Straw bale gardening can be a good option if you want to grow your vegetables, herbs, and flowers. This growing medium, unlike conventional gardening methods is free and easy. But before you can plant your vegetables and herbs, you must first condition the bales. For this to happen, you need to soak the bales in warm water every day for at least three nights. They will then heat up and begin to decompose.
After the bales cool down, you should cut the surface of the plant to allow water and nutrients into the bales. Moisture is a good thing because it encourages the growth, and reproduction of bacteria. This is vital for the plant's decomposition. Soaking the bales will also help to provide ample nutrients for the plants. To prevent weeds or other problems, it is important to plow the soil around the bales regularly.
After you have prepared the ground, you can plant. Place the seedlings in their open spaces provided by the bales. A sharp trowel can be used to move the soil around so that the seedlings are able to fit. You should not plant your seedlings any deeper than their nursery container. Taller plants should be placed towards the back of the bale, so they don't shade the shorter ones. Make sure they are secured with long stakes, so they won't tip over.
After the bales had been soaked in water, you can apply balanced fertilizer. You can apply either synthetic or organic fertilizer. You can apply this fertilizer for 2 weeks and then water the plants well. The bales must feel warm and crumbly. If they feel warm and crumbly, they may need more time to compost. This will depend upon the outside temperature. It's important to water the bales every day. In addition, you should add a cup of fertilizer to them every day to encourage the soil to fully absorb it.
Straw bale gardening may be an option if your soil is too rich. You can use the straw bales as mulch, potting soil, or even a compost pile. The straw bales will become rich in organic matter once they have decomposed. After a while, you can take the straws and put them in a compost pile. You will be happy you did.
After conditioning the bales, fertilize them. You should add half a cup ammonium sulfurate (21-0-0), or a cup urea (46-40-0) to the bales for the first four days. The numbers after the fertilizer names refer to the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash content. The higher the number the better. The greater the nitrogen content the faster bales will decompose.
FAQ
How much space do vegetable gardens need?
A good rule is that 1 square foot of soil needs 1/2 pound. So if you have an area of 10 feet by 10 feet (3 meters by 3 meters), you'll need 100 pounds of seeds.
Do I need special equipment to grow vegetables in my garden?
You're not wrong. A shovel, trowel and watering container are all you need.
When is the best month to plant a vegetable garden in my area?
It is best to plant vegetables between April and June. This is when soil is at its warmest and plants are growing the fastest. If you live outside of a warm climate, you might be better off waiting until July or August.
Statistics
- According to the National Gardening Association, the average family with a garden spends $70 on their crops—but they grow an estimated $600 worth of veggies! - blog.nationwide.com
- 80% of residents spent a lifetime as large-scale farmers (or working on farms) using many chemicals believed to be cancerous today. (acountrygirlslife.com)
- According to a survey from the National Gardening Association, upward of 18 million novice gardeners have picked up a shovel since 2020. (wsj.com)
- Most tomatoes and peppers will take 6-8 weeks to reach transplant size so plan according to your climate! - ufseeds.com
External Links
How To
Use organic fertilizers in your garden
Organic fertilizers include manure (compost), fish emulsions, seaweed extracts, blood meal, and compost. The term "organic" means that they are produced using non-synthetic material. Synthetic fertilizers are chemical compounds used in industrial processes. These fertilizers are commonly used in agriculture, as they can provide nutrients to plants quickly without the need for complicated preparation. Synthetic fertilizers can pose risks to the environment and human health. These fertilizers also require high amounts of energy, water and time to make. Runoff from synthetic fertilizers can also pollute groundwater and surface water. This pollution is detrimental to humans and wildlife alike.
There are many types of organic fertilizers.
* Manure - is made when livestock eat nitrogen (a plant food nutrient). It's made of bacteria and enzymes which break down the waste to simple compounds that can be taken by plants.
* Compost is a mixture from vegetable scraps, grass clippings and decaying leaves. It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum, chlorine, and carbon. It is highly porous so it can retain moisture well and release nutrients slowly.
* Fish Emulsion: A liquid product derived primarily from fish oil. It has the ability to dissolve oils, fats and is very similar to soap. It contains trace elements and phosphorous as well as nitrogen and nitrogen.
* Seaweed Extract - a concentrated solution of minerals extracted from kelp, red algae, brown algae, and green algae. It is rich in vitamins A, C and iodine as well as iron.
* Guano is the excrement of seabirds and bats. It contains nitrogen and phosphorous, potassium as well sulfate, salt, chloride, carbon, sodium, magnesium and other minerals.
* Blood Meal: The remains of animal carcasses. It is rich in protein which is useful for feeding birds and other animals. It also contains trace minerals like phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.
Mix equal amounts of compost, manure, and/or fish oil to make organic fertilizer. Mix well. If you don’t possess all three ingredients you can substitute one for the other. You can mix one part of the fish emulsion with two portions of compost if you don't have enough.
Apply the fertilizer to the soil by using a shovel and tiller. One quarter cup of the fertilizer should be spread per square foot. You'll need to add fertilizer every two weeks until new growth appears.