Thanks centexan. I've tried growing in them, and it just doesn't work for me. But my plan is to use this stocktank I bought, and was wanting to lift it up on bales. But I remembered that farmers stack these bales up to the ceilings in their barns and they don't collapse........so I think I'm okay for this summer. Plus.....I've been reading about straw bale houses!

Len oh my gosh!! I've read your blog before! By the way, great job! I actually designed our beds after yours, I'm so glad I've gotten to "meet" you! :) I used clippings from the yard and noticed horrid "hulk" ivy (that's our nickname for it) growing out between and under the bales... I had to take it all apart today and get that ivy out.. ugh! I think we're going to add some soil from the back yard just to help fill in the gardens.. We still have one more bed to fill and I'm tired of getting truck loads of manure. It's tough filling and unloading a truck bed with manure! Phew!

yep way to go, looks like the bloke is leveling and truing up?? can't see the point or purpose, just lay bales on the ground as straight as your eye can see, they will rot away generally within 12 months and those bales that rot away their space becomes path wee barrier. len Here is a link that might be useful: lens bale garden

Hi! This year I built raised beds. I lined them with cardboard and then a layer of straw. I put good garden soil on top of that, and planted seeds and transplants. My problem is that nothing is growing well. Everything sprouts, grows a bit, and that's it. I read up on straw bale gardening, to see what's up. I never did the 10 day thing with the ammonium nitrate and high nitrogen fertilizer... I'm worried the plants aren't growing because of this. Any suggestions? Is it too late to do something to the straw now? I'd heard straw was good for growing, but I didn't realized you needed to condition it first!