Al's - Question - Straw

11 years ago

Hi all :)

So I posted my first question over in Florida section, and was sent over here to have a look at Al's mix. I've searched high, and low, through many of the threads on Al's mix, but I haven't found the answer to my question. I don't mind sounding silly, so here goes....

Why can't I just use straw?

My original plan included straw (well, coarse long stem hay) in very large planters for my fall tomato crop. We've used hay in the past in double pots and it seems to drain pretty well (I haven't asked the tomatoes). I've heard much of the good aeration provided by straw bale gardening. Most of all, I have an endless source and I'd like to re-use it!

The planters will be made from pallets, so lots of slats providing air. After reading the wicking thread, I thought, if a toothpick works to wick moisture, then what about aligning the lowest layer of hay vertically, so it's a bunch of upright straws pulling water down. Wouldn't that help with the water level initial thing I was going to remember and sound clever in this thread with but have forgotten (ha!) ?

Don't doubt my hay, it's straw-like. The one thing I did see mentioned about straw use was high cellulose stealing nitrogen. I have a horse who poops everyday and only eats the aforementioned hay and alfalfa and grain-free supplements. Straight poo. So can't I make up for it with poo?

Thanks!

Rebecca *who dreams of a straw and poo garden* ;)

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Comments (3)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
11 years ago
Container media are about structure and how well structure is maintained. The problems you'd need to get around are the immense populations of cellulose munching biotic populations and the "soil" collapse that is certain to follow their gluttonous binging. Fresh manure is very hot, salty, and breaks down even faster than the hay. I imagine the number of seeds in the hay would also be something to deal with. No harm in trying, but I don't think I'd put all my eggs in that particular basket.

Al
Rebecca Bear thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
Rebecca Bear
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Al, thanks so much for replying :) forum wouldn't let me submit a reply yesterday, some error it said.

I only expected it to last one season as is typical with straw. Are you thinking it won't last that long maintaining good aeration?

Why would manure have salts? Correct me if you know more, I just thought that kidneys extract salt and it is passed in urine.... my horse poo is pure horse poo ;) I have read up on most of the gazillion horse manure threads on these forums, but I am a little frustrated on the manure subject because most of the knowledgeable folks lump all horse manure together as a singular product.... when really it's a result of what goes in. Of course I do agree it is hot and decomposes and surely has gazillions of bacteria, since I go to all the extra trouble to buy variety probiotic supplements and prebiotics and all that stuff.

Well anyway, sorry for the poo tour... we decided on one extra large planter 8 ft long by 4 ft wide and 4 ft deep for several tomatoes. Using bark mix just around the plants themselves. I'm also thinking to build in a suspension layer of 1 inch web green plastic mesh, which we have, to keep the hay from compacting under the tomato weight as quickly. Provided it works well it will be ever so much cheaper than filling the planter with bark :) I will post how it goes! And if my project looks good we may snap a picture to post... if not we will just pretend!
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
11 years ago
Do let us know how you're progressing.

A horse

s stomach produces a LOT of acid. The product of a base + acid reaction is a salt, so horse manure would have a high EC/TDS, which is probably why there are so many cautions against using it in volume - especially on soils that drain poorly. It's primary attribute is its ability to supply a slow release form of N when used efficiently on mineral soils, but N for container applications is easily sourced in forms that don't create or contributes to structural problems. As mentioned, my focus is on the medias' structure, rather than its ability to provide nutrition.

I hope your project is a success. Best luck.

Al
Rebecca Bear thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)