Straw and hay bales provide value for the homeowner who is landscaping or gardening. These materials are practical for a number of uses, from weed and erosion control, to protecting strawberries in the winter.
Bales of hay or straw are also an economic and environmentally-savvy choice for many applications. These bales are made from natural, non-toxic, renewable materials that are relatively inexpensive at $2 to $5 for most bales.
The tricky part is finding straw bales and hay bales, especially at the best prices. Those outside of garden centers or grocery stores will cost a premium. Luckily, you can find plenty of bales for your yard needs at cheap prices in most areas of the country, if you know where to look.
The first step to finding bales locally is to contact any businesses in your area that are related to agriculture. A quick check in the phone book’s yellow pages will help you find tractor dealers and farm supply stores as well as any farming cooperatives. Contact these businesses for leads as the owners and employees will likely have a good idea of where to find straw or hay bales at good prices.
Another option is checking out local advertisements in newspapers or posted in public places like road sides and restaurant bulletin boards. If any farmer has a surplus of hay and straw, he will likely advertise it locally.
Opening your computer browser and surfing the Internet is another way to connect to local sellers. Several online directories exist that allow users to search for listings and post wanted ads. Internet Hay Exchange and Straw Locator are two free websites that fit this category.
If all else fails, a call or visit to your local cooperative extension office may be your ticket to finding bales at great prices. These offices are funded by the government, and they provide resources on agriculture and gardening topics, along with an expert who often keeps up with the local agricultural scene. Many extension offices post listings for straw bales and hay bales. If yours doesn’t, just ask the agent if she knows of any good places to buy them.
