Summary: This week, we are treated to a special guest, when Author and Straw Bale Gardening Instructor visits with us and tells us all about and how to get started in Straw-Bale Gardening. Straw Bale Gardening is simply a different type of container gardening. The main difference is that the container is the straw bale itself and is held together with two or three strings. Once the straw inside the bale begins to decay the straw becomes "conditioned" compost that creates an extraordinary plant rooting environment. Getting the straw bales conditioned is an essential part of the process, and should be started by the first week in May for most parts of the country. This gardening 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 also holds a BS from the University of Minnesota in Horticulture Science; however, his real gardening knowledge has come from 35 years of being in the garden. Joel can be reached at his website at www.strawbalegardening.com
