Straw Bale Gardening a New Venture for us

I saw this method used to very good effect at RHS Hyde Hall a few years ago.....peas, brassicas and also strawberry plants.

Interesting and looks very successful. If you added fertilizer every day did you use it very dilute or normal strength?

first time i have heard or seen it done. one question though and that is how do you intend to get rid of all that grass and does the yield justify the expense?
not complaining, but i found that over the years my return was small for months of hard graft

ps

i now grow plants and shop at riverford

Paulspatch: I haven't been to RHS Hyde Hall (yet), but yes I'm thinking of planting strawberries at the side of the bales early next year.

Steragram: I used Nitrogen-rich (balanced 10-10-10) lawn fertiliser, and for some days I sprinkled 4oz evenly on every bale, and watered in well till granules disappeared; on other days I had to use tepid rain water only. Rainy weather helped too :-)
The purpose was to start the bales 'cooking'. A sign that this was happening were the mushrooms blooming on the outside, bales were kind of 'warmish' when touched, and for one day I could smell a 'sweetish' perfume.

Maisiesdad: about "yield justifying expense" - well, what can I say - I've just spent £80 on a cage to prevent pigeons feasting on the cabbages and kale :-)
However, when you enjoy your hobby, you invest in it. It makes me (and my husband) happy. The cage works and cabbages are growing, and it looks nice in the garden, adding a bit of height at a time when plants go down to 'bed' for the winter.

The garlic and broad beans are doing well, but I can't see any onions seedlings yet.

Gosh that's a lot of fertilizer - sounds fascinating - I hope you get lots of good produce!