Straw Bale Gardning in the UK

[Hector]

I can see from previous posts that some of you have tried this.

Can I ask if you found it worthwhile, what your best/worst crops were and what you would do differently if you did it again.

We have an area where height would be an advantage due to would conditions and would also be an advantage for access for family member.

[Hector]

[Silverleaf]

Tomatoes did okay but not brilliant, some of that might be me not keeping on top of the watering though. Courgettes fine, winter squash not so good. But then the ones I grew in soil didn't do much either. Potatoes pretty good.

For me, the produce I got from it was definitely better than the nothing I would have got otherwise! Digging and making beds in my soil was next to impossible for me last year.

I spent about a month weeing into a jug to use as an activator. I also used blood, fish and bone, seaweed extract, and horse manure to feed the bales over the summer.

[Hector]

Thanks Silverleaf, I was wondering about potatoes and onions. How many spuds did you plant per bale? Is it normal spacing and normal depth digging.

Nearly had a revolt in house trying to get teens to use a jug for " liquid gold" but us two are ensuring there is a supply.

Do you add your manure on top of the bale at the start or during season?

In other beds we have layered straw and manure ( with shed loads of worm activity in it and topped off with topsoil. )

We were wondering about trying more traditional straw bale approach with intact bales versus the layering....especially as we don't have enough topsoil

I see Teegee on his site mentions Sulphate of Ammonia for conditioning. I'm just worried that might bump off worms....I'm sure green keepers use to avoid worm casts. Hope Teegee sees this :)



I know what you mean regards digging. This part of area is clay anyhow but since ( allegedly) drainage changed further up the hill, it really is sodden, even with soil improvement. Bungling in loads of manure each year button to be able to plant in meantime.

[artichoke]

I was disappointed the year I tried 12 straw bales. I followed all the advice, but it was impossible to keep them wet enough, and it was hard work digging holes into which to plant various squash and other things I now forget, plus their compost. The bales did not really warm up and decompose and feed the plants as promised.

On the other hand, they were good shelter for plants growing nearby in the ground, and when they finally collapsed and were raked across the bed they had been standing on, they made excellent compost.