We had great success growing tomatoes in strawbales last year in MI. We got the bales a little later in the season and missed the rains but once the bales were saturated and with the addition of some kelp, mycorrhizae, beneficial microbes, and blood and bone meal those tomatoes out performed those planted in soil in the gardens. The bales were placed on a concrete parking lot in rows as long planting beds and we wrapped the outer edges with black plastic to encourage quicker decomp and retain moisture however that was also due to getting a late start and missing all three rainy seasons and starting in late May. This year we plan to get a little earlier of a start and frame the bales in with lumber but they could also be buried or just the addition of straw to a hugelkultur setup would work too. My point is that the roots of these plants had grown nearly six feet long underneath the bales and were fat and healthy. I couldn't believe how big and long they were. I think if the medium tomatoes are grown in has just begun a decomp process and is fairly aerated allowing ease of root growth, those roots will continue to grow and find water where it is. Similar to hydroponics roots are unimpeded and will grow to large proportions. Obstructions and compact soils are what stifle root growth. So, the only other question would be not using fertilizer. hmmm. White clover for nitrogen? As a cover crop started in the fall as soon as the bales are saturated? Place the bales out in rows in early fall to get rainfall, contain rainfall until bales are saturated and begin to decomp then plant dutch white clover and possibly comfrey along the outer edges to be slashed and dropped as mulch throughout the season? Now you've got me thinking. LOL. To get around mycorrhizae you could just dig a few scoops of healthy forest soil and add it to the top of the bales along with compost then mulch it over to begin decomp. Hope something in my post is of use.
