How To Plant A STRAW BALE GARDEN In 4 Easy Steps

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  • čas přidán 12. 08. 2024
  • In this video, I share how to plant a straw bale garden in 4 easy steps. Did you know you can grow plants in straw bales? Growing in straw bales is an easy, affordable way to grow food in small spaces and large spaces alike! This video explains the full planting procedure including fertilizing.
    Follow my series on Straw Bale Gardening from start to finish: • Straw Bale Gardening
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    TABLE OF CONTENTS
    0:00 Intro To Straw Bale Gardening
    0:46 Step #1: Verify Straw Is Free Of Herbicides
    3:22 Step #2: Straw Bale Plant Spacing
    4:30 Step #3: Adding A Growing Medium
    7:21 Step #4: Fertilizing Straw Bales
    9:38 How To Plant Vegetables In Straw Bales
    13:01 Straw Bale Garden Planting Results
    15:02 Adventures With Dale
    If you have any questions about growing vegetables in straw bales, have questions about growing fruit trees or want to know about the things I grow in my raised bed vegetable garden and edible landscaping food forest, are looking for more gardening tips and tricks and garden hacks, have questions about vegetable gardening and organic gardening in general, or want to share some DIY and "how to" garden tips and gardening hacks of your own, please ask in the Comments below!
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    #gardening #garden #gardeningtips #gardeningtips
    #strawbale

Komentáře • 209

  • @TheMillennialGardener
    @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +11

    If you enjoyed this video, please "Like" and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😊TIMESTAMPS for convenience:
    0:00 Intro To Straw Bale Gardening
    0:46 Step #1: Verify Straw Is Free Of Herbicides
    3:22 Step #2: Straw Bale Plant Spacing
    4:30 Step #3: Adding A Growing Medium
    7:21 Step #4: Fertilizing Straw Bales
    9:38 How To Plant Vegetables In Straw Bales
    13:01 Straw Bale Garden Planting Results
    15:02 Adventures With Dale

    • @crwlh6721
      @crwlh6721 Před rokem +1

      In the vid you mentioned linking to other videos, but I don't see those links. Can you tell us where to find them?

    • @minternet1
      @minternet1 Před rokem +1

      Did you know that the mushrooms mycelium is actually very good and beneficial for the plants? There is some swedish research showing that you actually get healthier plants and bigger yield if you have mushrooms in your garden 😀👍

    • @tammyvaughn6051
      @tammyvaughn6051 Před 4 měsíci

      I like the water container idea, can you video how to make That??

    • @flintstone19713
      @flintstone19713 Před 3 měsíci

      I watched the video about using black hardwood Ash that you break down and use as a compost ingredients can you tell me can you of a good brand please. I've been looking everywhere

  • @suttons1999
    @suttons1999 Před 6 měsíci +14

    I appreciate the way you said "Some people say this, others say that - here's my opinion." I hate when people claim their idea is THE ONLY way - thanks for your video

    • @TingTingalingy
      @TingTingalingy Před 2 měsíci

      A fabricator that was mentoring me had a saying "there's the right way, the wrong way & MY way. Around here we do things my way." He was an awesome instructor

  • @tammyohlsson7966
    @tammyohlsson7966 Před rokem +35

    This is my third year straw bale gardening. It’s the cheapest easiest raised bed ever. Blessings!

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      It is certainly easier to deal with. I am curious to see how they perform.

    • @TheRainHarvester
      @TheRainHarvester Před rokem

      How much does a bale cost?

    • @herbharriss8498
      @herbharriss8498 Před rokem

      @@TheRainHarvester ..around $6.00 in my area

    • @mariap.894
      @mariap.894 Před rokem

      ​@@herbharriss8498 oh, no! Not in Florida, I paid $14 hard earned dollars!!!😢😭

    • @edjo3430
      @edjo3430 Před rokem

      I have gopher problem. Do you think they can get into straw?

  • @valoriegriego5212
    @valoriegriego5212 Před rokem +5

    Nice straw bale garden! 👍Your trees and bushes by the straw bale garden are looking great!👍 Dale, a pickup truck and a cool breeze equal sweet times! 🐕 Sending love to cute Dale!💕

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      Thanks. It's coming along, although slowly, this year. Dale will never enjoy riding in cars, it seems, but this is a big improvement.

  • @tairam9383
    @tairam9383 Před rokem +13

    WOW, never knew I could plant in straw bales. Thanks! Again you do a great job of educating us.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +2

      It's definitely an interesting process. Hopefully, it works well.

    • @tairam9383
      @tairam9383 Před rokem

      @@TheMillennialGardener I like the experiment then. Thank you.

