Straw bale gardening in rainy climate - Ask Extension
Hello. I'm about ready to try straw bale gardening around my house. I have found little information on how successful this approach is in a rainy cl...
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Straw bale gardening in rainy climate #312128
Asked April 08, 2016, 6:51 PM EDT
Hello. I'm about ready to try straw bale gardening around my house. I have found little information on how successful this approach is in a rainy climate. Really the only tip specific to this type of climate I have found is to possibly wrap the bales in plastic to encourage their heating up during the conditioning phase.
My concern is more about what happens after the bales have been conditioned and planted. Is there an increased chance of mold or fungus using straw bales compared to a traditional raised bed garden if it's a rainy summer? Are there any steps that could/should be taken in a rainy climate using the bale method of gardening?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Straw bale gardening in a rainy climate could have a few issues. One I have found is the problem of temperature, with the rain comes reduced temperature and a slow decomposition of the straw. Wrapping in plastic will help but may not produce the result as quickly as you might need for a timely garden. Start in January in order to condition the bales long enough or delay your gardening until the heat in the bales is noticeable. If you can not feel heat in the bales, there is no
decomposition occurring. I am concerned about putting the bales around your house. There might be mice and other rodents that would love to live in your bales.
Mushrroms and other fungus is a normal part of decomposition and should not harm the plants but could have an unpleasant aroma. I have also add a few inches of potting soil that I pat down to make a seedbed. The following is a reference from Washington Sate for Straw-Bale-Gardening.
http://milwaukee.uwex.edu/files/2010/05/Growing-a-Straw-Bale-Garden.pdf
decomposition occurring. I am concerned about putting the bales around your house. There might be mice and other rodents that would love to live in your bales.
Mushrroms and other fungus is a normal part of decomposition and should not harm the plants but could have an unpleasant aroma. I have also add a few inches of potting soil that I pat down to make a seedbed. The following is a reference from Washington Sate for Straw-Bale-Gardening.
http://milwaukee.uwex.edu/files/2010/05/Growing-a-Straw-Bale-Garden.pdf
