The 2021 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

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heirl00m
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The 2021 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#1

Post: # 17668Unread post heirl00m
Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:42 am

NOTE: the 2021 garden starts at this link: viewtopic.php?f=65&t=977&start=40#p46449. The first 50 posts of this thread are of last year's 2020 garden. All basics, such as layout and principles of growing and prepping straw bales have remained unchanged, and are described in the beginning of this thread.

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Welcome! :P

As the 2020 growing season ssssslowly emerges from this cold, damp spring, I wanted to share some photos of my garden layout, as well as some of last season's grow.

The advantages of growing in straw bales include:
  • Virtually no weeds
    No soil-borne diseases or parasites
    Excellent root zone aeration and drainage
    Modular expansion made easy--just plop a bale down where you want to grow!
    Residual metabolic activity heats the bale, allowing for slightly earlier planting
My garden consists of 16 bales configured in a large 'E' (2020 is adding serifs--this pic of last year's garden only had 14).
20190419_190246.jpg
Prepping the bales involves sprinkling a high nitrogen fertilizer and water on them for about 14 days. As the bale begins to auto-compost, the inner temperature can spike up to 140 deg F!
20190416_144243.jpg
Plants are simply inserted in a seam in the bale that you make with your hands. A handful of organic potting mix to fill the surrounding crevice, and that's it.

I then ran 1/2" irrigation tubing over the whole network of bales, with 0.9gal/hr emitters spaced every 18". This season I think I'm going to switch from the tubing with inline emitters to solid tubing that I can run a single line from to the base of each plant. Much more precise and targeted water delivery in this way.
20190519_155116.jpg
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Last edited by heirl00m on Sun May 09, 2021 8:06 am, edited 3 times in total.
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GoDawgs
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#2

Post: # 17673Unread post GoDawgs
Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:16 pm

Wow, that's a nice set up and it looks secure from critters too. Nice healthy radishes!

Question... Is that wheat straw? And does the heat of decomposition affect the plants in any way or is the heat on the downswing when it's time to plant?

With those danged fire ants here I can't use straw bales. It's like setting up a hotel for them. :shock:

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PlainJane
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#3

Post: # 17690Unread post PlainJane
Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:17 pm

Very nice looking garden. You don’t get chipmunks, etc. diving through the straw?
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pepperhead212
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#4

Post: # 17721Unread post pepperhead212
Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:46 pm

Glad you had such great luck with this! However, in many areas, people need to check into the straw or hay, to be sure that it is organic.
https://thegrownetwork.com/hidden-dange ... gardening/
Woodbury, NJ zone 7a/7b

Gardadore
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#5

Post: # 17735Unread post Gardadore
Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:02 am

Did you plant tomatoes in the bales in 2019 or will 2020 be the first year growing tomatoes in bales?

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heirl00m
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#6

Post: # 17763Unread post heirl00m
Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:48 am

GoDawgs wrote: Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:16 pm Wow, that's a nice set up and it looks secure from critters too. Nice healthy radishes!

Question... Is that wheat straw? And does the heat of decomposition affect the plants in any way or is the heat on the downswing when it's time to plant?

With those danged fire ants here I can't use straw bales. It's like setting up a hotel for them. :shock:
I believe it's wheat straw, but I'm not 100% sure.

The initial decomposition is what produces the rather large spike in core temperature. By day 7 the insides are easily 120+. This gradually drops to where by day 15-16, the core temperature is only about 10 degrees above ambient conditions. Folks who've been doing this longer than I have say that one can sow/transplant about a week before one would in soil--but if the weather has been crappy and cold then the bales could potentially be used even earlier.

I learned the hard way by planting in a bale that was still 90 degrees; for some reason the temps just weren't coming down like the others. Needless to say, Mr. Robeson did not enjoy his roots being *that* warm :o
PlainJane wrote: Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:17 pm Very nice looking garden. You don’t get chipmunks, etc. diving through the straw?
The sidewall netting is zip tied along its bottom seam to the floor of the garden, which is landscaping cloth covered with chicken wire. I then lay sheets of cardboard over the wire in the aisles.

