If you have been missing out on fresh produce because you don't have much room for a garden, because you can't afford a fancy tiller, or because you think that planting vegetables is to much work then you might want to consider growing vegetables in hay bales. No, I'm not crazy and yes, you can grow vegetables in hay bales. Jim Stephens, a Vegetable Crop Specialist at the University of Florida came up with the idea of growing vegetables in hay bales and it really works.
Hay bales provide a well-aerated disease free growing medium that is perfect for growing vegetables.
Plus, hay bales are elevated off the ground which makes them perfect for disabled gardeners or gardeners who have trouble bending down. According to Gary Wade, UGA Extension Horticulture Specialist, wheat straw and bermudagrass hay bales will both work just fine for growing vegetables. However, older hay bales that have begun to rot tend to work best for this type of gardening. In order for hay bales to be productive they will need special treatment beginning about ten days before planting time. First, keep the bales very wet for 3 days.