Wheat Sprouts!

[tedln]

I recently posted the following photo to show what I am playing with in straw bale gardening. I've been treating the bales with high nitrogen fertilizer to expedite decomposition in the center of the bales. I am now suddenly getting a bonus crop of fresh wheat sprouts. The top of the bales looks like of one of those things you see advertised on television where herbs grow out of the top of a clay head when they are watered. I pulled a few of the sprouts to taste. They are really good.

I'm thinking about digging a 4' X 8' hole in the ground about 12" deep next year. I will fill the hole with straw bales leaving the bales sticking out of the ground about 6". They should have the general appearance of a raised bed garden. I would treat the bales with fertilizer and grow wheat sprouts all winter, planting some veggies in it in the spring. It's just a thought, but it sounds interesting.

I'll post a photo of my bonus crop when the bales are completely covered.

Ted

[soil]

i wonder how much wheat you would get out of it if you let it go to seed.

[tedln]

i wonder how much wheat you would get out of it if you let it go to seed.

I wouldn't expect good seed production because the sprouts are bunched too tightly. I think each plant would need a little more room to be productive.

Ted

[garden5]

Congratulations on your free sprouts, DDF. One of the great things about experiments is that sometimes you will discover things you would have never thought of.

One thing you could try is to bury your bales par ways and then layer some dirt on top of them as well. This would probably aid in decomposition and would allow the plants to get established in standard soil and then the roots would break through to the straw.

Maybe you could do a side-by-side test with half of the bed like this and the other half exposed and see which does better, but hey, it's your experiment .

Keep us updated.

[farmerlon]

... I've been treating the bales with high nitrogen fertilizer to expedite decomposition in the center of the bales. I am now suddenly getting a bonus crop of fresh wheat sprouts. ...

I am curious, what are you using for a "high nitrogen fertilizer"?

[tedln]

... I've been treating the bales with high nitrogen fertilizer to expedite decomposition in the center of the bales. I am now suddenly getting a bonus crop of fresh wheat sprouts. ...

I am curious, what are you using for a "high nitrogen fertilizer"?

I didn't tell the whole truth. It is recommended that you use an ammonium nitrate or sulphate at around 27% N with weekly applications for three weeks. I actually used inexpensive 13/13/13 with more frequent applications followed by soaking the bales with water. I wanted more minerals than the nitrate or sulfate provided.

Ted

[tedln]

Garden5,

I wouldn't classify this as an experiment because other people have done it before me. The only real question is "can I do it?". Many of my "experiments" actually educate me a little. Most however, only provide a good laugh when they totally flop. I've been a gardener for many years, but every year; I try to look at it as a beginner and allow myself to be surprised.

Ted

[farmerlon]

... I actually used inexpensive 13/13/13 with more frequent applications followed by soaking the bales with water. ...

Do you have any concerns about those Wheat Sprouts being excessively high in nitrates, and therefor being unhealthy to consume?
I suppose the high-carbon straw would "use up" a lot of that nitrogen.(?)

Personally, I would have second thoughts about consuming something that grew in the midst of "frequent" 13/13/13 applications ... but, maybe I take the whole "organic thing" a bit too far?

[tedln]

... I actually used inexpensive 13/13/13 with more frequent applications followed by soaking the bales with water. ...

Do you have any concerns about those Wheat Sprouts being excessively high in nitrates, and therefor being unhealthy to consume?
I suppose the high-carbon straw would "use up" a lot of that nitrogen.(?)

Personally, I would have second thoughts about consuming something that grew in the midst of "frequent" 13/13/13 applications ... but, maybe I take the whole "organic thing" a bit too far?

Nope! Not Worried. I haven't added any fertilizer in a week. I won't be adding any more. I think the straw has enough. I always pressure spray the fertilizer deep into the bales where it can do the most good aiding the decomposition of the straw. I'm sure some of the residue remains near the surface, but it doesn't concern me. I try to make things as organic as possible, but I'm not a purist about it. I know a lot of folks who will only use compost in their gardens, but they will speed up the compost by adding a lot of nitrate fertilizers to the compost pile. I know others who lecture their garden club about "growing organic" right after watering their garden with chlorinated, fluoridated tap water. I don't think you can take the "organic thing" too far. I just think everyone has to decide for themselves how far is "far enough".

Ted

[DoubleDogFarm]

Congratulations on your free sprouts, DDF. One of the great things about experiments is that sometimes you will discover things you would have never thought of.

Hello?


Eric

[tedln]

Congratulations on your free sprouts, DDF. One of the great things about experiments is that sometimes you will discover things you would have never thought of.

Hello?


Eric

It's okay Eric. She just thinks if the post is good, you must have posted it.

Ted

[DoubleDogFarm]

Ted,

It's okay Eric. She just thinks if the post is good, you must have posted it.

Ted

Now that's funny. or have I just been insulted. Hmm

Ted have you noticed any mycelium? I bought a bale of hay about two weeks ago. It's been on the ground, in the mud, out in the rain. When I cut the twine, it was hot inside and full of white threads.

Eric

[garden5]

DDF, Ted, sorry about that . I knew/know the difference between you two, but I was looking at Ted's avatar and for some reason "Double Dog" came to mind.

Both of you guys are great posters!

[tedln]

Eric,

Nope, no mycelium. The whole point of what I am doing is to get the decomposition and heat started in the center of the straw bales. You did say yours is a hay bale and I would imagine some difference exists between it and a straw bale. Fresh hay retains a lot of green in the center for a long time. Wheat straw doesn't have any green in it. I don't know what your intent was with your hay bale, but it isn't good for animal feed after it starts "spoiling". It would work well in your compost though.

Ted

[tedln]

DDF, Ted, sorry about that . I knew/know the difference between you two, but I was looking at Ted's avatar and for some reason "Double Dog" came to mind.

Both of you guys are great posters!

I was kidding garden5. My feelings don't get hurt and I bow to Eric. I love his garden and he lives a lot closer to nature than I do. Plus the dogs in my avatar have much prettier smiles than Erics dogs.

Ted