{Photo Credit Journal-News/Pavel Slepicka}
One Hundred Dollars a Month reader Andrew was just featured in his local Hillsboro, Illinois paper, The Journal News for his amazing straw bale garden he planted 3 months ago in his grandparents backyard. The above picture features Andrew standing in front of his nearly five-and-a-half foot tall tomato plants.
But he’s not just growing tomatoes, he also has pumpkins, zucchini and cucumbers growing in his straw bale garden as well. And the best part? These straw bales help keep the soil weed free. In fact, Andrew says he hasn’t pulled a weed yet!
Andrew studied ornamental horticulture while in college and is also a Master Gardener. He started gardening at the age of 12 and hasn’t stopped since. What a stinkin’ rock star! 😉
Way to go Andrew.
~Mavis
Becca says
I use straw as a mulch in my garden. I have a TON of weeds, most of which is grass and straw/wheat growing which could have only been introduced by the straw. I’m very annoyed by it.
Lisa says
My last few bales of straw grew too. I know it was the straw, because I left one unused and it grew! I called the supply store and complained, but the damage was done. On a positive note, the straw grass is more welcome than the foxtails! I just didn’t appreciate it in the strawberries.
Alison says
Get OUT!!! No soil?!?! What a great story! Thanks Mavis!
You have just provided us with the perfect solution to an area in our back yard that we couldn’t do anything with (drainage pipe a foot underground). It was so frustrating because it got great light! I’ll send photos next year 🙂 Rock. Star. Through and through. I tell ya. You never cease to amaze me woman!
Cameron says
I have to agree with Becca. The idea isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It depends on what type of straw is used – which wasn’t stated – and also depends upon many other factors such as amount of shade/direct sunlight/rainfall among others.
Stacy says
LOL. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog now for about a year and this evening, as I was scrolling through, I had to do a double take. I too, am from Hillsboro and just read this article in our local newspaper the other day. I drive by this house every day and have noticed all the new flora around the house. Small world.