Straw Bale Gardening

[bughunter99]

I continued my zone pushing efforts yesterday and planted more tomato plants, and a cuke. These plants went into straw bales. My theory is that elevation off the ground should provide some frost protect as well as the bit of heat provided by the decomposing bale (I hit it with blood meal a few weeks ago.)

I've never planted in these before, I have a feeling they will have higher watering needs than plants in the garden because our winds will dry them out. I'm also concerned that the added elevation will make them more vulnerable to wind damage, though I did plant them behind a screen from the predominant storm winds.

Anyway, its a new experiment that I'll post beginning pictures for as soon as I find my camera battery charger. I went this route this year because I have limited places to plant tomatoes due to all my trees. This is the best spot for it. I'm giving the soil a break this year by getting them up, off the soil.

The biggest problem I have with them so far is that they are really ugly. Since I am into edible landscaping this will need to be dealt with and I have a plan!

Stacy