  • @clem24u
    @clem24u Před rokem +4

    I'm glad you mentioned grazon. I learned the hard way. This is the most important thing mentioned. Edit: I love the way Dale listens to you.

  • @lightwavz
    @lightwavz Před rokem +6

    This sounds like a great way to mulch the straw bales down for use in raised garden beds the following year. I just invested in a LOT of raised beds and I am trying to hugelkultur them down over the next season. This economy just won't give us a break but I am not letting it hold me back. Loved this step by step tutorial!

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +5

      It's incredible how fast the straw bales are breaking down. They're collapsing before my very eyes. I just had to re-shift them all and press them up against each other for more support. My row shrunk by 2-3 feet. It's going to make some incredible mulch in the winter for my fruit trees.

    • @FeralGypsy8
      @FeralGypsy8 Před rokem +2

      love hugelkultur!

    • @amyhoang9140
      @amyhoang9140 Před rokem +1

      @@TheMillennialGardener I am thinking if possible to put organic soil and fertilizers mixture in between the straws and surround the bales with walls to get more support, they will last longer as raised bed. Would it be worth it to do this?

  • @mmirafuentess1990
    @mmirafuentess1990 Před rokem +4

    I would love to visit you and your garden (if allowed).
    Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and letting us in.
    Seeing your garden is one of my “happy” pill.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +2

      I'm glad to hear that! I'm a bit behind this year by 2-3 weeks, so I'm still in the process of setting everything up.

    • @mmirafuentess1990
      @mmirafuentess1990 Před rokem +2

      @@TheMillennialGardener I have small porch and planted yams and garlic following your directions.
      I have learned tremendously from you.
      Thank you.

  • @jlynch877
    @jlynch877 Před rokem +2

    Excellent video! They always are so informative. Thank you.

  • @MichaelJosephJr934
    @MichaelJosephJr934 Před rokem +2

    Love this. I have a separate garden this would be perfect for. Thanks!

  • @RobbieBobbie98
    @RobbieBobbie98 Před 11 měsíci +3

    Thank you so much for giving all the different types of opinions and techniques then stating what you do

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před 11 měsíci +1

      You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

    • @RobbieBobbie98
      @RobbieBobbie98 Před 11 měsíci

      @@TheMillennialGardener The best teachers of good things give multiple perspectives and then explain what they believe and why. I found your video incredibly informative. I’m wanting to do this on a large scale on a half acre on rocky terrain of limestone. Really need good advice with the different perspectives because my challenges are multifaceted. I agree with your points of view and can’t wait to get started

  • @growagarden54
    @growagarden54 Před rokem +4

    My very first vegetable garden was a straw bale garden. No need for extra fertilizer. The best and amazing benefit to straw bale gardening is that the bale is the "container" and the "fertilizer". I did this for 5 yrs. After I conditioned the bales, I never had to fertilize again after planting with fish. After fertilizing, to plant seeds, you do need to place an inch of potting/compost on top. However, after conditioning, you can dig into the bale and I added anchovies from the fish and tackle store. That's it! once and done for the season. To plant seedlings, dig a hole into the bale, add the fish, the compost, and the seedling. It is the best! No need for any! additional fertilizer!

    • @laurasandoval3880
      @laurasandoval3880 Před rokem

      Did you put a dead fish/bones or fish fertilizer

    • @jamesduff6937
      @jamesduff6937 Před 7 měsíci

      You mean like a whole anchovie fish to the soil???

    • @gardenofpetals54
      @gardenofpetals54 Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@jamesduff6937 Yes. The small bags of frozen anchovies.

  • @belindadomingo
    @belindadomingo Před rokem +5

    You could also put the straw bales inside of card board boxes if you’re worried about the straw going everywhere- the cardboard keeps it container and will also break down as carbon. I’ve done a similar method with potatoes in the past.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      I'm actually wrapping mine with a large white tarp once it starts getting hot to hold in water.

  • @YuehHan
    @YuehHan Před rokem +3

    Tammy, did you use drip irrigation with the straw bale construction? I would think it would be much easier to do so. As I told this gardener I will be building my bale garden next year. I'm so excited.

  • @paulholloway5458
    @paulholloway5458 Před rokem +1

    You The Man Bro.

