How to grow veggies in pea straw bales and activate your soil

[@anserbauer309]

I have to say, I've used straw-bale planting a few times as a way of building improved garden soil with varying success. By far the most successful method I've used was first digging a trench about a third as deep as the bales, then putting the bales in it in a continuous row and treating them as one long garden bed. This method was really successful in maintaining the moisture in the bales compared to just sitting them on top of the ground surface individually. I found the bales really susceptible to wind-drying compared to other methods, so part-burying them was a huge help. Also, tight, wet bales can generate too much heat as they first begin to compost and can burn plants' roots, so leaving them a couple of weeks to cool can also be helpful. The field peas that grow out the sides of the bales have very pretty flowers, in different blues and reds and the peas themselves are delicious fresh off the plant!

[@margarethempenstall9741]

What a brilliant idea. I'm also thinking that this would be great for those living with very little backyard and those who rent. ❤❤

[@LeslieLuke-q7x]

I have been doing this sort of no dig garden since 1995. I put down a thick layer of newspaper, then I lay the straw bale sheaves flat on top edge to edge. I then plant into a handful of soil each seed within the hay and water in. I live now on top of clay and I have laid carpet over the clay laid pea straw sheaves over the carpet in a raised bed. I covered the sheaves with compost then planting mix and place mulch over the lot. I have yet to look at the results on the clay below but the plants do very well.

[@damoshombres]

I got some coffee chaff, going to soak it and try it as a mulch layer around the joint 👍🏽

[@HardCandy-d9q]

My uncle grows tomatoes in straw bales he’s been doing it for years …

[@robwilson9061]

Hi there I'm just wondering if you can help me i have got potatoes they are doing well but I have a problem with a ladybugs 🐞 they are orange with black spots can you tell me how I can get rid off them they eaten all the leaves many thanks Rob

[@joereedsmith1531]

Works but have to use twice as much water and keep the bale moist at all times or the fertilizer wont breakdown the straw.

[@anserbauer309]

Yep.... every time! I part-bury mine, which helps retain water and seems to make a firm, natural edge to the resulting garden bed once the straw has broken down.

[@AddyGoose]

Autumn leaves piled 300mm deep for two season will fix the top soil in most cases.

[@joereedsmith1531]

The Eco Booch stinks to buggery, Its good stuff.

[@brucejensen3081]

Think If I had sandy soil I would just grow asparagus everywhere, just keep separating it and spread it. Then grow other plants in the asparagus patch