I’m not sure if the warmer temperatures yesterday were the main factor or if decomposition is afoot, but my straw bales are starting to heat up. Yesterday, I detected definite heat from the bales and one of the bales registered nearly 100 degrees F on the old meat thermometer I am using to check the temps. That was a good 30 degrees higher than the air temperature.
According to the straw-bale gardening instructions, it should be time to plant. It’s been more than 12 days since I started. However, I’m going to hold off a few more days. I think the bales are still conditioning. It’s also going to be chilly here for several days. More updates later!
My straw bales stopped heating up when I used the balanced fertilizer 10-10-10. Do you know the reason for that?
What’s the air temperature? The bales will cool down if the weather turns colder and they are not covered with a plastic tarp. Also, it could mean the conditioning period for the bales is complete and you can plant them. Dig a small hole in the bale and see if it’s looking decomposed. It may be ready to go.