  • @michaelreed6183
    @michaelreed6183 Před rokem +3

    Hi. I've been gardening for 4 years and have learned so much every year. I'm new to your channel and really enjoying your presentation of facts and the knowledge you include. Thanks for all your thoughts and effort. I am ramping up to planting in raised beds for my first time this year and hay bales seem like a great(less expensive) alternative to allow me to elevate more of my garden than just the 3 metal raised beds that I have invested in so far. Sounds like Nightshades are good candidates for this format of growing. Are there any bush type plants that you don't recommend to try in hay bales? Also- I'm very new (this year) at fertilizing my garden more generally. I have been using Tomato Maker and had good success with that but have not fertilized beyond what is in the soil for other crops. I'm not timid about them, but just inexperienced. So Urea- It sounds like there may be some left in the runoff of the water from my hay bales (that I will be starting to prepare tomorrow) My yard slopes downward toward my patio and house. I am hoping to put bales at the top part of the slope, but I am concerned- will Urea that flows over the ground make it toxic or unfriendly for the beans that I will be growing in the runoff area? Or should I move the bales to the bottom of the slope so it hits the retaining wall and runs off to the outer edge of my yard?

  • @MichaelRei99
    @MichaelRei99 Před rokem

    Dale really looks relaxed in the back of your truck. Good boy Dale!!

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      Better than usual. He will never be a dog that wants to get in a vehicle, but this is definitely a step up.

  • @Tamara_1776
    @Tamara_1776 Před rokem +1

    This is my 2nd year using bales. Last year I used hay - VERY successful. Conditioned very easily. This year I'm using straw. They aren't conditioning very well. I have mushrooms, so I know they're doing something, but they won't heat over 90 degrees. My hay got go 140 degrees last year, should my straw get that that warm during conditioning too?

  • @melindaroth5796
    @melindaroth5796 Před rokem

    Thank you Anthony. Fascinating teaching. DALE I hope your mommy is home so you're happy 😊 Love yall. ❤

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      Mom has a long break off from work, so Dale has been relentlessly pestering us for attention.

    • @melindaroth5796
      @melindaroth5796 Před rokem

      @@TheMillennialGardener AWE that's great to hear. FATHER GOD BLESS YALL IN JESUS NAME 🙏 🙌 ❤

  • @julienfowler8274
    @julienfowler8274 Před rokem +1

    Your channel is the best

  • @meharris0925
    @meharris0925 Před rokem

    Yes add the potting mix or compost. I had a problem when I planted mine getting enough water to the small plants. The potting soil helped hold the water close to the roots of the plants where I used more potting mix. I had to replace two tomatoes already.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      I am wrapping my bales in a white tarp to hold in the moisture when it gets very hot. Well, it was 87 the last 3 days in a row, so I guess the heat is here 😂

    • @dingo5842
      @dingo5842 Před rokem +1

      @@TheMillennialGardener I wrap mine in cardboard - ink side out, and wrap that with either cattle panel or hardware cloth. It retains moisture well (especially when I'm curing/fermenting the bale).

  • @markf8256
    @markf8256 Před rokem

    Perhaps this is addressed in another video, but what are the benefits of straw bail planning? Can you reuse the bails for more than a season? When no longer viable for plantings do you have suggested reuse of the bails?
    I have a 50’ x 30’ fenced in tilled garden plot on the flattest part of our backyard hill. Most years I grow all my veggies in-ground, usually trying at least one new veggie or planting style.
    The challenge for in-ground planting is weed control amongst the different plants.

  • @myurbangarden7695
    @myurbangarden7695 Před rokem +4

    I have been waiting for this video. I am looking forward to your plentiful harvests using this affordable and attainable growing method.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      Hopefully, it works well. This is new to me, so I’m curious to see the results.

    • @growagarden54
      @growagarden54 Před rokem

      No need for additional fertilizer. Just FYI

    • @edjo3430
      @edjo3430 Před rokem

      ​@Garden of Petals really? Why?

    • @edjo3430
      @edjo3430 Před rokem

      ​@The Millennial Gardener have you planted potatoes or root vegetables this way?

    • @growagarden54
      @growagarden54 Před rokem

      @@edjo3430 Because - After you've conditioned your bales for 14 days, the straw begins to decompose into amazing compost that feeds your seeds/seedlings.It's amazing. I've done this for 5 yrs. once the bales are conditioned, You can (well, it's a long explanation.) But, no need to fertilize. I use anchovy bate prior to planting seedlings or seeds, that's it for the entire season. I'm just a backyard gardener that loves straw bale gardening.

  • @stevekulbacki5238
    @stevekulbacki5238 Před 3 měsíci

    Splitting maul works great for penetrating a tight bale.

  • @jaywatts333
    @jaywatts333 Před rokem

    i am just now thinking about trying this. thx

  • @Redshirt1750
    @Redshirt1750 Před 10 měsíci

    I plan on doing some straw bale gardening next year. All the videos I’ve seen show the bales being conditioned in the spring then plants being planted shortly after the conditioning process is completed.
    My question is: can you set up your bales now (fall), condition them now then plant in them the following spring/summer?

