This gardening is fun! [View all]

Yeah, another straw bale post.
Second year fooling around with this method. Experimenting with high density planting along with combination planting.

Here’s an example.



Planted way more seeds than ever recommended on the package, second year doing this with butternut squash. Last year over 20 squashes from one bale. The vines cascade over the side of the bale leaving the top area available for different crops.



So we’re trying carrots. They are getting established under cover of the squash leaves as I’m encouraging the plants to cascade. All that requires is a simple push on the base of the squash plant toward the side of the bale, which is easy to manipulate. They will be exposed soon.

Another example.
This bale has ‘volunteer’ tomatoes that popped up in the compost pile. Have some idea of the strain only because of knowing what we grew. Could be Romas but more than likely Yellow pear. Little snacking tomatoes. We trying a green bean plant I the front and a lone zucchini tucked in between. It should cascade away from the tomatoes.



Better view of zucchini.




If this year is any kind of success we’re planning on expanding the straw bale area into better sunlight and growing more. Straw bales are an inexpensive way to have raised beds saving backs and knees on these old folks.