Straw Bale Gardening
This gardening technique was developed by a Minnesotan gardener named Joel Karsten. Straw bale gardening helps make gardening accessible to people with limited space, poor soil and limited mobility. I highly recommend that newcomers to this method of gardening check out his books from their local library, or better yet, buy the 2019 edition. Once you get the hang of straw bale gardening, you'll want to have this book in your collection!
Condition
Conditioning bales with high-nitrogen fertilizer speeds up decomposition of straw inside of the bales. The hollow structure of the straw wicks water to trap moisture, reducing labor needs. The conditioning process typically takes about 10-14 days, so plan accordingly!
Plant
Seeds and small plants can be planted directly into the top and sides of the bales. Add a little soil when planting seeds to help them along. In my limited experience, I would recommend no more than three plants on the top of each bale to allow for adequate growing space. Remember, the plant can only grow within the space it has available.
Water
As Joel Karsten would say, "Water, watch and wait." There is no weeding necessary, so labor is limited to watering daily and picking off leaves with any sign of infection. Take care to not overwater, as the bales will hold more moisture than a typical garden.
Harvest
Allow your plants to grow to their full capacity and you won't regret it. Harvesting food that you've spent your time growing is the best reward!