When gardening soil or area are in short supply, bypass soil by planting in straw bales. Straw is previously living stems of cereal crops, which can be purchased into compressed bales. Plants can be grown in directly into the bale or several can be grouped into a square frame with potting soil in the center.
The beauty of planting in straw bales is, since it is dead organic matter, it will decompose. As it decomposes valuable nutrients are released, becoming available for plant uptake.
Planting seed into straw bales.
• Start small seeds like Brassicas, lettuces, and carrots in seed flats filled with potting soil. Transfer seedlings to bales when the set of first leaves emerge.
• Large seeds like squash can be started directly in the bale but are also better when started in seed flats filled with potting soil. Transfer to bales when first leaves emerge.
Prepare bale for planting.
The straw stubble has nutrients that are released upon decomposition but it is not soil. Soil is a reservoir for essential minerals that must be provided to the seedling. Straw has none of these essential minerals. Therefore, minerals must be added in the form of fertilizers, which may be chemical based or organic.
• Place bales directly on top of hard soil.
• Keep binding tight, otherwise the bale will fall apart.
• Soak bales with water.
• Add a liberal amount of a complete fertilizer to the moist bale. Complete fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK). Water again.
• Repeat this in a few days. Bales are considered ready for planting when internal temperatures rise, and bales are evenly moist.
As plants are growing keep a close eye on the plants for nutrient deficiencies. Compete fertilizer with NPK has been added to the bale but remember there are no micronutrients, which plants must have for optimal growth. Micronutrients may have to be added at some point in the growing cycle.
As is evident from the preparation required, planting in straw bales is more involved than planting directly into soil, but when there is little soil to support growth, planting in bales may be an alternative. Bales can be used as a soil alternative in raised beds. The greatest benefit of planting in straw bales may be the organic matter added back to the soil.
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
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