Straw Bale Gardening, will I do it again?

[@phirst55]

Do the straw bales have to be organic because of the pyrolids the farmers use on the wheat crops?

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

I'm glad you brought this subject up as any farmer using aminopyralids on wheat crops etc is breaking the law. From the RHS website, *" Bedding materials, such as straw, are less likely to be affected as aminopyralid does not currently have approval for use on cereal crops from which they are made."* Other websites say it is used but I do trust the RHS on this one. Plus, the label on most states something like this, "Do not use on crops grown for seed." Just to be sure, I did ask the farmer anyway, and he assured me that he does not us either aminopyralid or clopyralid herbicides. I lost some of my tomatoes due to contaminated B&Q compost. I contacted "Manure Matures", had a great chat with a guy called Andy, which lead to me sending a sample off to a lab for testing. Yes, the B&Q green waste compost had clopyralid in it, most likely from grass clippings from something like municipal playing fields or sports grounds.

[@phirst55]

@DigwellGreenfingers it's not band here in the Republic of Ireland, a couple of years ago I used straw to ridge the potatoes (as suggested by "by the farm" ) all the tops of the potatoes died and I got nothing, thus the reason I'm not sure about using straw bales for anything in the garden, I did buy one of the round bales of straw but won't again! After that disaster, I used the straw for bedding for the goat, and I don't use that anywhere on the garden, I leave it at the drive into one of the fields, I've tried wild flower seeds with spent compost on top of the straw when it rotted down and they didn't grow either

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@phirst55 That is very strange as it is not meant for edible crops. If it was contaminated then it is not meant to be fed to livestock either. I just looked at the Corteva IE website and it says the same. I wonder if you had glyphosate poisoning - but again, it should not be residual in the straw.

[@robsallotmentchannel9942]

@@DigwellGreenfingers I remember a few years ago now, Dan from allotment diaries had major problems with green compost and that was from B&Q but he never said where it was from

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@robsallotmentchannel9942 Remind me when I see you at Malvern, Rob, the story is a lot longer than I can explain here LOL

[@BrainStormAcres]

Hey Steve - straw bale gardening makes perfect sense where water isn’t a limitation! Your bales broke down beautifully. We have two raised beds that we do a different approach: straw is held in place by metal walls. Every year we add more old straw which breaks down into rich, fertile, black compost. Good luck with the new location for straw bales on your plot! Take care.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

That sounds great H&I. Yes, I can't imagine you guys sloshing water everywhere onto the bales LOL

[@bethanskitchengarden]

Great recap on your straw bales Steve, they did really well. Good luck with next years 😊

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Cheers Bethan. Just itching to get on the plots but not in this weather lOL

[@bethanskitchengarden]

@ I know, I’m the same, if it’s not the weather keeping me indoors then it’s work!! Nevermind, we shall have to live like coiled springs 😂

[@MotosAllotmentGarden]

Interesting, something to think about for next year 👍

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Cool, glad to help if you need any advice 🙂

[@MotosAllotmentGarden]

@@DigwellGreenfingers Thank you, i was going ask about aminopyralid and other herbicides contamination but you answer that question 😊, Happy New Year

[@MotosAllotmentGarden]

I think i can get hold of hay bales not straw, i have just emailed them about herbicides contamination, they are £4.50 each i will need about ten for the area i am planing, do you thing hay will work just as well?

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@MotosAllotmentGarden Yes, hay will work BUT you will be growing lots of weeds and grass. As you most likely know, straw is just the stalks left after the wheat/barley etc is harvested, whereas hay is made from a meadow that has been mown so it will conatin whatever was in seed at that time. I mistakenly used hay as a mulch on my potatoes one year - best crop of grass ever! LOL

[@MotosAllotmentGarden]

@@DigwellGreenfingers I got some hay from the local stables, a big bag full. mulched my garlic and the same result as your potato mulching, lots of grass. if i do make hay bale bed i will film it and post the results😊

[@barryroberts6470]

All the best Steve to you and your family for 2025, hope it's a good one for you TC. Barry (the Wirral)

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Hope you have a brilliant year too Barry!

[@jmawdsley2]

Quality content as always. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Much appreciated, thanks. Have a great 2025!

[@ianmccaughan7121]

Brilliant video ,and lots of information 👏

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Glad you enjoyed it - Happy New Year!

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Steve, happy new year to you all. A great video about straw bale growing. Thank you for sharing and take care 😊

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Happy new year to you too Christine! Hope it is a productive one for you

[@sandram1503]

Great roundup of the straw bales. Thanks Steve hope you had a good Christmas and New Year and all the best for 2025.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Cheers! Itching to get on the plot but I'll have to leave it after last night's rain - biblical here, roads flooded everywhere!

