Joni Graves
2 reviews
Listed in United States
- Spring Green, Wisconsin, USA
- [email protected]
- When Joel Karsten interviewed me in February 2016, he asked why I had been attracted to Straw Bale Gardening and I told him “Because I wanted to change my life.”
I didn’t know that when I listened to him on Wisconsin Public Radio in 2013, but I quickly knew that I wanted to create a straw bale garden. I had never had anything more than a small container garden before, but I started with nearly 30 bales and it was transformative.
The second year I expanded my garden to almost 40 bales and I created an “installation” inspired by Fritz Haeg’s Foraging Circle at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
My third SBG garden was more rampant, but no less delightful and very productive.
One of the things that I love the most about working in my garden is the endless opportunities for creative problem solving — so, it feeds the mind as well as the body.
I had never heard of a straw bale garden until I saw Joni’s. Joni is a creative person who “digs deep” into any idea or project she pursues and her garden project is no exception. It’s been intriguing to learn more from her about straw bale gardening and share some of the results!
I have seen all three of Joni’s gardens, and I’ve been increasingly amazed by each iteration. The produce has been bountiful and delicious (I’ve been the recipient of many harvests), and the designs have been carefully planned and beautifully executed. Each year has brought refinements in terms of watering, shading, and protecting. I’m extremely eager to see what this year brings!