The 2021 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
- heirl00m
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The 2021 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
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!
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:
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.
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Welcome!
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
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.
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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!
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.
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.
- PlainJane
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
Very nice looking garden. You don’t get chipmunks, etc. diving through the straw?
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- Robert A. Heinlein
- Robert A. Heinlein
- pepperhead212
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
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/
https://thegrownetwork.com/hidden-dange ... gardening/
Woodbury, NJ zone 7a/7b
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
Did you plant tomatoes in the bales in 2019 or will 2020 be the first year growing tomatoes in bales?
- heirl00m
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
I believe it's wheat straw, but I'm not 100% sure.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.
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
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!
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.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/
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!
To illustrate the metabolic activity happening inside the bales, here are some of last season's bales photographed with a thermal imager.
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?
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?
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- ddsack
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
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!
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!
- maxjohnson
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
I think I'll do one just for fun.
- heirl00m
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
[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.
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.
There's no good reason for parsley. None.
- Growing Coastal
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
Looking forward to seeing last years pics!
- heirl00m
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
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- ddsack
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
[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.
- Nico
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
Simply awesome, thanks for sharing your photos, I will follow this thread with interest.
Nico
Nico
Plants have, like animals, in the degree and almost in the form, the sensitivity, that essential attribute of life.
- goodloe
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
I have thought about trying this method, but I'm with [mention]GoDawgs[/mention] ...TOO many fireants here! Yours look great, keeps us updated!!
I have 2 seasons: Tomato and pepper season, and BAMA Football season!
- heirl00m
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
As the microbial composition of the bales continues to evolve, the next phase of bale breakdown is characterized by these ink cap mushrooms.
Internal temperatures are beginning to fall into the 70s. If we didn't have an impending cold snap, I'd plant today!
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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- GoDawgs
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
Interesting to watch the process as the bale evolves.
- maxjohnson
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
I am starting to do the 14 days prep today. Would I be able to grow decent watermelon in straw bale?
- GoDawgs
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
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.
- heirl00m
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Re: The 2020 Straw Bale Tomato Experience!
There are some eye-popping pics on Google of watermelons in straw bales, so I thing they'll do really well! Do you have a high nitrogen fertilizer and a conditioning schedule?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?
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