[@sandram1503]

Hope you can get back soon, we have been under snow which was beginning to thaw until new snowfall tonight.🥶

[@leewozzashomeveggiegarden]

Nice one Steve

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Cheers Lee, hope you have a great year buddy 🎉

[@mkoutdoors1987]

I might have to try that😊 👍

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Certainly worth it with a bale costing less than a bag of compost!

[@terrykingsallotmentgardening]

Thank you for listening to your viewers Steve and I think you did a great job. Something to consider when my beds start falling apart. 🌱Happy gardening, Terry King.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Very welcome, Terry. Have a productive 2025 mate!

[@terrykingsallotmentgardening]

@DigwellGreenfingers I did mean comment that when the straw is baled it goes in as a mix and the sides do get cut slightly so giving the impression that it is put in a particular way, but really it a bit of luck which side you use.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@terrykingsallotmentgardening Got you- cheers

[@terrykingsallotmentgardening]

@DigwellGreenfingers Happy New year to you and your family.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@terrykingsallotmentgardening And of course, the same to you and Mrs K 🎉 Hope we get to catch up this year!

[@ragheadand420roll]

Happy new year diggy ✌️🙏🇺🇸

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Happy new year to you too! 🎉

[@MuddyBootz]

Hi Steve, a good return considering all of the varieties planted. Would be an Ideal first year method for anyone wanting to fill tall raised beds, then use as an established base layer to top up in year 2. Would be interested to see how parsnips perform by boring some deep holes with a soil auger and filling with compost....maybe one to try for next season???? .....Happ New Year mate 👍

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Great ideas Nigel (already planned to do parsnips and carrots 🙂) I need to look at my new metal beds as I think they have cross braces, but I'm sure I could work something out. Certainly cheaper than filling them with compost! Have a productive and healthy 2025 buddy!

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Happy New Year, Steve Dear ♥️ Looks like you had some good success with the bales of straw. I collected 3 small decorative bales of straw after Halloween. I spread it as a mulch in my backyard. Big mistake! It sprouted everywhere! I've been pulling up the sprouts and chopping them into my Geobins. Nice to see you are still doing so well. Take care and Happy 2025🎉 ❤Peggy❤

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Oh no, sounds like you were given hay instead of straw! I just hay as a mulch once - best cropof grass ever LOL Hope the fireworks don't keep you awake tonight - Happy New Year!

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

@DigwellGreenfingers thanks Steve. EPCOT has fireworks every night, along with Magic Kingdom fireworks. They are always incredible. New Year's Eve They really go all out🎉

[@ThevegGrowerpodcast]

Fantastic buddy. I am trying straw bail again this year after my previous attempt didn't really work. Needless to say Ill be watching your videos very carefully to get the most out of it.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Hope it works this time buddy! Happy New Year

[@TheRightPearPlot]

Great informative video!!

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Glad it was helpful guys 🙂

[@TheRightPearPlot]

@ ☺️

[@keithhilton8869]

Interesting experiment Steve and I must say well documented. Congrads on your success. I have found that since I have been using sugar cane as a mulch it has improved the soil greatly. I'm betting the crops you grow where you had the straw last season will do well next season too. Cheers and Happy new year. 😀👍

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Cheers Keith! The couple I mentiond grow their veggies in bales made from pea stalks (unheard of here), and you with the sugar cane makes me realise that there really is no "right" way to do anything in the garden. We just do what works for us! Hoping you have a a fantastic 2025 buddy - well, you have a head start on us being a day ahead LOL

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

That was interesting! The whole straw bale thing is fascinating to me. The best thing IMO is all the lovely compost you end up with! I think it keeps us young when we try out new things in the garden or kitchen etc, while I don’t expect to try straw bales I did lots of work last season in the garden implementing the use of T-posts. I am using them for Florida weave and to support Hortinova trellising. I started growing potatoes in 35L pots too. It’s nice to lie in bed at night and think about stuff like that! I really like the 46-0-0, it’s the cheapest nitrogen on the planet! I like to use a balanced pre plant fertilizer for my crops and then fertigate with a very dilute mixture of urea, as most veggies will have enough P and K but need some supplemental N as they grow. Happy new year 🎉! Klaus

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Brilliant Klaus. Yep, it's great to have a go at new things. I may be ressurecting my gallows method for growing runner and pole beans this year. Watch this space. Have a productive 2025 buddy!

[@marksallotmentplot]

Great video Steve. Really good to see these alternative ways of growing things . Wishing you all the very best for 2025 🎉🎉🎉

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Cheers Mark. All the best for 2025 for you too buddy!

