Straw Bale Gardening
When we moved to Westcliffe last summer is was…dry, brown and hot. I had a moment or two of panic, thinking ‘what have we done’. We had left a lovely green place with an established yard, garden, flowers and lovely pine trees. I despaired. The magnificent views, the friendly folk of the valley and our dreams saved me and inspired me to plan to plant this year!
We had several things to consider. First, the dogs, especially ones with long coats, do not mix well with weeds nor do muddy or snow-covered paws on new hard wood floors. Hardscape was the way to go for a yard for the dogs. It is just off the back deck and laundry/mud room hallway, accessed by a doggy door. When not out and about with us, they have a good space to run, play and, most importantly nap!
Secondly, I wanted to try my hand at growing food! A good friend in Yoder, Colorado told me about straw bale gardening and I was amazed to see the wealth of produce she grew & harvested. After a winter of research and handy bales used around my duck coop for winter protection, I was about ready to begin my ‘experiment’.
A bit of conditioning with nitrogen, water and sunshine
helps compost the center of the bales, basically turning them to soil. I used both coffee grounds and bone meal to prep my bales. I kept my 15 bales down by the duck coop to create a cozy garden oasis. I am especially enjoying watching seeds grow. What a miracle…from
a little tiny dry seed comes my okra, radish, arugula, mesclun, bok coy,
carrots, beets, bush beans and string beans! I have only planted a bale of each,
including a few plants of heirloom tomatoes, strawberries, squash, and bell peppers. All seem to be doing well. The
only feeble bale is the herbs, perhaps because they are partly shaded.
These bales have several things going for them: no expense for garden soil, they are out of reach of my duck girl’s hungry beaks, less expensive than building raised beds and with a little netting the birds have not damaged the developing fruit and veg. They also are easy to water, just one gallon per bale – duck pond water works for us – every other day thus far and the heat generated from composting will extend the growing season a bit. I really think our donkey, Sam, and the general commotion around our place deter the deer, rabbits and predators. We have fenced in our front and back yards, as well, to keep out the wandering cattle, too.
So we shall see how bountiful my harvest is this year. We have already tasted one sweet strawberry and in a few days, I will make a big salad from the mesclun greens, then sow some more. Thank God for a year with precipitation and green. Happy gardening!