has anyone tried haybail gardening???

[lauren6]

Im thinking this might work for me since Im gardening on a hill and dont want to lug a bunch of soil up there for raised beds and was wondering if anyone here had experience with it?? and the pros and cons... Plus we are building our coop this year and I want to use my backyard budget for that, not on a bunch of dirt, for raised beds...LOL


Here is a link about it

http://www.carolinacountry.com/cgardens/thismonth/march06guide/straw.html#intro

 

[Melissakins]

We're planning on trying this this year. Our garden is at the bottom of the property and when it rained like it did last year, it basically washed it all away

We have a friend who does this and has HUGE tomatoes and a ton of them......

 

[chickencoop31320]

I hadn't heard of it before... asked my sister about it and she says she would love to try it.
I think I might have a hard time finding STRAW, would regular hay work the same?

 

[Southernbelle]

I'd never heard of it before, but it looks worth trying. I'd have trouble remembering to water 2x/day.

 

[Royd]

Basically, it's hydroponic gardening, with the bales providing structure, for the roots..I would imagine that straw would work as well. You are simply feeding the plants with a complete fertilizer, plus, eliminating all of the groundborn problems.

 

[debilorrah]

I totally thought the title said hairball.

 

[redhen]

Neat! Thanks for this idea!!

 

[lauren6]

LOL!!! Hairball


there are some videos on utube about it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m59ZnlSDQGA&feature=related

Im just worried about the fertilizer and the chickens??

my backyard is uphill, the chickens are going to be across the top then the next step down is where im planning on putting the veggies this year. Ive got to fence in the vegs but what about the runoff?? Id like to have the chickens free range part of the day, but im worried about the runoff from all the fertilizer this may require..

 

[texasgal]

I would use straw and NOT hay .. I think hay would ferment and mold ..

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Just for information purposes. Hay and straw mold when it gets wet. Go ahead, ask me how I know.