Straw Bale Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Vegetables and Herbs without any Digging

Straw Bale Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Vegetables and Herbs without any Digging

Looking to try straw bale gardening but not sure that it’s the right solution for you?

When I began looking into straw bale gardening, I had a lot of questions about the techniques used in this type of gardening. Would vegetables and herbs really grow in straw? Is straw bale gardening as easy as it sounds?
We usually think of gardening as planting seeds directly in the ground, then weeding them carefully all throughout the growing season. When we tell someone we’re about to start a garden, the likely response is “Wow, that’s a lot of work!”
I was fascinated by the idea that it might be possible to grow lots of vegetables at home, save money on groceries, and not do much work at all while meeting my goals, so I started growing things in straw bales. Some things grew well, while others did not. Along the way, I learned how to make simple straw bales produce a bumper crop of vegetables. If you’re interested in growing food but don’t want to waste time digging or weeding, this method is for you.

Learn how to turn humble straw bales, a little soil, and some tiny plants into an abundant garden that’s easy to care for.

Also, you’ll discover..

Which vegetables grow best in straw bales
Simple methods for dealing with common garden pests and plant diseases
Easy, step-by-step instructions for getting started

And much more!

Table of Contents

Why Use Bales? Ten Amazing Benefits of Gardening with Straw

Grow a garden just about anywhere, access your plants easily, conserve water, and enjoy other benefits with simple straw bales.

What to Grow? Try these Favorites

Discover the top vegetables to grow in straw bales, and learn about other plants that flourish in this growing medium.

Planning the Perfect Straw Bale Garden

Avoid pitfalls, set yourself up for success, and make your garden a great place to be.

Blood Meal, Coffee, and More: Recipes for Cooking your Straw Bales

Conditioning bales isn’t difficult, but following tried and true procedures ensures you get outstanding results.

Planting for Maximum Productivity

Choose the right plants for your zone, plan for weather anomalies, and fertilize the right way.

Maintain your Garden in Five Minutes per Day

Water, check your plants, and look after their health. A little attention each day ensures you expend very little effort.

Pest Control Made Simple

Garden pests don’t bother straw bale gardens the way they do traditional gardens, but they can sometimes cause problems. Here are simple solutions for dealing with them.

Treating Common Plant Problems the Easy Way

Common plant diseases can kill your plants. Knowing what to look for and dealing with problems immediately is the best way to avert a disaster.

Make the Most of Your Harvest

Some plants will keep producing if you harvest them attentively. Others should be harvested once, at the peak of production. These techniques help you get the most from your straw bale garden.

Get Ready for Next Year: Composting Simplified

Collapsing straw bales are a valuable resource. Learn how to make the most of them.