I have successfully used straw bale gardening in upstate NY for the past 7-8 years. We are in danger of frost right up until Memorial day & as early as late August. I am able to start lettuces, chard, other cool weather crops as early as mid to late April as soon as the bails are processed. They really do heat up well. Tomato plants, summer & winter squashes are prolific, although they generally require staking & securing to my fence posts as bales do decompose before the season is over.My husband built a frame for my pole beans& I have invested in a large trellis for winter squash to keep them off the ground. The composted bales at the end of the season are black gold for the next year. Any # of bales can be used on any surface. Highly recommend. Joel's book is highly informative. Only thing I cannot do successfully is fall planted garlic, they freeze over the winter
I have successfully used straw bale gardening in upstate NY for the past 7-8 years. We are in danger of frost right up until Memorial day & as early as late August. I am able to start lettuces, chard, other cool weather crops as early as mid to late April as soon as the bails are processed. They really do heat up well. Tomato plants, summer & winter squashes are prolific, although they generally require staking & securing to my fence posts as bales do decompose before the season is over.My husband built a frame for my pole beans& I have invested in a large trellis for winter squash to keep them off the ground. The composted bales at the end of the season are black gold for the next year. Any # of bales can be used on any surface. Highly recommend. Joel's book is highly informative. Only thing I cannot do successfully is fall planted garlic, they freeze over the winter