Straw bales not composting...

by Sarah W.
(Nampa, ID)

Hi, I have had my bales for over a week, and haven't noticed any heat coming from them after soaking them. We have had a lot of rain which is not normal for our area, and unseasonably cool weather, so I wonder if I am able to go ahead and plant in them anyway, or if I should soak them again (though I can't imagine they didn't get wet enough) or if I should wait til they have started to dry completely before I plant? Thanks!


Doug says - good question. I've never had a bale that was properly watered, or even marginally well-watered, not begin to cook. So without knowing how much water you put on (try reaching into the middle of the bale as far as you can with the strings tied to feel) and getting a sense of the bale, no way I can answer.

Perhaps other readers have experienced this but not me. Sorry.