Q: I am considering adding straw bales for growing my spring/summer vegetables and the initial treatment required for wetting the bales, adding Nitrogen as part of the preparation for microbial breakdown of straw materials during a two-week period. I read two online extension articles that stated straw bales with the right amount of moisture and outside temperatures may burn. Are you aware of any "spontaneous combustion" that has ever occurred using single straw bales either placed in a row or individually?
A: Straw bale gardening is a nice way to avoid growing in our poor soil, fighting off garden weeds, and preventing some joint and back pain by having a raised area to garden. Spontaneous combustion is a problem for hay stacked in large piles. Single bales used for gardening are not likely to generate enough heat for combustion.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
