Anyone else found out how easy and productive this method is? What a learning experience!
I like to fish and this method has given me the best of both vices. I have time to fish and garden. I never thought it would be possible.
Straw bales garden success
I don't know what you are talking about. Tell me about it.
Me, too--is this something akin to a no dig, plant in the strawbale thing? Curious minds want to know..
I found this website that talks about straw bale gardening. Seems like a really interesting technique.
http://www.carolinacountry.com/cgardens/thismonth/march06guide/straw.html
Meg
Fascinating: just might try it for next year's veggies!
Well, I thought for sure "Lasagna" gardening would be the way to go as I aged and could no longer dig, but this seems like a much better technique...! Plus it makes a great barrier around the garden for the bunnies--they can nibble on what hangs down, but won't get whats enclosed. Then, at the end of the season...just till the straw in. Thanks vaSandy for showing us this--I hope someone has done it, so you get feedback. Anyone?
There are several threads on strawbale gardening here on DG. If ya'll look in the Vegetable Forum you will probably see them, and each one has a link to the previous one.
They certainly seem to have some advantages but for me I opted out due to how much watering they require. (I"m a miser, ya know!) However, for those that have extremely terrible soil, don't want to augment/amend their soil, or who prefer 'container' gardening then perhaps you might like to give straw bales a try. (I bought a couple bales but just never got around to planting in them this year; maybe another year it will happen but, as I said, I'm just not sure I want to use so much water as they seem to require.)
Shoe.
Seems like fungus would be a problem trying to grow things on a bale. Sorry didn't read but that's my first thought.
I did try the hay gardening with lots of success. However, it does need frequent feeding like once a week, Osmokote, etc. Then feed it the 20-20-20 strength plant food. I have the most beautiful egg plants this year. The tomatoes and green peppers were a failure due to the intense heat this year. But cucumbers were wonderful. My son plants cabbage and collards in them as well. We have a small and very rootie back yard and the bales of hay is the answer for us.
Good luck all and yes, try it. I believe you will like it.