Growing toms in a straw bale

[jackyspratty]

I just got a book from the library regarding polytunnels. In a section on growing toms, the author recommends buying a straw bale, preferably wheat, and cutting holes in it. In the holes he puts bottomless florist buckets with toms in them.

Im just wondering if anyone has tried this as its new to me. I would have have thought this would be a bit pricey too? I'll search the section out if anyone is interested?

[organic]

Being new to all this I can't imagine why one would do such a thing.

I can picture the setup well enough but can't figure out why you might want to grow toms like that. What's the benefit?

[Bigmallly]

Here's a little read.

How to Grow Tomatoes in Straw Bales | eHow.com

[Patchninja]

There's an article in "The Garden" magazine about straw bale growing. Monsieur PN had half one, so I'm growing some flowers in it as an experiment.

[Flummery]

I always assumed you had to widdle in it regularly for the nitrogen? Not easy for those of a female persuasion!

[Patchninja]

Fortunately, not always - at least according to the article I read
If not, then it"ll be down to Monsieur PN

[organic]

I always assumed you had to widdle in it regularly for the nitrogen? Not easy for those of a female persuasion!

Shewee?






(added for message length)

[womble]

I think the idea was that it just gave the tomatoes a new medium to grow in, I don't think it's the best way of doing it.
But I'm happy to be proved wrong.

There has been a thread about it before, which may give you some pointers.
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...raw_18911.html

[piskieinboots]

Shewee?

Didn't he used to be the Chef on Crossroads?

[organic]

Never seen it - but I'm still laughing at the comment.

[squibbs]

Ohhh.. Miss Diane.

[FionaH]

Ohhh.. Miss Diane.

That was Benny doh

[jackyspratty]

Here's a little read.

How to Grow Tomatoes in Straw Bales | eHow.com

Thanks BM. my book, "Gardening Under Plastic" by Bernard Salt, says similar.

>3 weeks before planting get a straw bale, preferably wheat.
Chek its not been traeted with weed killer!
>Soak the bale with water and pour 5 litres of water over it every other day
>Feed the bale with a high nitrogen fertiliser twice a week
>make 2 holes in the bale large enough to take a root ball
>Put a pot in each hole or sit bottomless pots on the bale as cutting a hole is hard work
>Keep bale watered and feed after 1st truss is set

Note hat he bale may heat up, do not plant if it is too hot for the roots, ie over 30 C, measure with a thermometre if it feels warm.

I was interested as our poly (it may be crappy but its ours!) sits on concrete, so was wondering if this was worthwhile or not? But I don't know anyone who has tried it?

Intersting idea though!

[Maddie106]

I just got a book from the library regarding polytunnels. In a section on growing toms, the author recommends buying a straw bale, preferably wheat, and cutting holes in it. In the holes he puts bottomless florist buckets with toms in them.

Im just wondering if anyone has tried this as its new to me. I would have have thought this would be a bit pricey too? I'll search the section out if anyone is interested?

Many years ago when I was a young teacher, in the days when rural science and horticulture were on the curriculum, we grew toms this way in the school glasshouse.

The head of Dept was a farmers wife and the straw bales came free! We filled 3 holes per bale with well rotted sheep manure from the school sheep and grew moneymaker toms in florists buckets with the bottoms cut out, filled with JI No3 compost that we mixed at school.

We had a giant crop and the tomatoes tasted fantastic!( A mean feat for Moneymaker!)

Well worth a try if you can get your straw for free.

[Lovage]

I think it's well worth a try if you can get the small bales - round here it's all huge bales you could grow a tree in.
I'd be interested to here how you get on, watering might be an issue, but it's an issue with grow bags too.
At the end of the season you should have a bonus of composted straw.