Alternatively, you can stack two bales on top of each other and add another layer perpendicular to the first layer. Next, use a sharp knife to cut away the straw in the area outlined by the string. Additionally, using hay instead of straw can lower the fire risk and increase the insulation quality of the bales, as hay has a higher water content and insulates better. For more information on accumulation of net wrap in the rumen see the article, Summary of Forage Binding Survey and Current Net Wrap Research. Poor baleage fermentation can lead to botulism. There's nothing wrong with gaining a little composting action from your fall decor. The inner wrap is usually made of a breathable plastic material, such as plastic sheeting or breathable shrink wrap. This allows the bale to remain intact while transferring it to another location. I can get the real deal for $10 a piece when I would basically be spending at least $20 at a craft store for the same effect. More Buying Choices $8.25 (37 new offers) Amazon's Choice FloraCraft Decorative Straw Bale 5 Inch x 6 Inch x 13 Inch Natural 4.2 (1,001) $1156 A hay bale is a perfect container for growing young plants seedlings. Decorating a bale of hay is a fun way to add a festive touch to the season. It has little nutritional value but provides bedding for animals like rabbits and chickens. Additionally, place a bunch of hay bales together, stack one on top of the other, and create a neatly arranged stack. Straw is a by-product of cereal grain harvesting, such as wheat, barley and oats, and is made up of the stems and stalks after the grain is removed. Fall is, of course, the most popular time of year for decorating with hay bales. This makes the soil more fertile, allowing it to better support the growth of plants. You can also drape a plaid blanket over your hay bales to add more texture and create a cozy fall feel. One ingenious idea is to cut the bale with a hacksaw and then use your hand as a lever to force it apart into individual flakes (sections that make up a bale). Current research being conducted at the Cottonwood Field Station is looking at the impact of net wrap accumulation in the rumen when hay is ground with net wrap. How to Keep Decorative Hay Bales From Falling Apart, How to Sue an Apartment Complex for Emotional Distress. WebThe best way to preserve hay bales for decorations is to cover them with a tarp or other waterproof covering to protect them from excess moisture and sunlight. On my farm, we bale around 2,000 small square hay bales each summer. It protects the building from many different catastrophic events. How to Decorate a Yard With Hay for Fall Season. Alternatively, you can store the bale indoors. How-ever, covering bales RELATED: 3 Essential Fall Lawn Maintenance Tasks. Using a tarp also Common insects found in hay include mites, thrips, beetles, caterpillars, and leafhoppers, as well as various species of worms. 3. South Dakota State University adheres to AA/EEO guidelines in offering educational programs and services. This allows the bale to remain intact while transferring it to another location. Depending on the type of straw bale you are using, you may also want to use a torch to lightly burn the straw around the edge of the hole, as this will help prevent potential burnout from the flame of a stove. We found it was easiest to use a sawing motion to cut the top off the pumpkin. By ensuring hay bales are stored in a cool, dry and dark area, these particular insects can be prevented from moving in and taking over. When hay bales get wet, they can lead to a variety of problems. She currently attends the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and is majoring in professional journalism and photography. Shortly after, a track hoe began loading the pile of hay on the road into a truck. 2. By following these steps, [], by unlimitedapartments on 7 hours ago - 0 Comments, Many people want to keep pets, but some rental properties dont allow them. Once secured, take remaining net wrap off of bale. Space adjacent rows at least 3 feet apart so water from one row doesnt run off onto another. If the strings are made of sisal or hemp twine, this is really key, as if the natural fiber is touching the soil it will likely decompose and break, allowing the bale to loose its compression and even fall apart. Other suggestions to making net wrap removal easy include facing your bales in a direction where the sun will hit it throughout the day, especially when they are unable to be under a roof. How to Introduce Cats in a Small Apartment, How to Move a Swing Set Without Taking It Apart, How Fleas Travel From One Apartment to Another, How to Change the Shower Head in an Apartment, How to Get a Water Softener For an Apartment. Stacking hay can help protect bales from water. Wet hay bales are also more prone to combusting if stored in high heat and humidity, which can lead to dangerous fires. 