A Chiropractor's Answer for Gardening and Low Back Pain - Straw Bale Gardening
In this post, I’ll discuss two things I enjoy
very much: helping you become and stay healthier through chiropractic,
and gardening.
More specifically, let me introduce you to STRAW BALE GARDENING.
Who should plant a Straw Bale Garden?
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=2130198
Who should plant a Straw Bale Garden?
- Can't do heavy lifting? If you are less capable or less interested in doing the heavy work of traditional gardening, such as tilling the soil, constant weeding, unending insect battles and persistent disease spraying, Straw Bale Gardening virtually eliminates these challenges.
- Can't bend over? If you have a physical limitation or handicap that restricts you from getting down on the ground, you will appreciate the easier access to the higher surface of a straw bale, which eliminates the bending to plant and harvest.
- Poor soil or limited space? If your have a low soil quality, or if you have limited space that you can devote to a garden, you will love Straw Bale Gardening with its low cost, flexibility in garden placement, and great performance of the straw once it's properly conditioned.
- Interested in broadening your gardening horizons? If you are a seasoned gardener looking for a fun new method, you will be amazed at the results!
- Joel Karsten http://strawbalegardens.com/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=2130198
To
begin, lay the bale with its cut ends up (string parallel to the
ground) and condition your straw bales over a ten day period. The
recommended procedure is to sprinkle a ½ cup of cheap fertilizer
(30-0-0) over each bale on days 1, 3, and 5, then water thoroughly. On
days 2, 4 and 6, water. Days 7 through 9 use a ¼ cup of the fertilizer
plus water. On day 10, apply one cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer and water.
Use the least expensive fertilizer available. By the end of the
conditioning period, the straw inside the bale has begun to compost.
Don’t be surprised if earth worms have made a new home and mushrooms are
sprouting.
You
can now plant directly into your conditioned straw bales by digging a
hole large enough to take your transplants. If you are starting from
seed, spread a 1 to 2 inch layer of soil over top to stop the seeds from
falling into holes in the straw. As top soil often contains weed seeds,
you may wish to use a sterilized mix. Space your plants as you would if
planting in soil. (This method may not work well for corn as you can
only plant one or two stalks per bale). Because the
composting process produces warmth, the roots will develop faster than
normal leading to stronger plant growth and perhaps an earlier start for
the gardening season.
You
can use tomato cages to support your plants or let them sprawl.
However, if you have a row of bales, secure a post at each end and
string wires or fencing between them. Place your bottom wire about 12
inches above the straw bales and then each successive wire at 10 inch
intervals to tie up your plants as they grow. The bottom wire allows you
to use plastic sheet as a tent to protect young plants from cold spring
conditions. When your bales are done in after a year or two, they can
be spread out as mulch or compost and replaced with fresh bales quite
easily.
http://tashavia.blogspot.ca/2011/03/straw-bale-gardening-101.html
Where to buy straw bales for garden?
http://tashavia.blogspot.ca/2011/03/straw-bale-gardening-101.html
Where to buy straw bales for garden?
- Most garden supply centres and nurseries sell straw bales. The big
nursery centres often have free trailer use to cart your bales home if
you have a towbar and if you need more than one bale that won't go in
your car.
- Farmers are your next bet if you live in the country.
- Also try animal breeding places and stables as they often buy straw bales in bulk for bedding and may sell you the odd one.
- With the popularity of straw bale house building, it's worthwhile asking at builder's suppliers for bales for your garden.
- Local councils, public road or transport control organizations are also worth a try for buying straw bales for gardening, as they sometimes use bales to buffer traffic and divert rubble from drains etc. If they won't part with one to you, they should be able to give you a supplier's contact.
- http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/straw-bale-gardening.html
Don’t
forget to share the bounty with your bounty with your neighbours and
tell them you got the idea from your chiropractor.
Credit to Joel Karsten for his work in perfecting the technique and sharing it via www.strawbalegardens.com
Credit to Joel Karsten for his work in perfecting the technique and sharing it via www.strawbalegardens.com
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