Our Straw Bed Bales Made the Local News

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We made the local paper this morning! Check it out the story on our straw bale raised bed experiment. Since the photographer came a week ago on Thursday I thought it would be nice to show a few photos from this morning to show how fast everything is growing.
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We are growing all sorts of summer melons in that raised bed and they are doing much better than any other previous year we’ve grown them. In previous years we’ve planted our melons straight into the ground and while we have amended those beds, we specifically built the soil up in this straw bale raised bed to be for melons. What that means is lots and lots of manure, they are heavy feeders.
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Of course the proof is in the pudding and while there are many melons on the vines, none are ripe yet, so we’ll report back when they are ready to pick. But it looks like we will have our fair share of crenshaw melons this year!

Comments

  1. says

    Saw the article, it was very nice. Congratulations.

    Wanted to send you a Sunday flower arrangement but can’t figure out how to get the picture to you. My computer skills are limited.

  2. says

    Love what you have done?

    What do straw bales cost? How many have you used on a side? How long do you think these raised beds will last?

    David

  3. says

    I love this idea……..you just gave me the perfect idea to shelter our pumpkin patch…..our retriever is trampling them to pieces….I think a little snake is in their teasing her (yuck!). Your blog is gorgeous and I’m using your canning labels again this year….so wonderful :)Thank you!!!

  4. countrygal says

    great ideas! would you please share about the straw beds, i am wondering, is there soil in the middle for the bed or are you planting in the straw? the only drawback that i am concerned about would be additional water consumption, is that a factor? thanx for your time and resource.

    • asonomagarden says

      We put soil in the middle for the bed. I know others plant into the straw, but we decided to fill it with soil instead. I don’t think we’ve had to water it any more than our other raised beds.

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