1. When dealing with small groups, I roll out a hay bale, put 3 or 4 hot wires in row lengthwise 1/3 to 1/4 bale length apart, and roll them up in order as hay is eaten. Go the extra mile this year and set a few straw bales together to form a planter in the garden. Be sure to use a vacuum cleaner or sweep the area thoroughly before putting them outside for the season. Dont stack hay higher than you can safely move itthis is especially important when stacking large round bales. Neglecting to meet this obligation can lead to dangerous conditions that can cause injuries. She had some grass hay delivered. I guess it isn't a big problem considering what I deal with each day. However, before we start breaking down how to efficiently unwrap that bale, lets discuss some of those advantages and disadvantages of using net wrap. If you decide to bale hay in large bales, wrap them with net wrap or plastic twine to reduce bale sag and help maintain bale shape. If you have a garden or landscaping area, you can use hay bales to fertilize your soil and provide a natural mulch for your plants. Taking these preventative steps can save ranchers and farmers money in the long run by ensuring that the hay bales they are storing and using are dry and safe. Once Thanksgiving has passed, recycle your straw into compost for the garden or bedding for Once the top one-third is three-fourths of the way removed, take the unraveled one-third and wrap it around the body of the bale. Remove rest of net wrap. If hay bales are wrapped in plastic or a tarp, they can potentially last up to a year, depending on weather conditions and what type of hay is stored. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. RELATED: Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist. 2. are the twines tight? A sloped top, created by pyramiding the final layers, sheds snow and rain better than a flat one. Or, use a fire-safe solar path light or exterior Christmas lights to add illumination and shadows along the path. Creating a creepy pathway to your house with a few rows of hay bales is easy and fun. Amundson offers this four-step process: 1. You can do a few things to make the process much easier. It protects the building from many different catastrophic events. Use strong, sturdy tarps free of holes or rips. RELATED: What is the No-Dig Gardening Method? A few squirts of paint can be enough to cover the hay, but youll need a couple layers to achieve an even coverage. Once you have that figured out, use a piece of string to outline the area of the bale you want to cut away. Hay is highly flammable, so you dont want it overhead if your main barn catches fire. When it comes to decorating your yard or front porch for the fall season, one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to spruce up the look is with hay bales. Common insects found in hay include cockroaches, grasshoppers, millipedes, beetles, moths, caterpillars, and weevils. Call 1.605.688.4792 or email [email protected], Receive the latest information from SDSU Extension. If you have a horse or livestock, make sure the hay you buy is free of mold and other contaminants that could be harmful to your animals. They come in all shapes and sizes, Wrap Them Up. But they can fall apart if not taken care of properly. Some kinds of beetles, such as the powder-post beetle, will eat the wood in hay bales and damaging them.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'remodelormove_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_16',158,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Other insects, such as mites, can cause problems for livestock if theyre present in hay bales. Alternate layers so that there is a clear overlap of roughly half a bale all around the stack. How Much Is Insurance On A 4 Plex Apartment? Different types of hay will contain different types of insects, but all hay is susceptible to insect infestation. In addition, hay bales can help to retain moisture, allowing your plants to access water more easily. Video: Building A New Farm Garden Shed (Pt. You can also make your hay stacks more decorative by using colorful twinkle lights. A couple of, PS: If you decide to recreate these hay bale fall decorations, share them on Instagram using, See how I transitioned these hay bales for, Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes with Cinnamon Chips, How to Host a Halloween Cookie Decorating Party for Kids . On a side note, how do you imitate the WebHere are three tips for handling and storing wet hay that I picked up from his piece: 1. Once secured, take remaining net wrap off of bale. Depending on the type of lights you want to use and the effect youre trying to achieve, there are a few different approaches. WebEarth-friendly, biodegradable straw is bound with durable, rust-resistant, galvanized wire that can easily be clipped to spread straw on plant beds and landscaping. