Carlene Gilbert

My maternal grandmother started teaching me about urban gardens, and my paternal grandmother taught me about farm gardens. I love both! I never did well, however, due to poor soil, even after amending it annually for many years. Last spring, my friend gave me Joel’s book. The binding is now bent, the pages covered with highlighter, notes in the the margins, and shows signs of having been outside during the spinkling showers of spring. I still use it.

The 1st year, I started with 25 bales. My bountiful harvest was wonderful to eat and to share. This year, I will use the “virgin soil compost” made by last year’s bales to help stimulate flower and grass growth in my yard. as well as garden another 26 bales. . My neighbors, co-workers, friends, and relatives are all curious, and many come for advice to start their own.

Due to the diversity of straw bale gardening, I strongly believe that this is one (of the many) answers to hunger in my own community and for the world. I love spreading the word at every opportunity.