We Begin! Setting Up the Straw Bale Garden

My garden project gained official approval yesterday.  Today I had straw bales delivered from the local feed store and called 811 (call before you dig) for the main garden plot.  I can begin tilling up the main plot on Friday.  My project for today was setting the straw bales up.

I ordered seven straw bales and with Chris Jefferies' help, set them up along the south side of the TUMC garage.  Our children enjoyed helping, too.  Once the bales were in place, we soaked them down, added some organic fertilizer, and soaked them again.  Anita Johanson and Peggy Jefferies helped today, too.  I have never tried a straw bale garden before, and I am excited to give it a try.  The bales will need to "cook" over the next ten days before we can plant.  In the meantime I need to figure out how to set up a hot house type structure over the garden so we can grow heat-loving crops like tomatoes.

The bales were of great interest to all our little helpers.

The soaking process was of even more interest to our little helpers.

To learn more about straw bale gardens, look here.