An Expert At Straw Bale GardeningBy Nancy Leasman

"Why didn't I think of that?"That's the question gardeners often ask

themselves after hearing Joel Karsten'spresentation on straw bale gardening. Heperfected his technique 8 years ago and nowteaches it to others.

Karsten's garden "revolution" got startedafter his grandma mentioned a radiodiscussion she heard about growing potatoesunder straw. That led to a discussion with hisdad, Glen Karsten, about the possibility ofgrowing things directly in straw bales. Theydecided to give it a try.

"We did 50 bales the first year," Karstensays about their gardening experiment. Theytried various fertilizers and watering methodsto give the composting process a good start.Taking a scientific approach, with the balesdivided into 10 separate plots, he says theresults were amazing. "Everything worked!"

Karsten has gone on to perfect his system.These are the basics:

Place up to five straw (not hay) bales in arow, end to end, "cut" side up.

Drive in a 6 to 7-ft. post or stake in theground at each end.

Provide growth support wires by fastening14 to 16 gauge wire from post to post withtwin bottom wires l0 to 12 in. above the balesand single wires at l0-in. intervals to the topsof the posts. (The twin bottom wires allowfor insertion ofplastic sheets to protect tenderyoung plants.)

Condition the bales over a 10-day period:Days l, 3 and 5, sprinkle l/2 cup of cheap

fertilizer (34-0-0) over each bale, then waterthoroughly. Days 2, 4 and 6, water. Days 7through 9 use ll4 cup of the fertilizer pluswater. Day 10, apply one cup of 10-10-10fertilizer and water. Karsten advises usingthe cheapest fertilizer available.

Karsten says by the end of the conditioningperiod earth worms will have moved in andmushrooms will be sprouting in the bales.The strings that hold the straw together areimportant since they hold the outer shell ofthe bales while the inner part decomposesand becomes the perfect growing media.Tomatoes, pepper, cabbage, broccoli andother young plants can be planted in holesmade in the newly composted middle of thebales. A I to 2-in. inch layer of potting soilplaced on top of the bales is advisable forstarting seeds that might slide into holes inthe sffaw.

Straw bale gardening works for nearly allannual vegetables and flowers. One exceptionis corn which could only be planted one ortwo stalks per bale, limiting production.This planting method is also a solution forgardeners with tomato growing difficultiesdue to Fusarium and Verticillium wilt, fungithat stay in the soil and stunt or kill tomatoesplanted in the same area year after year.

Benefits of straw bale gardening include:no weeding, no tilling, low cost, less stoopingand bending, fewer bugs and pests, and ease

of harvest. Karsten recommends installinga drip inigation system for even watering.He says planting can be done up to a month

Benefits of straw bale gardening include no weeding or tilling, low cost, less stoopingand bending, and ease of harvesto says Joel Karsten.

earlier in the bales which give off heat as

the straw composts. He offers many moretips and techniques on his website and inhis handy booklet, "Guide to Straw BaleGardening".

Karsten's current garden is at 240 bales.

He estimates that his low labor garden willrequire only about I 8 hrs. ofwork per season.

Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, JoelKarsten, 1313 Willow Circle, Roseville,Minn. 55113 (ph 651 470-2096; adrprod@comcast.net; www.strawbalegardens.com).