We get so many questions and email about growing cucumbers in straw bales that we finally decided it was time to dedicate an total article to this incredibly simple and easy method to grow an amazing amount of delicious cucumbers .
We first begin growing cucumbers in Bale way back in 2014 . That first crop was an experiment in our garden – and let ’s just say as far as tryout and experiment go , to this day it is still our favorite and most successful of all .
For us , growing cucumbers in wheat bales is just too easynotto do . Not only is planting them a straightaway and simple process , assert and harvest the crop are just as well-heeled as well !
Believe it or not, there is a straw bale underneath that mass of a cucumber plant. We are always amazed every year at just how well our cucumbers grow in straw bales!
There are so many advantages to turn cucumber vine in Basel . For starters , by promote your industrial plant in a straw Basel , weeds are of footling concern . That , of course , rid of the endless task of weeding . But even more , you never have to interest about competing pot stealing nutrients from your plants either .
But that is just the start of why grow cucumbers in stubble Basel makes so much sense . By being off the ground and raised , pest issuance are reduced as well . And those chores of lachrymation , fertilizing and harvesting ? Again , with the noble-minded craw , they could n’t be easier .
at last , as you will see below , the stalk and soil combination we apply works perfectly together to give cucumber plants everything they want – from great nutrients to perfect moisture and drainage .
Our cucumber plants in their straw bales early in the growing season. If you look in the background, you can see that we also grow our zucchini using the same method!
But one thing is for sure – we get a mickle of interrogative about the process ! Do you need to check the bales first ? How do you keep the stubble bale from disintegrate ? And where do you use the grease at ? All are great questions – and today ’s article will answer them all , and walk you through how to plant your own this year .
We do plant our stalk Bale a lot differently than many other methods you will find on the cyberspace . And for us , our method seems far easy and far less complicated .
But perhaps best of all , it has always been extremely productive . And we talk from experience – with now almost 10 years of grow with this method acting under our belt . With that in mind – countenance ’s take a feel at how to grow Cucumis sativus like crazy in wheat Bale !
Growing Cucumbers In Straw Bales – How It Works & How To Do It!
Straw bales are the perfect culture medium for acquire cucumbers . The tiptop of the bale reserve the plants to be off of the earth and out of scathe ’s elbow room . As the plant maturate , it also allow them a large surface to spread and tumble down over the bale .
This is particularly helpful for vining Cucumis sativus plant , giving them the outer space they need to sprawl and fly high . The advantage do n’t end there . Straw bales also obtain and keep back wet incredibly well . And if there is one matter that help to develop cucumbers successfully – it ’s adequate water supply .
When it rains or you water , the straw soak the moisture in cursorily to the roots . The same come when you apply liquid plant food to your plants in a straw Basel . It is suck up fast and expeditiously , take the nutrients aright where they are needed most , to the roots of the plant .
We cut out each planting hole in the bale, then fill with a powerful mix of soil.
have ’s start by covering the straw Basel and how we plant . We like planting in traditional rectangular wheat straw bales . On average , they are about 24 inches wide , 16 inches in high spirits and 48 inches long . Typically , they will have 3 strings around them , which we leave in place .
Unlike many others , we do not condition our bale prior to planting . In a nutshell , conditioning is the outgrowth of let the Basel to fall apart down and decompose a bit . If you were not going to use any soil when planting , conditioning is a estimable idea . But we use a bit of soil , and find it right smart more good – and much easier and faster too !
We plant three ( 3 ) plants per pale yellow bale . Before planting , we reduce three cakehole into the top of the bale . We space the planting holes evenly aside , usually off - do the middle plant a bit toward the back or front of the Basel to make a triangle like planting pattern .
To cut out the holes chop-chop , we either use a astute serrate garden knife or a reciprocating insure with a 12″ expression blade . We make each mess about ten inch deep , and six to eight inches wide in diam . Affiliate Link : Hori Hori Garden Knife With Serrated Edge
Next , we occupy the holes with our homemade potting soil mix . Our homemade mix is made from a portmanteau word of soil , compost , louse castings , perlite , and a bit of umber grounds and pulverized egg shells . Using a good soil intermixture that is full of nutrient is vital for winner . See our clause : The Perfect Homemade Potting Soil Recipe !