  • @MichaelJosephJr934
    @MichaelJosephJr934 Před 6 měsíci

    Awesome video once again!
    QUESTION: Just so I understand the way to test for Grazon is to test plant. If it's a healthy plant then it's fine?
    Will the seller usually know?
    And when seasoning the bales can I use coffee grounds or will they take too long to break down?
    Thank You!!!!!!!!!!

  • @mssavedin92
    @mssavedin92 Před 8 měsíci

    fantastic!! looks so easy. The whole concept is awesome.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před 8 měsíci +1

      Thank you! It worked out very well for me. I will do it again next year.

    • @mssavedin92
      @mssavedin92 Před 8 měsíci

      Best wishes. Thanks for the awesome information too. Cheers from zone 8b in BC Canada@@TheMillennialGardener

  • @dianthaweilepp5294
    @dianthaweilepp5294 Před rokem +1

    Lots of good info! I'm thinking of strawbales. Do you think a bioactive liquid as part of the readying process would help?

  • @mamush0516
    @mamush0516 Před rokem +1

    Thank you! What trellis system would you reccomend for these tomatoes? Cages?

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      I will be working on that probably next week. I will be using 2x2's and cables.

  • @cottagefarmflowers
    @cottagefarmflowers Před rokem

    lucky you! I had to retire my peas mid-feb. it got hot super early this year. fingers crossed for your straw experiment! we're such a strange bunch.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      Stocking shade cloth can make all the difference. I have 3 large shade tarps, just in case. It can work magic.

  • @flintstone19713
    @flintstone19713 Před 3 měsíci

    I watched the video about using black hardwood Ash that you break down and use as a compost ingredients can you tell me can you of a good brand please. I've been looking everywhere

  • @Gardeningchristine
    @Gardeningchristine Před rokem

    Potted up tomatoes today. We’re supposed to get down to 35 this weekend so I’m going to wait to put the rest out. The ones in ground already will have to get covered for a couple nights this weekend. Oh well, that’s nothing new. I rush everything out every year, then have to cover everything at least twice 😅😂🌱❄️

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      Be sure to cover them. A frost at 35 degrees is highly likely, especially in low spots and cold drains. Milk jug greenhouses and 5 gallon paint buckets work really well.

  • @juliarroberts1621
    @juliarroberts1621 Před rokem +1

    I will try this

  • @jsjaffe60
    @jsjaffe60 Před 3 měsíci

    I conditioned old "mulch" Hay bales using Urea as you described. Bales started wet and stayed wet, never got really hot. They did get that staium mens room stale piss smell and that sunsided, I poked my finger in to check the moisture and temp a week later, still cool and my finger smelled strongly of ammonia. Is an ammonia smell expected? Will plants tolerate it?

  • @kaos3383
    @kaos3383 Před rokem

    Gonna try this

  • @lynettetucker544
    @lynettetucker544 Před rokem

    Thank for sharing this video very informative.

  • @kimberlywelsh9529
    @kimberlywelsh9529 Před rokem

    Have you ever used olla or terra cotta watering spikes in straw bale gardening for slow release watering ?

  • @51rwyatt
    @51rwyatt Před rokem +3

    has Mr. Millennial done mushrooms yet? Seems like a cool thing.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +2

      I have not grown mushrooms yet.

    • @robertl.fallin7062
      @robertl.fallin7062 Před rokem +1

      The bales will sprout mushrooms on their own. DON'T EAT THEM!

    • @51rwyatt
      @51rwyatt Před rokem

      @@TheMillennialGardener Seems like a natural next step. Plus in your warm climate lots of variety choice.

  • @zoeshorthouse7913
    @zoeshorthouse7913 Před rokem

    You mentioned direct seeding at the beginning of the video. I wonder how well root crops would do. Any info about that?

  • @Sky-Child
    @Sky-Child Před rokem

    What a great idea 💡

  • @anthonybarbuto6956
    @anthonybarbuto6956 Před rokem

    Fellow NC-er (in the Piedmont) I noticed that you have coffee trees growing in containers behind the straw bales. How do you overwinter the trees?

  • @amyhoang9140
    @amyhoang9140 Před rokem

    Very informative. Thank you. Can I please have the link to the place where you got your straw bales?

  • @SistersBreakingBad
    @SistersBreakingBad Před 11 měsíci

    How often do you fertilize because I don’t think their is the same nutrients in straw as soil? Or is how you transplanted with all the fertilizer and fish emulsion etc enough to take them through harvesting?

