How to Create a Straw Bale Garden

Straw bales are a way to create an elevated garden almost anywhere, compensating for a lack of space, an aching back or other obstacles. You can put a couple of bales with herbs on a patio, or create a large layout and plant a variety of flowers and food crops. You can add soil to the bales especially if you're planting seeds, or put transplants directly into the decomposing bales.

Instructions

1. Find a spot that has no barriers to your getting to and from the area safely. Don't exclude concrete and other hard surface areas; you can put a bale garden almost anywhere. Check that the location gets at least six hours of sun per day.

2. Locate a garden center or farm that can supply you with the straw bales that you need. Depending on where you live and the time of year, medium bales of straw can cost $2 to $4 each.

3. Lay out the bales of straw in the configuration that works for you. Place the bales with the cut ends facing up.

4. Soak the bales daily for seven to 10 days in warm weather to get the decomposition process going. To test the readiness of your bales, insert your hand 3 to 5 inches deep, between the cut ends, and feel for slight warmth and wetness.

5. Use scissors or shears to trim a channel down the center of the top of the bale and place a mound of soil into the channel, the length of the bale. Alternatively, transplant directly into the bale. Spread open the cut ends of the straw and put the root ball into the bale.

6. Transplant herbs, vegetables, fruits or flowers. Water up to twice a day if necessary. The No-Dig Vegetable Garden website says a straw bale garden uses more water than a regular garden, and recommends a soaker hose system.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not attempt to move a bale that has been soaked with water; it will be heavy. Let the bale dry out before moving it.

References

• No Dig Vegetable Garden: Straw Bale Gardening
• Beginner-Gardening.com: Straw Bale Gardening