Growing in straw

I have just read an article on growing toms and the like on straw bales. Does anyone have any experience of this, it sounds good although height might be a problem in the g/house.

http://www.greenhousegrowing.co.uk/strawbale-growing-systems.html

sounds bonkers to me and would take up a load of space instead of using a few pots

I suspect it's a takeoff on Ruth Stout's No Work Garden idea. Except she planted out stuff and simply massed loose straw yearly over everything so both preserve moisture and eliminate weeding. Over the years the older straw broke down into fine 'soil' which became her plant food source. In a land famous for slugs and snails it might not be the best idea for the UK.

Hmm interesting Trill as I put straw down round my sweetcorn and perhaps not a great idea since I am swamped by slugs.... note to self, don't do it this year

I remember a friend doing this years ago - the straw was prepared beforehand with a high nitrogen soak ( diluted urine, Blood fish and bone) and left to heat up and partially break down for a few weeks. The tomato was then planted with some compost in a hole made in the top

I seem to remember the results were not spectacular but might be interesting for an experiment

Worth a try. Nothing ventured and all that. If we never tried things where would we be    I like to try things out on my plot as it keeps things interesting.