  • @anniegaddis5240
    @anniegaddis5240 Před 5 měsíci

    Liked and sharing!

  • @B._Smith
    @B._Smith Před 3 měsíci

    Do they dry out in the summer? My straw mulched ground garden soil stays moist in the summer.

  • @sylvia10101
    @sylvia10101 Před rokem

    This is so interesting! Thank you for sharing MG😊👍

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      You're welcome! Thank you for watching.

    • @michaelmosley254
      @michaelmosley254 Před rokem

      Great video I would like to try it but at 10 dollars a bale here in TN I can't afford it

    • @mariap.894
      @mariap.894 Před rokem +1

      ​@@michaelmosley254 Try $14 here in Florida 😢

    • @growagarden54
      @growagarden54 Před rokem

      @@michaelmosley254 But, you won't need any fertilizer at all. The bale is a container and fertilizer. I used it for years.

  • @tradermunky1998
    @tradermunky1998 Před rokem

    Very cool, thanks!

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      Thank you so much for your support and generosity! I really appreciate it ❤

  • @seazestyt
    @seazestyt Před 4 měsíci

    Like anything else there are cons and pros. The straw bale needs a lot more water due to the loss by drainage and evaporation since it is exposed to wind and not self contained . Also it does not have the microbiome of a soil demanding a lot of of fertilizers. Overall it still be a cheap way to grow food.

  • @markrichardson183
    @markrichardson183 Před 4 měsíci

    Do you compost the straw bales over winter?

  • @lanialost1320
    @lanialost1320 Před rokem

    Other straw bale gardeners "condition" the bales first over a period of 10-11 days before planting -- just as described in Joel Karsten's book "Straw Bale Gardens" -- also described in other youtube vids.

  • @pamdepaolo8027
    @pamdepaolo8027 Před 4 měsíci

    Where did you buy your bales? Herbicides is my concern too.

  • @leannerissman8315
    @leannerissman8315 Před 5 měsíci

    Hi I've just found your channel. Can you explain why the bales are on plastic, or is that weed matting?

  • @michaelglenn8598
    @michaelglenn8598 Před rokem +1

    Cool video. Will you be growing anything in the actual ground? I’ve just used my two acre yard for years and always get great results. Seems like you’ve covered your whole yard In Plastic..

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      The straw bale garden is an experiment to see if the tomatoes won’t get ruined under cover. Tomatoes get destroyed here due to our rainfall.

  • @davidayers5173
    @davidayers5173 Před 3 měsíci

    Are your bails flat or on their side? My seem awful tight, shoud I retie and cut present strings?

  • @jwstanley2645
    @jwstanley2645 Před 7 měsíci

    Thank you for such detailed how-to. What do you do with all that food?

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před 7 měsíci

      You’re welcome! It isn’t as much as you think, especially if you aren’t buying produce. Just making a pot of tomato sauce takes, literally, 20+lbs or more of tomatoes. It cools down very quickly. There’s never enough.

  • @msjoy2005
    @msjoy2005 Před 2 měsíci

    My straw bales are so tightly packed. I had to use a blade to cut through it to plant

  • @cherylcameron6099
    @cherylcameron6099 Před 4 měsíci

    How many growing seasons can a bale be used?

  • @Lydiasandoval-dk8ce
    @Lydiasandoval-dk8ce Před 2 měsíci

    Can you use old bales? lol I have a few leftover from last fall.

  • @hazeysgarden
    @hazeysgarden Před rokem

    Since it’s not growing in a soil or compost. Do you have to fertilize a lot more often so that the plants have enough nutrients?

  • @jaygoodwin5502
    @jaygoodwin5502 Před rokem

    Thank you!

  • @kristinbianconi2946
    @kristinbianconi2946 Před 4 měsíci

    HELP! We are trying this for the first time and have followed the process to the letter. This is day 10 and my bales are NOT heating up at all! They are ranging from 58-62 degrees while the air temp is 68. What can we do to be ready to plant in about 3 weeks?

  • @frostylonewolf1700
    @frostylonewolf1700 Před rokem

    i cannot wait to plant my vegetables

  • @edjo3430
    @edjo3430 Před rokem

    Can you plant Jerusalem artichokes or potatoes in this medium?

