How to make straw bale flower beds if there is no soil: an interesting alternative

Experienced gardeners know that it is possible to improve a personal plot and create an attractive author's landscape design even with minimal conditions. For example, if you want to arrange a garden bed or flower bed but don't have the resources to create one, you can achieve the same effect by growing plants in straw bales.

It's also a great option if you have poor soil on your property. Experts say that straw bales can be used to grow flowers and vegetables in an economical way.

Stage 1: Preps

Do not use hay that contains seeds to reduce the risk of weeds germinating. Also note that the straw or hay should not be treated with pesticides, which can inhibit the plants or prevent them from growing at all.

Conditioning the bale will take about two weeks, a process that turns it into a moist, fertile bed.

Choose a location that provides adequate lighting. You can place the bale on any flat surface - concrete, gravel, wooden pallets, or even grass. But keep in mind that once the bale is wet, it will become significantly heavier and difficult to move.

Place the bale with the cut (spiked) end facing up and then begin the conditioning process.

Slowly and evenly pour in water until it starts to flow out of the bottom of the bale.

On the 4th to 10th day after starting regular watering, sprinkle the top of the bale with a third part of cup of herbicide-free lawn fertilizer that contains at least 20% nitrogen. Water the bale to dissolve and distribute the fertilizer.

As the nitrogen works to decompose and turn the straw into a nutrient-rich environment for plants, the center of the bale will heat up, similar to a compost mound, and then begin to cool.

It will be safe to plant seeds or seedlings when the temperature drops below 37 °C.

Step 2: Planting and growing

Cut holes in the top of the bale and plant the seedlings, filling each small hole around them with compost or potting mix. Make the holes or slots following the planting depth recommendations for the specific type of seed.

Continue to water daily to ensure that the center of the bale and the area around each plant is constantly moist.

Apply fertilizer during the growing season. Although many flowers and vegetables grow well in straw bales, you should avoid those with shallow roots and heavy tops.

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