A neighbor of my mother's has an interesting new way to grow her lettuces, so we decided to give it a try. Take a hay bale and soak it with a soaker hose. Just leave the soaker hose on the bale and keep it moist. Then plant the lettuces in the top. It will work for mix or head lettuces, either one. We planted a flat of mixed greens. The best part is you can move it around if need be. Lettuces like sun, but not heat. As the summer progresses, you could move the bale to a place that gets morning sun only, so it will get the needed light but not the added heat. It should allow you to keep lettuces growing throughout the season. You can always get more growing from seed for later plantings. Personally, I like using cardboard egg cartons as seed starters: free and biodegradable!
Happy Gardening!
That is a great idea. How does she keep the hay bales from molding?
ReplyDeleteThis is a first test run, so I'll have to let you know. I would think the amount of sunlight they get would help keep them from molding, at least for the season.
DeleteGreat idea! I love being able to move it around. My only concern, living here in the Pacific North West is slugs. Slugs love hay. Maybe the flexibility of moving it would help. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteA little salt around the base, maybe? Let me know if you try it out.
DeleteI would think that the lettuce wouldn't be as healthy because it's not growing in mineral rich soil. Any thoughts about that?
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, hadn't thought of that. I am guessing it would have to leach some minerals from the hay or it wouldn't grow properly. Good question, unfortunately I don't have an answer. Will check into it.
DeleteHere's another post I found on them, that does indicate you need to add some compost to the top and/or hole you dig in to provided nutrients for the crops. Glad you asked. Will need to add a little this weekend. http://www.organic-raised-bed-gardening.com/2010/12/13/bale-planting/
DeleteLooks really interesting, what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking us out!
DeleteNeat idea! I love being able to move my garden around as the season goes on.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHey AMY MILLER,
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat idea! That big bale of hay, once it's used up, would make great mulch for another gardening project!
So true. Composting at it's best!
DeleteIntriguing idea for growing lettuce. I wonder if our barn manager would let me get away with that at the horse stables ... or would the horses try to eat the baby lettuce?
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You can bet they would eat it! LOL But it would be beautiful! Send me some pics if you try it, will you?
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