Straw bale gardening

Has anyone either heard or tried this? It's an American idea using straw bale as containers somehow "activating " them to decompose in the middle (I suspect this is by weeing on them) and planting straight into them. I can see the merits if it works but am somewhat sceptical.

 

I have heard of this.

You may find these links useful:-

Website: http://www.growandmake.com/straw_bale_garden

 

Thank you, that's exactly what I needed. I have a couple of straw bales arriving soon. I'll let you know how I get on.

 

That will be interesting, because I have straw bales but they are in use for my ducks; however, once it is spent, it is being dug into some beds and my veg beds. At the rate it is going, my veg beds are going to end up with a high ratio of straw


PS: Do note the advice that it needs to be wheat straw and not hay!

 

I have certainly hear of them for growing tomatoes.

 

I read many years ago, the advantage of them is that it is difficult to overwater the plants embedded in the bales. The roots get a great dose of water/nutrients and oxygen as the bales provide a great wet and dry cycle which helps the plants to grow vigorously. However, the cost of bales can be prohibitive.