This is our first experience with straw bale gardening. The advantages are obvious: Beds are about 18” high, so we don’t need to bend over as far. And in areas of bedrock, straw bales can not only grow plants within the straw itself, but can be set up to create a framework around a deep well of soil for root vegetables.

Straw bales take preparation for them to become viable growing material. For ten days prior to planting within the straw, we added blood meal for nitrogen, and watered deeply and daily to help break down the straw. Only then was the straw soft and flexible enough for us to dig holes into the straw to receive plant starts.

We found that YouTube videos don’t reveal how difficult making holes in straw bales can be. First we tried a standard hand trowel, but that didn’t break through the straw. Ultimately, after several trials with different techniques and tools (including a drywall saw), we were able to tease apart the straw fibers using a very sharp hori knife. It was a surprisingly arduous task, but the benefits proved worth the trouble.

We planted potatoes in the well of soil on May 7.

May 23: The first of the brassicas went into soil-filled holes within the actual bales, and covered with a loose layer of straw to help retain moisture.

May 28: Potato plants started peeking up through the straw covering

June 3: We planted the remaining brassicas, along with kale, basil and chard

June 18: All the plantings are healthy, and now our challenge is to keep potato vines contained, to allow for sunlight to reach the perimeter plantings.

June 24: Potatoes are flowering! At this point, we could pull up a plant or two for baby potatoes. But we’ll let them grow instead.