StrawBaleGardening

ChristopherSanchez

CityofAus:n

Parks&Recrea:onDepartment

ZilkerBotanicalGarden|

WildlifeAus:n|CommunityGardens

Ratherthanplan:nginthesoil,plantdirectlyintothebale.Benefits:•  Compacted,contaminated,or

lackofsoil•  Lessweeding,insects,

disease,watering,&resources(soil)tobuildbed

•  RaisedHeight

Credit:homegrown.org

Otherbenefits:•  ExtendedPlan:ngseason•  Producesheat-greatforgreenhouses•  Buildsfer:lity-nutrientrichmulch•  Easeofrootvegetableharvest

Straw,nothayCredit(L):hRp://www.honeybeesuite.com/tag/pollinator-garden/Credit(R):www.dreams:me.com

StrawishollowandcomesfromcerealgrainsHaycomesfromgrasses

Barley,Oats,Rye,&WheatCredit:hRps://en.wikipedia.org HistoricandModernUses:•  AnimalFeed•  Basketry-bee

skeps•  CraWs•  CornDollies•  ErosionControl•  Hats•  Packaging•  Paper•  Rope•  Shoes-Korea,

Germany•  Targets•  Thatching

•  Construc:onmaterial-bindclayandconcreteincob,strawbalehouses,compositelumber,Enviroboard,etc.

•  Biogas(AarhusUniversity,Denmark)&Biofuels(briqueRes)•  Biomass-mulch&biomasspowerplantsinEU•  Bedding-human&animal)•  Hor:culture-mulch,strawberries,protecttreesinJapan,pondstocontrolalgae,

mushroomcul:va:on,etc.

Materials:•  StrawBales(notsprayed)•  TwoT-postsperrow•  Wire&Twine•  Op:onal2”x6”xlength•  NitrogenSource

Credit(L):strawbalegardens.comCredit(R):modernfarmer.com

•  Arrangeinloca:onandsetinplaceforgood-baleswilltripleinweightoncewatered

•  Canplaceinaraisedbedoronpalletstofacilitateaccessand/orstability

•  Placebalesupsidedownwithcutsidefacingup

Credit:www.mirror.co.uk

Condi:oningyourbales:•  12-18dayprocess•  Intendedtobegin

decomposi:onofinternalstructure

•  Applyandworkinorganicnitrogenrichsourcesuchascoffeegrounds,aqua:cplants,compost,bloodmeal,etc.andwaterheavily

Readytoplantoncebelow100degreesFCredit(TL):preparednessmama.comCredit(TR):bonnieplants.comCredit(B):mynortherngarden.com

Credit(TL):www.feldoncentral.comCredit(BR):www.telegraph.co.ukCredit(TR):www.amazon.comCredit(BL):strawbalegardens.com

Credit(TR):www.pinterest.comCredit(BL):www.arlingtonartscenter.orgCredit(TL):www.urbangardensweb.com

Bibliography:hRp://texashomeandgarden.com/idea-center/garden/straw-bale-gardening-bounty-by-the-bale/Seeourar:cleintheStatesman:hRp://www.mystatesman.com/news/lifestyles/home-garden/home-maRers-plant-in-the-straw-bale-local-black-f/npPqb/VisitourStrawBaleGardenintheVegetableGardenatZilkerBotanicalGarden

Thankyou!

Ques:ons?

ChristopherSanchez512-477-8672xt.13

Chris.Sanchez@aus:ntexas.gov

CityofAus:nParks&Recrea:onDepartment

ZilkerBotanicalGarden|WildlifeAus:n|CommunityGardens