Summary: Actual Conditioning Schedule and costs for 2015

Here is a summery table of the fertilizing schedule for the straw bales this year. I used pellet fertilizer. After each application I watered in the pellets with the spray nozzle set to "jet", then ran the drip hose for 1-3 hours. On non-fertilizing days I just ran the drip hose for 1-3 hours. Ideally one should fertilize the bales every other day, but because of life, sometimes there was more than one day between applications.   Day Fertilizer Amount 1 30-0-3 0.5 cup/bale 2 water only 3 water only 4 water only 5 30-0-3 0.5 cup/bale 6 water only 7 30-0-3 0.5 cup/bale 8 water only 9 30-0-3 0.25 cup/bale 10 water only 11 30-0-3 0.25 cup/bale 12 water only 13 water only 14 6-10-10 (or 9-12-12) 1.0 cup/bale Notes: Most websites/blogs/videos about straw bale gardens report that the straw bales "hot compost" during conditioning. They heat up to 120 F or higher during this time. They also warn that the bales could catch on fire if not kept wet, and tell you not to plant until the conditioning phase is over and the bales have cooled. I did not experience the bales heating up anywhere close to this temperature. On the last day of conditioning I was able to detect a little warmth (maybe) on the inside of a bale with my hand, but I would guess it was still under 80 F. The reason for this may have been my erratic fertilizing schedule, or the cool weather combined with the fact the bales are not in full sun. I do not think that it will matter in the long run, as long as the nutrients are added to the bales the microbes will decompose the straw and the plants will have plenty of food. Costs: $ $5 per bale x 11 (I got 1 bale free)  55 Lawn fertilizer 30-0-3 8 Plant food (tomato and general)  8 Soaker hose  9 Seeds 35 Plant sale 5 Total 120