Now is a really good time to think about what Christmas gifts to get the gardner in your life. Not only will it be easier to find garden supplies or books to buy this time of year, but your gardener may have a better idea of what he (Let’s just use the grammatically correct gender […]
How Well Does a Straw Bale Garden Decompose in the Arid Desert of Southwest Idaho
A few days ago I needed to break up one of my 3 straw bale gardens in order to set up a chicken pen. This particular straw bale garden was just beginning its third spring. All of it, dirt and straw, has been watered regularly with drip irrigation. I have grown vegetables such as zucchini, […]
Keeping My Garden Organized with a Portable Garden Chart
Charting out my garden plan is not one of my favorite garden activities. Since I DO gravitate toward lists and charts, I’m not sure why this is. Maybe it is the puzzle qualities of the endeavor. I HAVE to make everything fit, and there is never enough room. It is unsolvable. Getting myself a cup […]
Blooms in Succession Throughout the Season Provide Therapy for the Old Straw Bale Garden
A straw bale raised bed is one way to add dimension to your garden, but it begins to lose it’s original form after a season. The straw turns a dirty grey, while sections of the sides randomly abandon the mother bale. The soil in the middle sinks, no matter if it was tamped down, and […]
Winter Shapes of the Straw Bale Garden
My straw bale garden has sagged, but I don’t think it’s all bad. I think it is on it’s way to becoming a pleasing, comfortable shape. Earlier, this winter, some bulbs were places on top of it, then covered with a layer of top soil. The soil ended up having more rocks in it than […]