Get Up And GROW.

The Three Veg Challenge.

I would love for everyone that possibly could to grow at least three different types of vegetables. It certainly couldn't hurt could it? With record numbers of people being forced to use food banks and ongoing uncertainty over Brexit it makes sense. So what’s stopping us? Time and the ease of going to the supermarkets I guess. But sowing a few seeds or planting a few cabbage plants really does not take up that much time. And they will taste so much better. Even if you have no soil you can use my very favourite method of strawbale gardening, which means you do not need soil, ever. I think councils could take a lead in this by turning some waste ground into community vegetable plots. Just look what they have achieved in Todmorden. A shining example of a community coming together. If maybe a few residents in one street or small area all grew veg then they could swap produce, thus getting a bigger selection. Children would love it. It would get them away from the computer and they would be learning a valuable life lesson.

Please share this to anyone who you think might benefit from having a grow.

Thanks Simon

Runner Beans.

White Emergo Organic

If you have never tried to grow runner beans, then make this the year to have a crack. When harvesting them your positive you have picked all the sizable specimens, then you turn over a big green leaf and find another handful. Great grown in a strawbale garden, or in a  conventional plot. You will be popular with the neighbours because there's usually plenty to go around. Use in soups, stews, stir fry's risotto's etc. Try making runner bean chutney. Don't be put off by the colour it is fabulous.  Try my choice for this year. White Emergo. A great organic variety. to purchase and get more info go to our seeds page.     Thanks Strawbale Simon.    

Strawbaleveg Seeds.

New vegetable seed packet design.

Our new range of seeds are due to start arriving this week. Our seeds are mostly all organic. Our packs though are a little different at no extra charge. You receive your seeds but, also in our packs we have put simple biodegradable seed/plant markers plus a pencil. Also a sheet with planting instructions. Also the sheets are going to start to have an increasing amount of information, such as. Companion plant information. Difficulty of growing guide. Recipes for that particular vegetable. And general hints to help you. We would love to hear from anyone with anything they think might be useful to other gardeners. And if we use it you will receive a strawbaleveg goody bag. We will steadily increase our range so keep an eye on our seed page.

Strawbale Gardening Moving Forward. 3.

When the strawbale comes off the bailing machine it obviously gets cut. This is the side we want to plant into. It is noticeably different from the uncut side. ( Correct side pictured). You will observe the Straw pointing upwards, making it ideal to plant or sow into.

Strawbale Gardening Moving Foward. 2.

Your strawbale is very precious, its the foundation on which you superb vegetables rely. When buying one, make sure the bailing twine is in good condition and not frayed, and is tight around the strawbale. Plan where you intend to sight your bale and get it in position BEFORE you begin the "maturing" process as it gets very heavy. Get as much sun on it as you can. If you have difficulty sourcing a bale please get in touch. Simon.

Strawbale Gardening Moving Forward. 1.

Strawbale Gardening is a fairly new concept in the UK. The no soil needed grow anywhere method is now catching on. Over the winter months I will be examining what I have learned, the mistakes I have made, (lots), and some new ideas I have been trying.

PHOTO CAROLYN REIGE. NEW MEXICO

In my next blog, we will start at the beginning, Where can I put my strawbale garden.

Strawbale Gardening Season Review.

Hello.

I have been busy experimenting with certain aspects of the method. There are a few things I think might help you.

1. You MUST soak the bale completely when you first start to mature the strawbale.

2. When growing potatoes cut the top twine.

3. Use the best quality compost to sow in you can afford.

4. Use the whole of the bale, think space.

I am experimenting with Strawbale Gardening under cover, and will keep you informed.

Like all forms of growing, strawbale gardening is a slave to mother nature and nothing in gardening is set in stone.

GOOD GROWING

Simon.

Support for your Straw Bale Garden.

Vegetables like tomato's, runner beans etc need support. Here I have erected a T POST support frame. It covers five straw bales so needs to be fairly strong. Polythene can be draped over the wires to help the tomatoes. Normal garden cane just is not strong enough if you are using more than one strawbale.   I go through all stages of Strawbale Gardening during my workshops. If your group or organisation would like more information on these please use the Get In Touch page. 

Strawbale Lettuce

Romaine lettuce in well "matured" straw. Thanks to Pete Darker for pictures.

Don't sow too many at once you don't want a glut. Rather sow every few weeks. Lettuce perform very well in straw bales. 

During Maturing.

Grass pushing through.

During your "maturing" process its normal to see grass coming up. This dies off when you plant and sow.

HOT HOT HOT.

This StrawBale is halfway through the "maturing" process. The surface will become much darker. Inside, the bale will heat up considerably, so its important to be patient and not plant or sow too early. You can use a soil thermometer, but a simple finger test should suffice.

Potatoes Love Strawbales.

ABOVE. I'm going to be planting Pink Fur Apple potatoes. This is a main crop potato with a distinctive pink skin and creamy waxy flesh. It has a lovely nutty flavour and is perfect for boiling or chipping. Eat hot or cold. They are delicious boiled, and eaten cold in a salad. Below. This is my StrawBale AFTER the "maturing" process. It is important that you get this process right. I have adapted this stage of StrawBale gardening for our UK climate. If you do not get this stage right it will seriously affect your growing. A full day to day explanation of what to do over the 14 days maturing e.g. what to add and when is given in my Instructional DVD.  Here's a great little tip. When you have completed the "maturing" process and are about to plant your seed potatoes. Cut off and remove the TOP bailing twine. see below. 

Potatoes Love Strawbales.

ABOVE. Make initial hole with a dibber. BELOW. Start pulling out straw.

Potatoes Love Strawbales.

ABOVE. Pull out a good amount of straw. BELOW. Widen hole with dibber.

Potatoes Love Strawbales.

ABOVE. You need a nice deep hole. BELOW. Some organic compost in hole.

Potatoes Love Strawbales.

ABOVE. Put the seed potato chit end up, in hole which should be 5 to 8" deep. BELOW. Back fill with a mixture of straw and compost.

Potatoes Love Strawbales.

ABOVE. That's almost it. BELOW. Just a little more composr.

Potatoes Love Strawbales.

ABOVE. Water in well. Below. Don't forget to label your StrawBale. Plant out March onwards. Harvest Sept/Oct. That's it, now we wait for a StrawBale packed full of quality potatoes. Don't over water during growing.

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Peas and the Carrot Gnome.

A good shot of peas growing, and the Carrot Gnome!! But I should have sown a few more in. Think space.