Comments for My Northern Garden

Comment on Insects Arriving Early by Amy (Get Busy Gardening)

Amy (Get Busy Gardening) — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:00:19 +0000

It seems that everything is early this year! (hopefully fall won’t follow suit). I spotted my first June bug in April (YUCK!). I also saw a lady bug in early May. Many of the birds and butterflies seem to have come back early this year too. What a weird spring, I keep having to remind myself it’s only mid-May!

Amy

Comment on Something is Growing in the Straw Bales by Mary Schier

Mary Schier — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:37:07 +0000

Beth — Glad things are moving along. I found that covering the bales with plastic does really fire up the decomposition. I’ve planted some zinnia seeds, a few tomatoes and potatoes in my bales. We’ll see how they do! The biggest advantage I’m seeing so far is that it’s tricky for the rabbits to get at the bales, so they are not bothering them. Good luck with your bales!

Comment on Something is Growing in the Straw Bales by Beth

Beth — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:04:21 +0000

Hello again I posted a few weeks ago and thought I would check back in. I finally resolved to cover my 8 straw bales in plastic to help heat them up. I left the plastic on for a little over a week and when I took it off it was steaming. I never had the chance to actually measure their temperature but everything I had read said it would take 10-14 days with the method I used. I didn’t plant them until close to 30 days and finally started planting them this week. I laughed when I read your post though! I had several bales that turned into chia pets with grass like wheat sprouts and when I removed the plastic I had one that looks just like your picture with the mushrooms. I was totally shocked! I will say the wheat sprouts died off with the plastic on them and the mushrooms died in a couples days. (I pulled a lot of them manually too). My boyfriend started seeds this year but they haven’t turned out very well, so, out of of the 4 bales that I have planted so far – 3 have been seeds. I planted lettuce, cucumbers, and green beans with seed. I planted 3 tomato starts in the 3rd. (not sure if that is to many! this is my first attempt) I want to start my peppers from starts so I will probably do that this week. Not sure what I will do with the remaining 3. herbs maybe? Good luck to you! I look forward to reading how it all turns out I will try and post pic’s of mine as they start sprouting. How exciting! lol

Comment on Yellow Tomato Jam by DawnK

DawnK — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:13:56 +0000

We made this, this past August. We are still enjoying it. Delicious and helped us use up some of our pear tomatoes!

Comment on How to Start Seeds Indoors by Michele Shaver

Michele Shaver — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:06:27 +0000

Hi Mary!! Did I read somewhere that you are from Lonsdale, MN? I live in Lonsdale and I was intrigued by your blog. I am not new to gardening but have always been a terrible gardener. I have recently stumbled on a “new” way of gardening and I am looking for clean hay. I loved your hay bale idea and want to try it. Just a few weeks ago, I was thinking of diminshing my garden now I want to convert most of my yard into one big garden!!! I have never been so excited about this!! I would love any tips you can give and if you are a fellow Lonsdalian, I woul dlove to meet you and see your garden. Michele

Comment on Something is Growing in the Straw Bales by commonweeder

commonweeder — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:59:54 +0000

I’m buying a straw bale today. I’ve had grass growing in some, but not mushrooms. I get mycelium growing in my wood chip mulch though.

Comment on New Straw Bale Garden by MamaBear

MamaBear — Mon, 07 May 2012 23:41:00 +0000

I found your blog doing a twitter hashtag search and excited to follow another mn straw bale garden! You are further along than i am though….no mushrooms for me yet. They’ll come eventually….this is my fourth garden using Joel’s techniques and a few i’ve of my own i’ve figured out over time. Best of luck and happy gardening!

Comment on Something is Growing in the Straw Bales by Bria

Bria — Sun, 06 May 2012 16:56:43 +0000

I’m excited to follow your adventures in hay bale gardening–I can’t believe the temp was up to 100 degrees. Wowsa!

Comment on New Straw Bale Garden by Ann

Ann — Fri, 04 May 2012 03:55:41 +0000

I went to a class on straw bale gardening about a month ago, and am very intrigued by it. Haven’t found any straw bales yet, but want to try it a.s.a.p.

Comment on How to Start Seeds Indoors by Hardening Off: Seedlings on Wheels | My Northern Garden

Hardening Off: Seedlings on Wheels | My Northern Garden — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:41:55 +0000

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