Straw Bale Gardening

[MaryN]

Has anyone on the Forum tried straw bale gardening? That is, growing crops directly onto/in straw bales. I read an article on it recently and it piqued my interest. Living as I do in East Anglia, I do have a problem in the Summer if conditions get a bit too hot and dry. The soil here is very fertile, but it is light and easily dries out. We fight a battle every year trying to prevent the pasture from cracking up in even modest heat.

I quite fancy trying to grow crops like tomatoes, peppers, cukes and suchlike in bales or part bales - I reckon the bulk of the bale would provide a bit more moisture.

So has anyone tried it, and do you have any recommendations?

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And of course there is the possibility that the decaying straw bale will provide a nice source of compost.