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@bjs06 I love my straw bale garden! And even more, your description as a "giant science project." I have been bale gardening for 10 years or so - ever since I had the opportunity to meet the inventor of the concept, Joel Karstens. This year I will be documenting "using your straw bales for a second year" as a lesson for our Master Gardener web site - will be heading out to plant the first plants on Friday.
I actually taught straw bale gardening as a science/life science/math/4H project to my 3 hone-schooled nephews last year - the 10 year old won a prize at the county fair for his report and photo display. It was so successful that their Dad converted most of his vegetable garden to bales this year.
Good luck with your raised gardens. That may be my next project, along the other side of the house, if I can convince my husband to move some in-my-way sprinkler heads (first I have to convince him that it's not the other way 'round - he thinks my plants are in the way of watering his grass...)
Just a comment - the bunnies don't like the bales & stay off - I think the straw pokes their feet, but I had to fence my old raised beds or they were all over them!
Happy gardening.
Sue
Replies to "@bjs06 I love my straw bale garden! And even more, your description as a "giant science..."
We would be using straw bales this year (such a wonderful experience - thanks to Joel Karstens) but it does take quite a bit of work at the beginning. Getting the bales, positioning/anchoring them, seasoning them for 10 days, getting the trellises set up, setting up the timed drip watering hoses, etc., but after that (:-))...you just mainly enjoy watching it grow. I suppose any garden takes a lot of work at the beginning? We always used fabric/plastic so we wouldn't have to weed before...that always took time.
My hubby was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and had surgery in April so he can't lift more than 10 lbs for a while longer. Our gardening plans have changed drastically. We start the appointments with the Chemo doctors in June. Our kids will be helping to build the raised bed garden. The therapy we both get from gardening will be well worth it, I'm sure. I'll be keeping my eyes on my naughty bunnies! Nothing like gardening to focus on God's beautiful earth amid all this Covid-19 and cancer stuff!
Loved hearing how you taught your nephews this method & winning a prize! My 9 year old grandson has been so fascinated by our straw bale gardens...this year he's going to help us with the build & plant the raised beds ♡ Can't wait!
Happy gardening everyone!
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@sueinmn I can visualize a bale garden, but could you give me a basic lesson?
Jim