Straw bales - best use in the garden?

Tania · August 19, 2014

We got 20 large straw bales for free, they are still in a pretty good condition, just slightly moist from the recent rain.

What is the best use of them in the garden?

I know we can build straw bale beds (we probably will), although the idea of constantly applying fertilizers and water to these beds does not appeal to me very much.

We can use it to mulch potatoes.

We will add some to our new hugel beds that Stan is building.

What else?

Any ideas are very welcome!

P.S. As these bales came from people who purchased it for a large party, they have no idea if the bales may have any herbicide residue. So I am testing it first by mulching a pot with planted pepper seeds and another large pot with winter pea.

Thanks,
Tatiana

August 19, 2014	#1
Tania Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anmore, BC, Canada Posts: 3,970	Straw bales - best use in the garden? We got 20 large straw bales for free, they are still in a pretty good condition, just slightly moist from the recent rain. What is the best use of them in the garden? I know we can build straw bale beds (we probably will), although the idea of constantly applying fertilizers and water to these beds does not appeal to me very much. We can use it to mulch potatoes. We will add some to our new hugel beds that Stan is building. What else? Any ideas are very welcome! P.S. As these bales came from people who purchased it for a large party, they have no idea if the bales may have any herbicide residue. So I am testing it first by mulching a pot with planted pepper seeds and another large pot with winter pea. Thanks, Tatiana __________________ Tatiana's TOMATObase