Straw Bale Gardens: The Breakthrough Method for Growing Vegetables Anywhere, Earlier and with No Weeding

by Joel Karsten

You’ll find a bumper crop of vegetable gardening books on the shelves today, but it is a very rare title that actually contains new information. Straw Bale Gardens teaches gardening in a way that isn’t only new but is thoroughly innovative and revolutionary to home gardening. It solves every impediment today’s home gardeners face: bad soil, weeds, a short growing season, watering problems, limited garden space, and even physical difficulty working at ground level. Developed and pioneered by author and garden expert Joel Karsten, straw bale gardens create their own growing medium and heat source so you can get an earlier start. It couldn’t be simpler or more effective: all you need is a few bales of straw, some fertilizer, and some seeds or plants, and you can create a weedless vegetable garden anywhere—even in your driveway. Karsten’s step-by-step guide offers all the information you need to make your own straw bale garden today. In this lushly photographed volume, Karsten shares all of the secrets he has developed over years of teaching eager students the miracle of straw bale gardening. You’ll learn how to locate and choose straw bales, then how to condition and plant them for the earliest possible start. You’ll master Karsten’s methods for combating plant pests and maximizing space by applying the principles of vertical gardening to his straw bales. Whether it’s seedlings or seeds, veggies or flowers, there is practically no limit to the plant varieties that will prosper in a straw bale garden—and with Karsten’s breakthrough gardening guide, you can do it all yourself.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Food, Reference, Nature

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Denny Veggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book with lots of good pictures and awesome illustrations. Answered every question I had about the process. I am getting too old to do all the work in my regular soil garden anymore, and this seems to be a great way to garden without so much work. Great charts and plant specific information as well in this book. Some parts also made me laugh a little, so it was fun to read. They shipped it earlier than they said they would too, so that is good since I want to get started soon.

[Alexandria Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides complete step by step guidance, including great photographic illustrations and all equipment needed, for growing a garden using rectangular straw bales. The basic idea is that while the bale is held together by the twine on the outside, fertilizer is added to the center of the bale causing the straw to compost into perfect medium for the plant roots. This in effect creates a raised bed which is clean and weed free (for this reason it is important to use straw bales and not hay which would have grass seeds in it). The bales are positioned to catch maximum sun and with soaker hoses and trellises to water and support the plants. At the end of the growing season, the bales themselves are composted.

The author is a degreed horticulturist who has experimented with many methods. He appears to have developed a very nice system which will work well for people who have poor soil, location issues, lack of soil, difficulty bending or plowing, etc. The book is easy to read and practical. It includes lists of all materials needed and where to find them, and then illustrates how to use the materials. There are step by step instructions for how to install soaker hoses and how to build trellises. Later chapters also include suggested plant layout and garden designs for planning gardens meeting specific size requirements or to feed x numbers of people. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate the required rectangular straw bales in my near vicinity this spring! So, after getting all inspired and making the decision to try it, I was unable to put his guidance to the test this year. I still think it's a great idea, however. The system looks very good and I will attempt it at a future time (if I can ever find the required square bales)!

[Sars · Rating 5 out of 5]

We just began our first straw bale garden and I am finding this book an invaluable resource. The information is straightforward and easy to follow and there are some great touches of humour through the text.

[Grace]

Interesting concept, very straightforward. if I can find some straw bales in the next couple of months I will likely get some and save them to try this for next spring.

[Melissa Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year I tried container gardening for tomatoes, basil, and jalapeños in Colorado. Everything started producing just before we had a 60 degree temperature drop. My mom had a huge garden growing up with a tiller and a composter. I just want tomatoes that taste good. So I picked up this book, read it in under an hour, made a list of necessary supplies and now I'm waiting for spring to arrive.

"You’ll find a bumper crop of vegetable gardening books on the shelves today, but it is a very rare title that actually contains new information. Straw Bale Gardens teaches gardening in a way that isn’t only new but is thoroughly innovative and revolutionary to home gardening. It solves every impediment today’s home gardeners face: bad soil, weeds, a short growing season, watering problems, limited garden space, and even physical difficulty working at ground level. Developed and pioneered by author and garden expert Joel Karsten, straw bale gardens create their own growing medium and heat source so you can get an earlier start. It couldn’t be simpler or more effective: all you need is a few bales of straw, some fertilizer, and some seeds or plants, and you can create a weedless vegetable garden anywhere—even in your driveway. Karsten’s step-by-step guide offers all the information you need to make your own straw bale garden today. In this lushly photographed volume, Karsten shares all of the secrets he has developed over years of teaching eager students the miracle of straw bale gardening. You’ll learn how to locate and choose straw bales, then how to condition and plant them for the earliest possible start. You’ll master Karsten’s methods for combating plant pests and maximizing space by applying the principles of vertical gardening to his straw bales."

