I recently posted the following photo to show what I am playing with in straw bale gardening. I've been treating the bales with high nitrogen fertilizer to expedite decomposition in the center of the bales. I am now suddenly getting a bonus crop of fresh wheat sprouts. The top of the bales looks like of one of those things you see advertised on television where herbs grow out of the top of a clay head when they are watered. I pulled a few of the sprouts to taste. They are really good.
I'm thinking about digging a 4' X 8' hole in the ground about 12" deep next year. I will fill the hole with straw bales leaving the bales sticking out of the ground about 6". They should have the general appearance of a raised bed garden. I would treat the bales with fertilizer and grow wheat sprouts all winter, planting some veggies in it in the spring. It's just a thought, but it sounds interesting.
I'll post a photo of my bonus crop when the bales are completely covered.
Ted
[img]https://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll308/tedln/2011%20Garden/IMG_2688.jpg[/img]