get ur bales I'm having a hard time. Thank you

[@infadel2792]

Damn, that is one crazy Beagle.

[@davidkilbourne6778]

I was wondering how long do you run the soaker hose and how many times a day? diamond

[@SurvivalHT]

Only once ever few days for about 15-20 minutes

[@davidkilbourne6778]

Thank you very much ,I'm going to try my tomatoes I usually have plenty in garden but i'm trying this and also a green house.I live in VA and sometimes winter are rough,again many thanks,David

[@General_Shenanigans]

your cat is cute.

[@neilturner4886]

Hi what fertiliser brand do you use please?

[@SurvivalHT]

+Neil Turner I don't remember what I used but for this I don't think it much matters

[@JasonSKeener]

Thank you for the info.

[@tectalabyss]

Do you use Heirloom seeds ?. I don't like anything made with Monsanto GMO's . Your doing a great job. very informative and down to earth. I wish you all the best. B

[@SurvivalHT]

***** mostly heirloom, some hybrids, no GMO's and nothing from Monster-anto ;)

[@tectalabyss]

Survival HT Thank you very much for your reply. You made my Day :) Thank you for the Great tips and and information. All the best. B

[@workwillfreeyou]

Does anyone have any experience growing mushrooms like this?

[@driftyviper]

How long can you use these bails ?

[@marybethhaydon6816]

would i be able to use bales that have sat out for a season, would that have made them conditioned?

[@SurvivalHT]

Marybeth Haydon the older the bale the better. I would still go through the conditioning process though. You need to add the nutrients, plus you wouldn't want them heating up on you after you plant.

[@FSBushcraft]

Very cool

[@kencassyh]

Love the little puppy. Is it a Beagle? Or hound?

[@SurvivalHT]

ken halverson Beagle

[@kencassyh]

Survival HT sweet I love beagles. I had one when I was younger. Now I have a cat, his name is Fuze.

[@jameswinfree3175]

Can you use hay bales or do you have use straw bales

[@kenlaliberte7905]

What are you doing about pollination

[@DixieRiverRat]

Can you use pine straw bales?

[@mutevosburg9800]

Hope slls going good GOD bless

[@AnDamKalet]

what's with the peacocks at the beginning of the video?

[@jonb4763]

+AnDamKalet Those are turkeys not peacocks.

[@aru05001]

Give the people what they want! MORE COOKIE!

[@gadgetmantwincities]

Such pretty hair.