Fertilizer for straw and plants
Since straw contains almost no nutrients, being nothing more than dry, woody material, the addition of fertilizer, especially nitrogen, is necessary. These nutrients are important not only for the plants, but also for the bacteria and fungi that gradually decompose the straw. This conditioning or preparation of the bales takes about three weeks. Only then will the nitrogen needs of the bacteria in the straw be met, the straw will have slightly rotted, and you can begin sowing or planting vegetables and herbs.
1.The straw bales are placed in rows in the vegetable garden. To prevent the paths between the bales from becoming muddy and slushy in wet weather, the soil can be covered with weed control fabric and covered with bark mulch. A drip hose connected to a faucet ensures a consistent water supply in the summer.
2.For fertilization, spread one cup of complete fertilizer per bale. The fertilizer must have a high nitrogen content.
3.It is important to water the straw so that the bacteria in the straw can process the fertilizer. This process is repeated several times during the first ten days: add half a cup of fertilizer to the bales every other day, and only water on the other days. During this rotting phase, the straw heats up to 40–50°C. If it rains during preparation, the bales should be covered with plastic film to prevent the nutrients from being washed out. In the third week, only water is applied, followed by another application of fertilizer, which benefits the plants. Mold or small fungi almost always appear on the surface of the straw bale during the conditioning phase. These are completely harmless and can simply be brushed off by hand if they cause problems. They are actually a good sign, as they show that the rotting process is underway inside the bale. After a while, they disappear on their own. They pose no danger to the plants or the gardener. Only people with severe allergies should exercise caution when handling the bales.
4.To give the plants or seedlings a good start, a layer of sowing or potting soil about 5 cm thick is placed on top of the straw.
5.Vegetables such as carrots, radishes, or lettuce are sown in rows or spread over the root ball and covered with a thin layer of potting soil. Then, water with a gentle spray from a hose or watering can.
6.Strawberries, lettuce, leaf lettuce, chard, tomatoes, peppers, and many other vegetables are planted directly. Use your fingers to create a hole in the straw and place the seedling into it. Then water it. Both seedlings and young plants will grow faster on straw bales than in garden soil, as the bacteria in the straw continue to work, generating heat. While the soil in the primary bed is still cool and moist, the temperature in the straw bale bed is several degrees Celsius higher.
7.Provided regular watering, virtually all vegetables and herbs will grow and thrive in straw. Only perennial varieties like artichokes and rhubarb, or perennial herbs like lovage, thyme, oregano, or lavender, are less suitable, as the straw decomposes after one season and is spread around the garden as valuable humus for soil improvement, as mulch, or to cover beds in winter.