[@Feelgoodgardens]

What a great how to grow in Straw Bales Steve, really inspiring ❤ I bet lots of people will be growing in straw bales in the UK this year as yours was a huge success. I really hope this Vlog does well for you as it really does deserve it. Happy new year and great growing success in 2025 🎉🥳❤️ x

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Hope so too, Linda, cheers 🍻 You never know, I might become the Charles Dowding of straw bales LOL

[@Garden-of-weeden]

Loved this video Steve! I grew in bakes a few years ago but not to the extent you did. Bloomin awesome results ❤ Happy new you to you & your family Steve xx

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Thanks a lot Pammie. Hoping you and yours have a fantastic 2025 and a mega successful growing year!

[@Garden-of-weeden]

@ thank you Steve, big hugs, Pammie xx

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@Garden-of-weeden oops, corrected! xx

[@Garden-of-weeden]

@@DigwellGreenfingers it’s ok, it made me giggle xx

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@Garden-of-weeden You're lucky, it could have been Fred!

[@nickthegardener.1120]

Nice one Steve look forward to next year's bale grow 👌👍😁

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

You and me both, buddy. Wishing you and Meadow a productive 2025!

[@nickthegardener.1120]

@DigwellGreenfingers Thanks Steve you too.👌👍💪😁

[@gretasgarden]

Happy New Year, Steve. Great tutorial and they sure worked beautifully for you. There aren't really any farms where I am to get my hands on hay. 😢

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Happy new year Greta. That's a pity, and far to expensive to ship it in for you. Just sit there whale watching instead LOL

[@__Shellspace__]

loved those straw bales and they looked great quality too , was really intresting that thankyou x

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Glad you enjoyed - Happy New Year!

[@Nicktgrief]

you could try Latah Tomatoes on there Stevo, come early so help avoid blight ( I know you use Blight guard but still ...) got some seed tatties today from Sainsbury's ... OK they're just a bag of spuds but I've been wanting to try and grow Anya for about 4 years now and they're never available. Happy new year mate all the best for 2025

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Strangely, this year Anya are at every stockists but it is Pink Fir Apple that are out of stock! Darn it, another tomato for 2025 LOL Happy New Year Nick!

[@Tamsins_Potager]

Definitely a growing method I'd like to try..particularly for the spuds! 😊

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes please.

[@simplifygardening]

A good way to grow on ground that has poor soil Steve. and you got there in the end. Even after the collapse, they would make excellent compost ingredients, but not for me with having to use non organic methods

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

I'm sure it would work using purely organic fertilisers but they would need to be started off in January I reckon. That may not be a problem if they were placed in a tunnel etc

[@DebbieWildbore]

I grow organically in organic bales; they take around 6 weeks to condition; I use blood and bone and human urine 😁

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@DebbieWildbore Cool, so around 3x as long then.

[@DebbieWildbore]

Roughly, depends on the weather; shorter time when it's warmer ☺️ @DigwellGreenfingers

[@RobinGardens]

Great alternate way of doing things. I imagine it would be excellent with those who finding bending hard...if they can get help with set up. Also those that have crappy soil conditions. I wonder if you can try a couple bails using just organic additives and see just how much longer it takes. Personally, I use organic if we're going to eat it. So, I'd love to see if it might be worth the extra time. Excellent recap of the whole process.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Good idea Robin, I'll do a few using natural fertilisers only!

[@richardhart7652]

Well done I think I'm going to try this only problem is around here in South Wales all straw is shipped down from England and is either in big round, or the super large Heston bails so I'll have to see what I can find

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Yes, that would be a problem! I went to a few agaricultural shows in 2024 and the straw sellers saiid they tend to make the big bales now as it is more cost efective. Good luck, hope you find some!

[@Papapatch]

Thats a superb idea mate 👌....happy new year to you and the family

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Happy new year to you and yours too 🎉

[@StellasVegetablegardens]

Hey Steve I really enjoyed this update as the view of such a lush community of plants was beyond fantastic to see ❤. It makes me want to try something similar but on a smaller scale. When do you plan to start conditioning your bales for next year? I’m lucky enough to have a farmer within walking distance of my allotment 😅

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

I'll be starting around the 3rd or 4th week of February, I reckon. But it will all depend of on the weather. I have found another supplier for mine. They are dearer at £5 per bale vs £4, but he delivers and that will save me a lot of traveling!

[@StellasVegetablegardens]

@ sadly I’m away all of February but I will aim to try and get going on my return in march

[@themondaycorner]

Love it! excited for season '25. My seed potatoes arrive today! My Dad used to love Pound Farm; spent many Saturdays there.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Whenever I go there, I pop into the cafe first to pre-order a sausage or bacon butty ready for when I leave!

[@ibrstellar1080]

I lived in New Zealand for 2 year's and the weather is better down there with no lines in the sky!, the volcanic soil is very rich and Generally more healthy but the sand flies are horrendous.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

One of the regrets of my navy life is never getting down to OZ or NZ. 😞

[@ibrstellar1080]

@@DigwellGreenfingers Never too late to live your dreams Steve 😁.