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. Generally, mites, spiders, centipedes and pill bugs parasite on animals like mice, which may reside in the bales, and are beneficial for helping to control other pests. They go so well with pumpkins, squash, mums, dried corn stalks, and more, as shown in this photo. If youre looking for ways to add a bit of flair to your hay bales, consider adding lights. One of the biggest concerns with removing net wrap is that bales can easily fall apart when unwrapped. She currently attends the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and is majoring in professional journalism and photography. For a more rustic look, you can hang twigs and branches from your hay bales to create a unique look. Hay is grown to provide food for livestock such as horses, cows and pigs -- farmers are not keen on selling it as fall decor. We are here to help you find affordable apartments for all your needs. Feel free to contact Olivia Amundson or Adele Harty. Depending on how the bale is being fed changes the method of removing the net wrapping. Protect valuable hay from the elements by storing it under cover in a building that doesnt leak and has good ventilation. When you rake the straw away next spring, your grass will grow lush and green. Insects are extremely common in agricultural products, including hay. WebA bale typically has two layers of wrapping. If your hay is too dry to be used as mulch, wrap it in plastic to help keep it moist and prevent it from drying out. If storing small square bales, stack the bottom layer on their sides with the strings facing sideways instead of up. Hay bales can also be used for decoration for any season, such as for creating a snowman for the winter or animals for the summer. It will act as a backdrop for pumpkins, mums or other decorations that complement the bales color and shape. For starters, local craft stores sell decorative hay bales that are a quarter of the size for about $5 or so. Keeping decorative hay bales clean is an important part of keeping them safe and functional for your yard or garden. Take one end of the string and tie an overhand loop knot (Figure 1.2). Hay is a generic term for grass or legume plants that have been cut, dried and stored for use as animal feed, particularly for grazing species, such as cattle, equines, llamas, alpacas,goats and sheep. Re-bailed, cut too short, or left out too long and was too dry when it was bailed. Oh how I miss those Pampered Chef parties! Hay stacked on bare ground or concrete wicks moisture up through the bottom tiers, ruining the hay. The hay comes from Imperial Valley east of San Diego.This time of year it is very hot. Homeowners Insurance Four-plexes are an increasingly [], by unlimitedapartments on 6 hours ago - 0 Comments, Whether you are getting a new cat or kitten, or just trying to introduce your current kitty to a new one, it is important to take a lot of time and care. Depending on the occasion, there are several different ways to decorate bales of hay. If you cant store hay in a separate building, keep only small amounts in the barn at one time. Check tarps on a regular basis to make sure theyre securely tied down. Here are some Halloween decor tips from Terminix: 1. But be careful dont place a flame near standing water, as this can scald you and your family members. The primary key to keeping wrapped hay from spoiling is storing it in a dry place and away from direct sunlight. If the bale is being fed in the pasture or off the back of a hydra bed, ensure the bale doesnt come apart when traveling to the field. They come in all shapes and sizes, but their neutral beige-brown colors are easy to pair with other decorations. Ticks and weevils are more likely to infest the hay itself, and can be more of a nuisance. Depending on the type of plant, it should take approximately seven weeks before they are able to take root and begin to produce. I feed them in the morning. While theyre often used as animal feed, hay bales can also be strewn over your planting beds to protect them from harsh weather and pests in the winter. For about $5 to $10 you can pick up a bale of straw at your local hardware store or nursery. Will you be using hay in your fall decor. You might need four to five coats of paint to get a good, even coverage. This inner layer provides protection from moisture, rodents, and insects, while allowing the baled material to breath. This will add a natural element to your homes decor, and it can be decorated with leaves, flowers and other elements to match your theme. Proof that you dont have to live on a country road to decorate with hay bales, this urban container garden was made by flipping a small round straw bale on its side and hollowing out enough space in the center to hold a bunch of colorful flowers.