Anyone ever try "straw bale gardening"?

[Tarheel Tink]

I am giving it a try this year and just curious if anyone else had any luck with it?
You directly plant into a bale of straw eliminating the need for prepping a garden space. I found I needed more area than I had prepared so I'm giving it a whirl.
Anyone?

 

[PrincessMommyof2]

Never heard of it, let me know how it goes!

 

[Kahana-ri]

Never heard of it, but seems interesting. Let us know how it goes.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

How do you fertilize? I assume it'd be liquid fertilizer every time you water. At least you don't have to worry about drainage (a real concern around here these days!)

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Yep, liquid fertilizer now. To start the bales I used bloodmeal daily for 10 days on top of the bales and watered well- I have soaker hoses on top that water for 1 hour daily. The fertilizer recommended for the first part to get the bales "started" was one that can be used in making bombs and you have to fill out a form or something when you buy it!
After that you use a trowel to "part" the straw and just slip the plant in there with some soil. I'll let you know how it works out; so far everything is doing fine (tomatoes, cukes, jalapenos, cantelopes) and I have more to add to it. I'm going to loop some string for a sling effect from base of cukes and melons to top of fence behind them so they will climp up it and stay clean and disease free.
I hope it works but at the very least I can do lasagne-style garden next year over the composted straw!