  • @bobrowninghorton4976
    @bobrowninghorton4976 Před rokem

    Hey, what are some disease preventions and when u have disease a solution to stop it and what are some pesticides to control insects and pest? All organic solutions? Thank you! For tomato's and other vegetables.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      I cover those issues in this playlist: czcams.com/play/PL1gY7BoYBGIG0SVll6H6boefbbL1-V5fo.html

  • @debcrump5035
    @debcrump5035 Před rokem

    I enjoy your videos but I would like to know what kind of fabric you have covering your ground and does it need staking down.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      It is weed barrier. I have a video on it here, and I have another video on it dropping this afternoon in about 3 hours: czcams.com/video/XT1reOI1-5E/video.html

  • @NitaP1569
    @NitaP1569 Před rokem

    What are the hoops
    Made of above the area and purpose?

  • @mystic24100
    @mystic24100 Před rokem

    I live in Iowa and have never heard of Grazon.

  • @artstamper316
    @artstamper316 Před rokem

    I hear a lot about fish emulsion being used as a fertilizer, but it occurs to me that with the seemingly prevalence of mercury within our ocean environment fish emulsion may not be a safe thing to use in organic gardening. What are your thoughts? Thanks.

  • @crazysquirrel9425
    @crazysquirrel9425 Před rokem +3

    You didn't show how to trellis those tomato plants.
    You also did not mention green beans (bush),
    My bales are SOGGY even with 80+ heat, wind, and humidity in the teens.
    They are not heating up at all even after a few weeks.
    I had to use lopping shears to cut holes in my bales. Stuff is hard to cut even with those.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      This video is about planting in straw bales, not trellising. Straw bales won’t heat up on their own. They need nitrogen. You should use urea. There is a series on conditioning bales in the video description.

    • @herbharriss8498
      @herbharriss8498 Před rokem +1

      fwiw, I used a Sawzall ( reciprocating saw )

    • @crazysquirrel9425
      @crazysquirrel9425 Před rokem +2

      @@TheMillennialGardener I used urea nitrogen (46-0-0) as suggested.
      I got the smell of ammonia for a few days after the course was completed.
      Still no heat and very soggy....
      Sigh.
      Had my hopes up too.
      Knowing my luck it will kick in about July and cook everything I have planted in it....

    • @pattiannepascual
      @pattiannepascual Před rokem +1

      NJ hay and straw bales are the same way. heavy as heck too.I use a knife or saw to just break up the bales and mix it in with compost. it takes a long time to break down down too. It's very different than straw bales I interacted with in Pennsylvania and couple of other states.Not sure why but NJ straw impossible to work with.

  • @i1bike
    @i1bike Před rokem

    How do roots take food from that straw bales i dont get it, do you add anything so bale can rot in inside ?

  • @user-bo4su3kw5u
    @user-bo4su3kw5u Před 9 měsíci

    Hi Anthony - is it possible to use these strawbales again next year? BTW, I used your tutorial to plant this year and the strawbales provided an awesome harvest (:

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před 9 měsíci +1

      Only if they do not decompose sufficiently. Here in North Carolina, my straw bales did not make it past August. The decomposition was too fast in our warm, wet summers. I think in most climates, the straw bales will only be usable for a single season. You can, however, repurpose them as free mulch for your trees. That's what I did.

  • @manelson948
    @manelson948 Před rokem

    Will hay bales work as well as straw bales?

  • @terrystanley1558
    @terrystanley1558 Před rokem

    Have you heard of using electric culture for your garden stakes if so what gauge of copper wire would you use

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      I am not sure what you’re referring to.

    • @rhyothemisprinceps1617
      @rhyothemisprinceps1617 Před rokem

      @@TheMillennialGardener I had to look that up - apparently there is something called 'electroculture' & there are some YT videos on it - now on my 'to watch' list. My guess is it alters redox potential of soil, but I guess I'll find out after watching videos. I'd rather try altering redox with something like EDTA than have to mess with electrical wiring.

  • @TheRainHarvester
    @TheRainHarvester Před rokem +1

    It'll be interesting to see if this works. Did you see results for straw bales in your area? I don't think this would work in central Texas. (Too dry)

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      One of my old neighbors grew in them fine. It will work fine no matter where you live as long as you have a system to keep them hydrated. If it's too hot in your area, shade cloth is an answer.

    • @growagarden54
      @growagarden54 Před rokem +1

      It will work anywhere. It's amazing. No need for any additional fertilizer. I used straw bales for years.

    • @TheRainHarvester
      @TheRainHarvester Před rokem

      @@growagarden54 would it work with leaves instead? If not, Why ?

    • @growagarden54
      @growagarden54 Před rokem +1

      @@TheRainHarvester No. The straw which is tied together into a bale, and after conditioning with blood meal etc. begins to decompose into a compost. Straw being hollow, retains the water to hydrates the plants. After the conditioning process, I actually plant flowers and herbs on the sides of the bales.

