Learn how to create an easy raised bed with straw bales

Here’s one creative solution to all those gardening drawbacks – straw-bale gardening!

Learn how at a free in-person workshop, offered by the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Placer County.

Set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 9, at Loomis Library, “Turn Your Straw into Gold” will cover the basics of straw-bale gardening, which uses a bale of straw soaked in liquid organic fertilizer (such as compost tea) as an instant raised bed.

“Growing your veggies and flowers in easily 'conditioned' straw bales means no soil, no digging, no bending, only a trowel needed,” say the master gardeners.

Once the garden season is over, the straw can be recycled, too, they add. “Your used straw bales make great compost!”

As someone who has tried straw-bale gardening, I found it was a very productive method for difficult spots where nothing else seemed to grow. The bale was elevated enough where there was less bending to tend the plants, and weeds never had a chance to take hold. It was perfect for potatoes and sweet potatoes; when harvest time came, these root vegetables were easy to find.

Straw-bale gardening also works well for eggplants, squash, strawberries, beans, carrots and many other favorites.

No advance registration for this one-hour workshop is needed. Loomis Library is located at 6050 Library Drive, Loomis.