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If you want to build a raised bed, straw bales are a great alternative, too. First, let’s talk about what is straw? It’s NOT hay!

What is Straw?

Straw is the dry hollow stalks left from cereal stalks like wheat and barley. It has so many uses. It makes a great mulch. (See our article about mulching with straw.) It can be used to grow potatoes and mushrooms, keep ponds clear, and makes instant planters, as we’ll show you.

Straw bales will eventually decompose like any organic material, but they’ll decompose much slower because the outsides are less insulated than the center. What you’re left is a shell filled with the beginning of a compost pile—the perfect planter! 

Benefits of Straw Bale Gardening

The straw bale gardening method was pioneered by Joel Karsten. Straw bales used as planters have several advantages:

1. As straw rots, it releases nutrients, feeding the plants growing in it.
2. The bales raise the planting area so less bending and back pain.
3. It saves buying loads of compost!
4. They reduce the incidence of pests, diseases, and weeds. The bales are quite tall so you rarely have slugs or any insect issues.
5. You won’t have to water extra. Straw bales dry out slower in hot sunny weather due to their sheer size so it helps in high heat. The inside of the straw bale remains damper.
6. A raised bale planter also means it’s easier to harvest!

Where to Find Straw Bales

You can source straw bales from nearby farms, garden centers, DIY stores, etc. Or, try looking online. Organic bales are harder to find. You’d need to find bales from organic farms or ensure they’re marked organic. Avoid any that have been treated with herbicides.

Once home, put your bales on hard ground, grass or paving or store in a greenhouse.  
Ensure the twine runs along the sides. The cut ends should face up for easier watering.

What Kind of Fertilizer to Use

To get started, you will need 1. water and a 2. quick-release high nitrogen fertilizer. For fertilizer, you could use:

• Ammonium sulfate
• A soluble lawn fertilizer
• Blood meal as an organic alternative

Straw Bale Gardening Conditioning Chart  

Bales need a little conditioning before planting.  You’re starting off the composting process.  It’s not complicated but there is a two-week upfront process. If you’re using organic fertilizers, you’ll need to wait an extra week as the composting takes longer.

Day 1: Sprinkle 1 cup of fertilizer evenly on top of bales. Water in with 1 gallon of water. Let it soak. 
Day 2: Soak bales with another gallon of water. No fertilizer.
Day 3 and 5: Repeat 1 cup fertilizer and 1 gallon water. 
Day 4 and 6: Water only. 
Day 7, 8, 9: Just half a cup of fertilizer, water as usual. 
Day 10: One cup of traditional “balanced fertilizer” (equal parts N-P-K such as 10-10-10). 
During this time, temperature inside the bales will increase (up to 100 degrees F), then cool back down. 
Day 11 and 12: Check that bales are moist.

Which Plants to Grow In Straw Bales

You can grow most anything, from leafy greens to beans to onions.

But straw bale planters are most often used for warm-season crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and zucchini.

It’s probably best to avoid root crops as they can be challenging and corn which gets top-heavy.

How to Plant in Straw Bales

Large seeds like runner beans can just be pushed into the moist straw.

For smaller seeds, top the straw bale with an inch of potting mix and sow into that.

For warm-season crops, start them off in pots. Then plant by pulling out enough straw to fit in the root balls. Firm them in place. Make sure there’s enough contact between roots and straw, then thoroughly water.

Tips for Straw Bale Gardening

• Don’t cram in plants. Plant at correct spacing for airflow and light.
• Including supports for climbing vegetables such as cucumbers.
• Keep crops moist with regular watering.
• Feed with a regular plant or tomato fertilizer.
• Keep picking to keep the harvest coming!
• At the end of the season, you can use the straw in compost or as mulch next season.

See the video to truly understand how to plant in straw bales.

Interested in planning your garden now? See our online Garden Planner!