    • @TheRainHarvester
      @TheRainHarvester Před rokem

      @@growagarden54 what if i leave the leaves in a bag? Moisture is retained in a bag. Airflow is allowed if bag is opened at top. Anyone try this?

  • @LostBeagle
    @LostBeagle Před rokem

    Hey MG. Temperatures are dropping to 43 here in central PA next week. Is it too soon to plant tomatoes and peppers?? It's been in the 80's during the day here recently, and in the mid 60's at night

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      Tomatoes are killed by frost and freeze. If it doesn't frost or freeze, the tomatoes won't be injured. Persistent cool temperatures can cause yellowing or purple-ing due to nutrient uptake issues, but they'll remedy as soon as it warms up. Using the milk jug greenhouse method to keep them warm help keeps the deficiencies away. czcams.com/video/IkNczi2K-lU/video.html

    • @LostBeagle
      @LostBeagle Před rokem

      @@TheMillennialGardener I'll keep my plants indoors and under grow lights for another week. They're saying the cold could last through the first week of May. I planted 35 potatoes on 04/05. They're just now breaking the soil.

  • @lottiekenney636
    @lottiekenney636 Před rokem

    Can you plant seeds in the bale of straw and use soil and fertilizer as you do a plant??-😮😮

  • @cathybestlercurtis
    @cathybestlercurtis Před rokem

    Finally!

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      Things are 3 weeks behind this year thanks to a cold end to March and a bunch of damping off problems. But they'll catch up.

  • @sandiarms4719
    @sandiarms4719 Před rokem

    What do you do with last year’s straw bales?

    • @i1bike
      @i1bike Před rokem

      use in normal garden around tomatoes ?

  • @thebighoss1
    @thebighoss1 Před rokem

    My bales aren’t heating up. My bales sat outside all winter and are very wet. Using urea for several days but no heat. Can they be to wet? Or would they have all ready heated without fertilizer?

    • @markb8954
      @markb8954 Před rokem +1

      If your bales sat outside all winter & got soaking wet, they are most probably cycled and ready to go. The urea kick starts the fresh new bales, but urs already started “composting”. Make sure you flush the urea out or it will burn new plants.

  • @richardrubin120
    @richardrubin120 Před rokem

    Do you use the bails only one year?

  • @Scott___T
    @Scott___T Před rokem

    Wanted to try straw bales this year. Picked up 4 bales about 3 weeks ago. Prepped them with 46-0-0 every other day for 6 days; water only on the days off. Only 1 of the 4 bales started to heat up. Any way to get the other 3 to start? First timer with straw bales; only second year with a garden.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      Did you get rain that washed the bales out after you applied the fertilizer? Were the bales soaked down well beforehand? They should all start heating up at the same time unless some were already rotted and composted.

    • @Scott___T
      @Scott___T Před rokem

      @@TheMillennialGardener Thank you for the reply! We did get rain on day 8. Found your method of prepping them after failure and a search. The remaining 3 bales are heavy from water and have some color on the sides. Also smell like things are starting; but no temp increase. Even bought a compost thermometer; and checked that against my food thermometer. Just strange that 1 of 4 bales started...
      ETA all 4 are brand new; dry bales

  • @mariap.894
    @mariap.894 Před rokem

    I'm gonna pass on this one Anthony, the bails of straw are $14.00 + tax at the "nearest" (1 hr drive) store by me here in SoFlo. 😢
    Love to sweet Dale🐕, he's so cute😍❤️

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      That's odd. They're $6-7 around here, which is much cheaper than a bag of potting soil. And when you're done growing in these, you use them as mulch, so it's like getting free mulch in return. Maybe look for a farm supply store inland a bit. It could be South Florida is too hot for hay or grains to grow.

    • @mariap.894
      @mariap.894 Před rokem

      @@TheMillennialGardener Anthony, the sign at my nearest Tractor Supply Store said $19 Dollars!! So we got it "on sale". That's why I only bought 1 stinking bail. I'll see if my local Ace has it, but it's hard to get it here in South Florida. Thanks for your response. Hug for Dale🐕💜

    • @i1bike
      @i1bike Před rokem

      @@mariap.894
      here in europe, big bag of 50L potting soil is 6 dollars. If you want we can swap houses. I want to visit florida. I live 200m from the sea, i am agro-fisherman haha

  • @crwlh6721
    @crwlh6721 Před rokem +1

    Are you switching from your raised garden beds? Is this the best way to plant now? What made you decide to use this method?