Whatever you use , ensure it ’s not just ordinary garden soil or top territory . The more nutrients your grime has , the beneficial . you could plant seeds or organ transplant at this dot , although we find oneself ejaculate easier . Once our plants are in , we complete by mulching the plant with a bite of the straw we removed from the bale .
Using 2×4’s, we build a simple crate to hold our bales intact. They are also great for attaching a trellis to as well.
By plant in this method acting , we never have to occupy about conditioning the bale . Even more , the combination of stain surrounded by husk is ideal for the origin of cucumber plant . The grime gives anatomical structure to the roots , while the surrounding straw helps hold moisture in extremely well .
We will get to how to feed and irrigate your cucumber craw in a here and now , but first , let ’s overlay one extra step we take with our straw bales to give them supererogatory living .
Although you may plant cucumber vine aright into a straw bale without any additional living needed , we append a homemade “ fence ” around our bales . We call these mere supports straw Basel crate and they serve a couple of very of import purposes .
Created from 2×4s , pallet woodwind instrument , or even scrap baseball bat , the crates not only make the Bale more attractive , but they also offer two vainglorious growing advantages .
First and foremost , they help to keep the bales intact all season long . Without it , the bales tend to molder and break down down over fourth dimension . As they do , the roots become escaped and display , causing the plants to dry out out way too cursorily .
In fact , by using the crates , we can usually get two years of rise out of each stubble bale . That alone pretend them more than worth the effort of make . Especially because you could utilize them year after year .
By creating a hole of soil in the bale, you can give plants the extra nutrients and protection they need to develop strong roots.
The crates also make an excellent medium for attaching a trellis or fence panel . That can be a Brobdingnagian advantage when grow vining cucumbers . Not only does it leave excellent support , it also makes harvesting a breeze with the yield growing at middle level .
The crate are prosperous to make by simply screwing together a few 2x4s around a bale . Even well , they last for age . In fact , we have been using the same crates for the last six geezerhood and they are still going strong .
Just as with cucumbers that get in gardens or raised beds , lachrymation and fertilizing your cucumbers in straw Bale is vital to their overall success .
Because they are raise in the bales , cucumber industrial plant in straw bales will dry out a little quicker than those planted in soil . peculiarly when the plant are young and there is n’t a mickle of foliage to help block the sun from drying the soil out .
We irrigate our chaff Basle plants every day for the first few week . In effect , treating them like a hanging basket or container plant . After that , once the leaf originate to get deep , they can often go a couple of days between watering .
One minuscule note to help with lacrimation – as your cucumber plant grow and spread , it can start to be unmanageable to see where the actual base of the plant is located . To aid , we stick a small wooden stakes right by the roots when we establish . As they farm dull and thick , the stake points the elbow room for where to water !
Growing in straw bales can help you to a big harvest!
In addition to full watering habits , it ’s vital to provide your cucumber plant with extra nutrients as the season work up . Although the nutrient fill up soil will avail to get works off to a great outset , your crop will need more energy as it grows .
After plant , we give our plants a weekly dose of compost or worm casting tea for the first 6 to 8 weeks . After that , we normally apply a loony toons every other week . you’re able to also use a skillful all function commercial-grade fluid fertilizer , but mix at one-half strength to apply every two hebdomad .
In gain , we add a quarter cupful of dirt ball castings around the base of each plant every few weeks . This one - two combining for a steady supply of nutrient is a huge key to a big harvest home . The works ’s roots take in the nutrient easy through the loose straw - dirt admixture and go to wreak quickly .
As always , with cucumbers , pick often . The more you pick the more flowers the flora will produce . If yield becomes too legion on the vines , it can slack the plant ’s power to acquire fresh blooms .
Here is to rise cucumbers in your garden this year – or wherever you want to – and to your best crop ever ! If you are looking for more data on growing cucumbers in a “ traditional ” garden , be sure to check outThe Big Secret To Planting Cucumbers – The good Way To Plant Cucumbers For A Big Harvest!Happy Gardening – Jim and Mary .
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening , DIY and recipe article and book of account for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm . The two are frequent verbalizer on all thing gardening and honey to travel in their spare sentence .
