Straw bale gardening

[PlotOfPossibilities]

Anyone tried Straw bale gardening? My other half is keen to try next year....I was hoping for some tips from you pros on this technique. Thanks in advance.

[mothhawk]

If you've got good ground I don't see the point. better to use the straw as a mulch.

check out Supersprout's use of straw.

https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ment_5573.html

[veggiechicken]

Can't remember anyone here growing in strawbales. Too expensive for me to try.!!

[Runtpuppy]

I've heard good things about it. It even sort-of-inspired me to try growing potatoes in grass clippings. However, I've never actually tried proper straw bale gardening.

[PlotOfPossibilities]

Interesting replies. I was reading an old (2015) article Bunny Guinness wrote about it. She said in the article that you can get straw bales for a £1 each, so it is much cheaper than compost or grow bags....but I can't find straw bales anywhere near that price. Might try just a couple of bales next year as an experiment and as we have only just taken on a very weedy allotment...it might mean we get a crop of something other than couch grass.

[Greenleaves]

We had A guy over the plots try it, ended up burning them as it provided a haven for rats

[ESBkevin]

Interesting replies. I was reading an old (2015) article Bunny Guinness wrote about it. She said in the article that you can get straw bales for a £1 each, so it is much cheaper than compost or grow bags....but I can't find straw bales anywhere near that price. Might try just a couple of bales next year as an experiment and as we have only just taken on a very weedy allotment...it might mean we get a crop of something other than couch grass.

You want old straw bales rather that new/this years harvest. They are more broken down, cheaper but potentially difficult to move or keep in shape. You might find farmers/stables willing to give them away in a few weeks once the barns are needed for the new inpomming harvest. When I bought my new/good bales the farmer gave me a couple that had sat on the ground wet for free and even let me go back with the car trailer for two loads of pig muck for free! It might have been Carols smiling face that did it, I don't often have that sort of luck.

[PlotOfPossibilities]

You want old straw bales rather that new/this years harvest. They are more broken down, cheaper but potentially difficult to move or keep in shape. You might find farmers/stables willing to give them away in a few weeks once the barns are needed for the new inpomming harvest. When I bought my new/good bales the farmer gave me a couple that had sat on the ground wet for free and even let me go back with the car trailer for two loads of pig muck for free! It might have been Carols smiling face that did it, I don't often have that sort of luck.

Great info - thank you.