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      I'm doing this because I can cover them from rain, and it rains too much here for my tomatoes to grow. It's explained in my straw bale series.

  • @JustSumGuy
    @JustSumGuy Před rokem

    How does anyone find straw they can trust these day? So much Herbicides I don't think I could ever trust buying bales of straw.

  • @randyman8984
    @randyman8984 Před rokem

    I was at one of the big box stores and walked over to their wheat straw trailer and noticed a weird smell? Hard to describe the smell but it was very strong. Is that normal for wheat straw bales to have a strong odor??

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      I'm not sure what smell you're referring to. Usually, wheat straw just smells like dried grass. It isn't much of a smell. When it was very hot during the conditioning process, it smelled like a horse stall. If it had the classic barnyard smell, it could be the trailer was getting very hot in the sun and it was causing the straw to rot. Once my bales hit 130 degrees, the scent was strong.

    • @randyman8984
      @randyman8984 Před rokem

      ​@@TheMillennialGardener The scent almost reminds me of a oil smell. I bought one bale and brought it home. I spread some around my compost bin and it has stuff sprouting in it already. Looks like grass, I am assuming its wheat?

  • @catemc2323
    @catemc2323 Před rokem +1

    🌈💚🍀
    Hi Dale 👋😘🐶🦴

  • @xli1059
    @xli1059 Před rokem

  • @prettypothos4me290
    @prettypothos4me290 Před rokem

    How do you water these in the future?

  • @neethanagriinfoworld1978

    hello, i need some stawbery seeds can you send that

  • @jackiekreuzer4008
    @jackiekreuzer4008 Před rokem

    Will strawberries grow in a straw bale..

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem

      Yes, but keep in mind strawberries are perennials, and the straw bales will break down completely in 1-2 years. The strawberries will outlive the bales, so you'll have to find a way to move them somehow.

    • @jackiekreuzer4008
      @jackiekreuzer4008 Před rokem

      @@TheMillennialGardener
      Thank you..

  • @pattiannepascual
    @pattiannepascual Před rokem

    nice idea but way too many products needed = very expensive. I will stick to soil and compost in cloth or thick plastic bags,stores put groceries in these days.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +2

      Why do you think it's expensive? A straw bale is about $6, and it cost maybe $15 -20 to condition them all. That is a fraction of the cost of potting mix for container gardening, I don't need to buy any containers, and then all that straw will be reused as mulch for all my fruit trees, so I get to mulch all my trees totally free. This is much cheaper than buying soil.

    • @growagarden54
      @growagarden54 Před rokem +1

      Straw bale gardening does not need "any" fertilizer". The bale is your container and fertilizer. As the bale decomposes it becomes compost. It's amazing! This is his first time trying this process. One thing is that the straw bale is only good for one season.

    • @pattiannepascual
      @pattiannepascual Před rokem +1

      @@TheMillennialGardener you used so many "products".,I am older, don't drive so would be difficult to go get that stuff besides not afford it on a limited income. I just use homemade compost and occasional compost tea I make in a bucket worth grass,banana peel ,etc-
      I usually grow potatoes in compost soil mix with a lot of straw. Never needed any fertilizers or any of that other stuff.
      These days and in our near future, the way our country is going, few of us will be able to afford any products at all. Better to keep it simple and organic.
      I do love your channel, I just don't buy any of the stuff you use.

  • @imagesinbloom
    @imagesinbloom Před rokem

    I tried this last year, did everything right except it was an epic fail. The landscaper I got the bales from lied about them being treated . Epic fail, not doing this again

  • @TheRainHarvester
    @TheRainHarvester Před rokem

    Looks like you are using your truck!

  • @melaniedennis9540
    @melaniedennis9540 Před rokem

    You get bonus mushrooms to eat

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před rokem +1

      I don't think I'll be eating any random air-seeded mushrooms anytime soon. That's really risky.

  • @beverlylacrone6316
    @beverlylacrone6316 Před rokem

    Yikes..we still have temps at night in high 20's, low 30,s

  • @user-lg6ki6ic5f
    @user-lg6ki6ic5f Před 6 měsíci

    You had me until the man made fertilizer part. Yikes! Otherwise good info.

  • @MsCaterific
    @MsCaterific Před rokem

    🤍

  • @midnull6009
    @midnull6009 Před rokem +1

    Just be careful. This attracts rats/mice. :)

  • @pamelaschoppeebortz223
    @pamelaschoppeebortz223 Před 6 měsíci

    Seems like overkill to me.

    • @TheMillennialGardener
      @TheMillennialGardener  Před 6 měsíci +1

      Not at all. This was a great success. Very easy to manage and no nematode problems.