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read a newspaper article about a woman in Tacoma who had a straw bale garden. It intrigued me, hence my interest in the book. Well, if Joel Karsten is the preacher he has nigh onto converted me to straw bale gardening. His enthusiasm rings from every page and his instructions are clear and well-organized. Does he repeat himself? Yes, and sometimes more than once. However, you can almost feel him standing by your side and you know he'd be saying those things more than once in person as well. The book is highly readable. I found it hard to put it down. With a hand on your shoulder the author walks the novice through planning, preparing, cultivating, and finally composting a straw bale garden. Oh, and let's not forget the information on preserving the fruits of your labors. Heck, for the quick and inexpensive tomato cage and compost cage instructions alone the book was worth the price of admission. (OK, granted, I got it free, but you get my drift.) Our school is planning on starting a school garden and I've been thinking of the inherent problems with starting a garden just as school is letting out. Who will weed, and water? And stripping grass up and getting unprepared ground ready is such a pain. I've already sent out an email to the staff suggesting we do a straw bale garden experiment. Our students are poor, and have little in the way of garden space, but I think this could easily be something they could do at home, once they know the basics, using whatever spot they have available in their small yards. Hey, I'll bet there's a grant out there! Gotta start looking... Oh, and I've got to figure out where to get straw bales. Yes, this book got me all fired up. If you want to try something new you'll find this book to be an excellent guide, and it would be a fun gift for a friend who gardens.

[Garry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/15/2015

[La Crosse County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally published August 2013

I know this isn’t the typical time of year that you think of doing your garden, but we just got in a new book that is really making me think about how I am going to do my garden next year. The title of the book is Straw Bale Gardens: The Breakthrough Method for Growing Vegetables Anywhere, Earlier and With No Weeding by Joel Karsten.

Just the title alone has to catch your eye…NO WEEDING???

This book explains how if you plant your vegetables, or even flowers, in a straw bale, you will not have any weeds, and they will actually grow faster than in normal garden soil. The early ripening is due to the early season warmth generated by the conditioning process inside the bale. Onions and other root crops require a loose and “airy” soil, which is exactly what the inside of a straw bale provides. Strawberry transplants will cover the entire surface and sides of the bales by early spring and will produce berries very quickly. And because the berries are up off the ground, they will be nice and clean and not dirt-covered.

One of the great advantages of using these straw bales is of course the fact that your garden will be up off the ground, making it a lot easier to pick because you don’t have to get down on your knees. You can even stack two bales on top of each other if you want to make it even higher, making it easier on your back.

You also are able to save on water with this method because the straw holds moisture better than dirt, and you can just lay a soaker hose on top of the bale, which is actually better for the plants than a sprinkler system anyway. And again, no tilling or cultivating is needed and the weeds won’t overtake your garden.

You should put your bales someplace where they can get the most sunlight…6-8 hours minimum…full-sun exposure is the best. Lay the bales down, strings on the sides, with the “cut” side of the straw facing up. This way will hold the most moisture. Start watering the bales a good couple of weeks before you actually start to plant anything in them because the bale needs to start “cooking” first.

This book has a lot of wonderful pictures showing how you can mix flowers and vegetables to have a very “productive” and “beautiful” straw bale garden.

It’s never too early to start thinking of your next spring’s garden….especially if you want to try something different. And you can buy your straw from a local farmer yet this fall, so you are all ready when spring comes around!

This is just one of many gardening books that we have in the library. Stop in to your local La Crosse County Library in Bangor, Campbell, Holmen, Onalaska, or West Salem, and check out our gardening section! Or visit us online at www.lacrossecountylibrary.org.

Find this book and other titles within our catalog.

[Heidi Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live in an apartment but hope to garden again someday. I’m spending time reading up on gardening practices and this book was recommended. It’s a very informative and easy read, and while the notion of growing plants in straw bales seems rather novel, the author’s simple explanation, personal education/credibility, experience and practical how-to guidance soon make it apparent how possible and even ideal this method can be. There are many relevant instructional photos, helpful illustrations and tables summarizing key info. It’s got elements of a good but simple text book combined with a conversational tone, from someone with obvious enthusiasm and experience helping people, teaching and problem solving. I feel very confident that when the time comes, I’ll be able to start a straw bed garden with ease. My only small critique is that some elements - like assembling watering systems - could have used more pictures and detailed step by step (like for the compost bin and “balemaker3000”, which were very clear). Overall a very helpful and easy read that I’ll refer to again.

[Rebecca_atx · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very interesting and helpful in it’s explanations, though i won’t be able to test out the methods for another 5 months. While reading, i kept going back and forth about whether or not to even try because of cost. This fall i bought straw for mulch (from a local feed store) and each bale cost $11. That’s double the suggested price in the book. I don’t want to use plastic coverings and plan to modify for a more permaculture and budget-friendly method. The cost of fertilizers and posts will add up too, so I’m not sure if it is as accessible to everyone as the book suggests.

