Straw Bale Gardening

Straw Bale Gardening is simply another form of container gardening. The difference is that the container is the straw bale, and it is held together by two or three strings. When the straw inside the bale begins to decay, the straw becomes “conditioned” compost that creates a great plant rooting environment. An essential part of the process is getting the straw bales conditioned. May is about the right time to get started in most of the country. This technique works anywhere in the country or the world, for that matter.

Joel Karsten is a certified Nursery and Landscape Professional through the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. He hold a BS from the University of Minnesota in Horticulture Science, but his real knowledge on gardening comes from his 35 years of being a gardener. Joel’s father, Glen Karsten is the owner of Karsten’s Nursery, and has been growing and selling trees and shrubs for many years near Worthington, MN. Joel spend many hours working in the nursery and even gardening with his Grandma Josephine, as well.

The benefits of a Straw Bale Garden: If you are less capable or interested in doing heavy work of traditional gardening, such as tilling the soil, constant weeding, insects, and disease spraying, Straw Bale Gardening virtually eliminates these challenges.

Any Physical limitation or handicap that restricts you from getting down on the ground, you will appreciate the easier, higher surface access of a straw bale, which eliminates the bending to plant and harvest.

If you have poor soil or limited space to devote to a garden, you will love the low cost and flexibility of placement of your garden. You’ll also love how the garden grows once it is properly conditioned.

If you are a seasoned gardener looking for a fun new method, you will love the results.

Joel started teaching the “Straw Bale Gardening” class in the spring of 2008, and has become a popular instructor at many school districts around Minnesota and Wisconsin. If you are not able to attend his class, you can order his book, “Guide To Straw Bale Gardening”, by Joel Karsten for $15.00, which includes mailing cost in the USA or Canada. Mail Your Check To: Joel Karsten 1313 Willow Circle Roseville, MN 55113

Or order online. A PDF copy is $9.99 (Sorry, I don’t have the link, but you can probably Google him.)