Is the thought of preparing and planting an in-ground or raised bed garden becoming a little overwhelming this year? Is bending down to the ground getting a bit tough on the lower back these days? If yes, then elevating a small garden space may be the answer. The age-old practice of straw bale gardening brings the garden up off the ground, can reduce the overall space required for gardening, and provides many other advantages such as a solution to poor soil conditions.
Straw bale gardening can be maximized with minimal effort in the few easy steps below.
Getting Started
- Purchase of weed free straw bales
- Deciding on a placement location
- Conditioning of the straw bales (minimum 2 week process)
Start with quality straw bales that are free of weed seed and insects.
LayLa Burgess, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Allow for adequate conditioning time of the straw bales (s) and proper drainage.
LayLa Burgess, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Planting the Bale(s)
- Method 1- Flatbed planting across the top of the bale
- Method 2- Planting in holes (pockets or divots) within the bale
- Selecting the of type and number of plantings
Flatbed planting of bushbeans.
LayLa Burgess, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Mid-Season growth of bush beans.
LayLa Burgess, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Bush bean planted in straw bales provide an abundant harvest.
LayLa Burgess, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Straw Bale Maintenance
- Irrigation
- Fertilization
- Weed Control
- Insect Control
- Disease Control
- Recycling the straw bale(s)
Straw bale gardening is easily combined with raised bed or traditional in-ground gardening.
LayLa Burgess, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Interested in this alternative approach to gardening? Want to know more about how it is done?
For a detailed look at the step-by-step process involved in the above alternative for gardening, see HGIC 1264, Straw Bale Gardening.
