I am about halfway through maturing the four strawbales pictured below. It is a bit late but it cannot be helped. They look very boring don’t they?. I prefer to think of them as a blank canvas. When the plants go in it will look much more interesting. First we need to prepare our canvas. I am using water, organic lawn feed and chicken manure pellets. Those who have read my previous blogs on strawbale gardening will know I have developed a seventeen day “maturing” schedule, where I add water and a nitrogen based feed in varying quantities over a seventeen day period. By the end of this time, the strawbales should be composting nicely and ready to plant and or sow into.
Remember, if you use lawn feed, make sure it does not contain weed killer. Once matured I intend to plant three pairs of Jo and Grace patio type tomatoes. They are small sweet and delicious. Also lettuce All Year Round. This variety grows really well in strawbales. Lettuce is a great companion plant to tomatoes as well.
I have one marrow planned to go in. Bush Baby. Many of you will know this is my favourite marrow. It is medium sized and a heavy cropper. I have grown this variety many times in strawbales. It is super easy to grow.
In two of the corners I will plant runner beans. My go to variety for strawbale gardening is Enorma, producing delecate white flowers, long smooth pods and is a big cropper. Part two of this blog will be planting and sowing in the four strawbales. Please subscribe to my blog and get all the news from the Viking Way.
Thanks Simon.
Strawbale Gardening e-book here.
Seed Shop here.