[Helen K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, succinct and in-depth walk through on how to use hay bales for growing produce, along with the why and wherefore. Also includes variations on the idea and what to do with everything at the end of the season. There is also some good humor in the reading so it isn't a fact-slog.
I was able to finish it in an afternoon and still feel sufficiently armed with knowledge to get things working.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some cool ideas in this book like using the residual heat from straw bale decomposition to extend the growing season. I might try a few bales for places I want to grow only for a single season. The part that bugged me was the picture captions usually said the exact same thing as the main text.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

good information. Quick read. Cannot wait to try technique out next year.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

For planting directly into bales, not for making raised beds using straw walls

[Kelley Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to try it this year

[Gail Richmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to use straw bales for raised bed gardens. Diagrams and plans are useful.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the 2019 edition.
Clear directions with plenty of full color illustrations to help.

[Colleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to try this technique!

[Megan Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information but not well organized. It might have flowed better if I was reading it “on paper” vs on my kindle. But still, was able to take pages of notes to start my garden!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great pictures and detailed instruction!!!!!! I absolutely cannot wait to try this gardening method! A must-have for my home gardening library.

[Mark Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a personal favorite of mine. I purchased it 10 years ago when I began straw Bale gardening and have reread it several times since. GREAT book by Dr Joel Karsten.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to know about using straw bales for growing a plethora of vegetables, mushrooms & even flowers. Instructions & great photos, as well as plant characteristics.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to know to make a straw bale garden. Looking forward to trying it out.

[Macayla Fryc · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the book. Can't give a rating for the straw bale method yet.
Concise, extremely informative, great cheat sheet charts (which we used outside while gardening).
Joel has this method down pat, and straw bale gardening should work great for the proactive gardener.

[Jenny K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to try this method of gardening! Now to locate some straw.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for any gardener to read. It has lots of interesting tidbits even if, like me, you don't plan to make a straw bale garden.
My garden is set up very differently however I do mulch heavily with straw so much of what was in the book will apply to my garden with modifications. The explanation of what straw is explained some of my past problems with my so-called straw growing.
The storage tips and weed tips will prove very useful as well. It never occurred to me I could use vinegar as an herbicide. I usually have plenty around as I set a simple goat cheese with it. Now I plan to attack the poison ivy and horsenettle with it.
The book is well written and easy to follow through the different steps. Anyone with very limited space or only pavement should definitely give this a try.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good guide to getting started on your straw bale garden. My plants are not doing much, yet, but I am growing toadstools like a freaking champ!
(Update 4 weeks later) I don't think I will try this another year. I followed the instructions, and I know my bales are breaking down based on all the toadstools I have grown, but my vegetables aren't doing much of anything. One tomato plant died, and 2 just sits there doing nothing, not dying or growing. I have had 1 green bean out of 10 come up, and it is also just sitting there doing nothing. My cucumbers look like they might be successful, but this was a lot of effort for just a few cucumbers. Oh, and all the flowers I tried to grow from the sides have either died or just sit there idle. I don't understand why this is such a flop, but I've lost hope.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew tomatoes and eggplants in two bales using this method this summer. Things I learned- if you don't prep by his method with tons of fertilizer, you'll be adding fertilizer all summer long. And #2, I only had to water once a week in the height of the usual drought weather. I bought 40 bales this fall to prep for next spring and I'll be trying all my annual veggies using this method. If I fail, at least I'll have a ton of compost to fill my raised beds.

I've read the original book and the newest updated version. Things I liked in the updated version are how to make your own bales of waste material (like a mini- hugelkultur bale). Missing from the updated version was a longer story of how he got started and instead focuses on developments and what he's learned since publishing the original book.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've got 15 bales of straw in the back of my pickup just waiting for me to prepare the earth where they'll sit. I have a problem with gophers, so want to lay down some chicken wire (at least) with cardboard boxes over it - then the bales on top. Come March-April I'll begin to prep the bales with fertilizer and look forward to a great garden this year! I plan to have lots of herbs, tomatoes, lettuces, potatoes, green beans, edamame, etc. I might even get some garlic into them and just have a late season crop. Am enjoying looking up people's websites and blogs talking about successes and failures - so I'll have a good sense of what to avoid and why!!!

[Lisa Red Dust · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did exactly what Joel stated in his books and I grew a nice garden. My basil and tomatoes loved straw bales, but not my vine crops. You need lots of good fertilizer with probiotics and water if you are living in a hot dry climate. Straw gardening is okay, but not as easy as it sounds. Make sure you get organic straw or hay bales, if you want to compost them. The herbicide and pesticide used on wheat fields will kill off all the good little flora and fauna that break matter down whilst composting. Glyphosate is used on wheat fields to kill grain off evenly before harvest and stresses the plant, which also causes a slight increase in grain head size and weight.