I really, really hate to jinx myself, but last year the critters were not an issue. I had prepared for an invasion of squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and birds. I'm going to continue to be vigilant, because I know they never rest!
pepperhead212 wrote: Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:46 pm Glad you had such great luck with this! However, in many areas, people need to check into the straw or hay, to be sure that it is organic.
https://thegrownetwork.com/hidden-dange ... gardening/
Yes, if the straw was sprayed with herbicide, it may impede ideal growth. One can run an assay by chopping up a handful of straw, wetting it, and then germinating some grass seed in the mix. A soil dish makes an ideal control.
Gardadore wrote: Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:02 am Did you plant tomatoes in the bales in 2019 or will 2020 be the first year growing tomatoes in bales?
This is my second season in bales. Many more pics of last season's bounty to come!
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heirl00m
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#7

Post: # 17764Unread post heirl00m
Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:52 am

To illustrate the metabolic activity happening inside the bales, here are some of last season's bales photographed with a thermal imager.
img_thermal_1555502266940.jpg
As you can see, the heat activity is variable. Since every bale is unique in terms of density, they mature at different speeds. At their peak, these bales get hot enough to cook with. Straw bale sous vide steak, anyone? :lol:
img_thermal_1555502522250.jpg
img_thermal_1555502245598.jpg
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ddsack
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#8

Post: # 17776Unread post ddsack
Sun Apr 19, 2020 2:29 pm

Impressive photos! What kind/make of camera is that? For police/army work?

We just about can't get small square bales of either straw or hay around here. All the farmers have gone to making the big round bales or square stacks that need a forklift to move. Probably partly because they can't hire any cheap help to do the stacking of the small bales. Some times the garden stores will truck some in, but the prices are through the roof. Oh for the old days of $1 a bale for horse straw bedding! :shock:

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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#9

Post: # 17777Unread post maxjohnson
Sun Apr 19, 2020 2:39 pm

I think I'll do one just for fun.

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heirl00m
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#10

Post: # 18298Unread post heirl00m
Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:02 am

[mention]ddsack[/mention] Incredibly enough, the thermal imager is a sub $200 smartphone dongle. Originally purchased to identify areas of poor insulation in my house, at which it excelled! It's proved itself quite useful for the oddest little tasks.

https://www.amazon.com/Seek-Thermal-Com ... _dp_1&th=1

Yeah, the cost of bales and availability is definitely a factor. Some folks will use their bales for a second season, but mine were not trussed up tightly enough and ended up shaped like straw volcanoes LOL. At least they make some amazing compost!

[mention]maxjohnson[/mention] Do it! I think you'll have fun! At the very least, it's a neat little novelty that's sure to start some conversations.
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Growing Coastal
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#11

Post: # 18301Unread post Growing Coastal
Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:08 am

Looking forward to seeing last years pics!

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heirl00m
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#12

Post: # 18322Unread post heirl00m
Sat Apr 25, 2020 11:53 am

20190522_092039.jpg
20190522_135746.jpg
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#13

Post: # 18341Unread post ddsack
Sat Apr 25, 2020 2:07 pm

[mention]heirl00m[/mention] thanks for the link! I did not realize that such a dongle existed. How impressive is technology! I did put it in my Amazon save for later list, not sure I really need one, but at least I'll know where to find it again if I do.

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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#14

Post: # 18351Unread post Nico
Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:14 pm

Simply awesome, thanks for sharing your photos, I will follow this thread with interest.
Nico
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#15

Post: # 18409Unread post goodloe
Sun Apr 26, 2020 8:25 am

I have thought about trying this method, but I'm with [mention]GoDawgs[/mention] ...TOO many fireants here! Yours look great, keeps us updated!!
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heirl00m
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#16

Post: # 19285Unread post heirl00m
Wed May 06, 2020 9:46 am

As the microbial composition of the bales continues to evolve, the next phase of bale breakdown is characterized by these ink cap mushrooms.
20200504_084630.jpg
20200503_120347.jpg
Internal temperatures are beginning to fall into the 70s. If we didn't have an impending cold snap, I'd plant today!
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#17

Post: # 19289Unread post GoDawgs
Wed May 06, 2020 10:13 am

Interesting to watch the process as the bale evolves.

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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#18

Post: # 19954Unread post maxjohnson
Thu May 14, 2020 12:46 pm

I am starting to do the 14 days prep today. Would I be able to grow decent watermelon in straw bale?

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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#19

Post: # 19973Unread post GoDawgs
Thu May 14, 2020 4:30 pm

I don't see why not. The plant will come up and start vining all over the place and the vines are where the melons are.

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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!

#20

Post: # 20008Unread post heirl00m
Fri May 15, 2020 10:19 am

maxjohnson wrote: Thu May 14, 2020 12:46 pm I am starting to do the 14 days prep today. Would I be able to grow decent watermelon in straw bale?
There are some eye-popping pics on Google of watermelons in straw bales, so I thing they'll do really well! :shock: Do you have a high nitrogen fertilizer and a conditioning schedule?
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