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Straw Bale Gardens: The Breakthrough Method For Growing Vegetables Anywhere, Earlier And With No Weeding (2013)

by Joel Karsten(Favorite Author)

4.13 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1591865506 (ISBN13: 9781591865506)

languge

English

genre

Food & Cookbooks

publisher

Cool Springs Press

review 1: 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 experim... moreented 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)!
review 2: What a pleasant surprise I got in my mailbox yesterday! Thank you! I read this book over the course of one day - great read and very informative. It walks you through the entire process, step-by-step and gives great tips on troubleshooting and avoiding problems before they start. I love how the trellis design so easily supports a simple greenhouse transformation for early in the season. Love the compost bin design too - I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to get into gardening or is already a serious gardener - it's full of useful information. I can't wait to try straw bale gardening! less

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