[@rhondafarmer4824]

Thanks for the video and I'll do that myself next year. Happy new year.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

So glad to help! Let us know how it goes, please.

[@nedomahony7711]

Steve you have Lovley Compost afterwards

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

It really is good stuff!

[@myrustygarden]

Absolutely awesome job Steve and well explained. Have a very happy new year 🎉 here’s to a fab 2025 for all 🎉🎉, Ali ☔️🥶🇨🇦

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Happy new year to you too Ali, may it be a productive one! PS Seeds on their way at last 🌻

[@myrustygarden]

@ awesome I’ll keep ya posted

[@christinalhitz]

I wonder if you can grow mushrooms with the plants in the straw bales.

[@ibrstellar1080]

I would put them two bales high and wide to save my back but it might be worth asking the farmer for some bailer twine to tie the bales To stop them falling apart.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Yes, the twine would help. Might try that :)

[@DebbieWildbore]

I put rebar through the ends of each bale (into the ground) and attach string in between as the trellis for tomatoes 😊

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@DebbieWildbore I'll be doing similar in 2025. Last year was more of a "see how it goes" year for me.

[@robertmeakings9774]

Hi Steve good results mate looking forward to seeing how you do next year I hope you don’t bale out 😂😂😂👍🥔🌱

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

LOL I already have a supply of bales lined up 🙂

[@ibrstellar1080]

Maybe round bales next year Steve 😁.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

They'd be easy to roll into position LOL

[@ibrstellar1080]

@@DigwellGreenfingers The video will make great viewing figures😂.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@ibrstellar1080 🤣

[@donnastevens8832]

What would be the chance of using the finished straw bale as a base for starting those deep metal beds. That way you could get a full season of growing in the bales, and then either build the bed around the bales, or decant the mulch into the bed over winter ready to start growing in the spring. Seems like a win-win to me. Now if I can only find some bales. Oh, and is it only straw or can it be done with hay too?

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

First off Donna, straw only IMHO. Hay has too many seeds in it. I used hay as a mulch one year and had the best crop of grass ever LOL Yep, I have plans for the old bales. First off i want to put a layer on the no dig beds, then any left over will go in the metal beds - great minds think alike LOL Happy Hogmany, hope the weather is okay for you up there 🎉

[@donnastevens8832]

@DigwellGreenfingers - high winds and loads of rain for the last few days but looks like freezing overnights for the next week. My poly tunnel is toast and my hotbin keeps trying to escape but so far, fingers crossed, nothing that can’t be corrected when the weather improves. Meantime I’ll just keep changing those plans to fit the new situations as they arise lol.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@donnastevens8832 Gonna be bad for you up there tonight, according to the forecast. Stay warm and safe!

[@CoastalGardensNW]

Nice one Steve looks like that's a Verry cheap way to do the potatos

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

I'll be doing a few more in 2025, that's for sure Duncan!

[@CoastalGardensNW]

@DigwellGreenfingers might have to give it a go Steve

[@RichardMcCrory_Neph]

Have you particular sources you would recommend for our own perusal??

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Sorry, do you mean for the bales?

[@claireshaw2980]

Is it possible to core holes in the bales and use manure instead of artificially made fertiliser ?

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Not sure to be truthful as the mega watering washes the goodness into the bales - but it can't hurt to try! After a few previous comments I will be trying a few bales with organic fertiliser in 2025. I mean, the "experts" were wrong about the bale orientation, who's to say they are not wrong about the conditioning too?

[@DebbieWildbore]

No need for holes; they are placed on their sides so all liquids pass straight through. I garden organically and season mine with blood and bone and human urine (the latter is optional 😉)

[@simonhughes9418]

Would you class this as a form of hydroponics? I mean there is no life in a bale so I presume the plants are just fed from the water put into the bale and whatever nutrients are in it? Well unless they go all the way down to the soil.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Oo, tough one! I'll go out on a limb here and say no. In hydroponics you add fertilisers to the water, but with the bales it is them decomposing that releases the nutrients (the process that is triggered in the first few weeks of adding excess nitrogen)

[@jpennturner]

I grew in straw bales very successfully for two years then the next year everything deformed and died, so I stopped as I suspected aminoaprillid contamination.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Nightmare! Have a look at the pinned comment at the top.

[@gosiak7291]

I’ve got some beds unused since I’ve got my allotment. It’s overgrown with thick long grass and weeds. I have no idea how to clear it and make it nice for planting. If I rip out the grass with my hands it’s just coming back.. how can I kill the growth before the season? 🥲 it’s so overgrown you cannot see the soil underneath it’s just like jungle/lawn

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

If you lay a weed membrane down (like this amzn.to/4gYPsvP) it will smother the grass and weeds and kill them due to the lack of sunlight. It's what I have on my new plot. You could use cardboard but strong weeds will poke through as te carboard get wet and soft. Good luck!