Hay bales this year...meh

Not thrilled this year with progress in growing veggies in hay bales.   I have 2 bales and I think curing them went fine...   Tried direct seeding lettuce with mixed results; also direct seeding a few cucumbers seeds.  I noticed several sprouts disappeared overnight - something's eating 'em.  One row of lettuce is growing but one row lost all the sprouts. I transplanted my dill and cilantro starts into the bales but they didn't last long.   Transplanted my little pepper plants but something has been eating those too so they will probably not make it.  It's also been pretty hot and dry.   I put in a couple store-bought basil plants and they are surviving but need water every day.