kind of like a hugel?

realizing I really need to start growing more of our own food. A hugel seems like a great way to go but I don't have the time right now to dedicate to building it yet. I want to get my feet wet by doing something so I was thinking of starting a small raised bed. growing season is upon us though and I kind of want to get started right away. My parents found this "straw bale gardening" concept and are making one to try it out.

Seems like sort of a small scale hugel in the way that as the straw breaks down it composts and feeds the plant.

So my question is, are there people on this forum using straw bale gardening (aka hay bale gardening)? I did a basic search and found very little here even though there are videos all over youtube. just looking for the place to ask questions and learn as much as I can before I go and get all the stuff and try to do it.

Have a look at this thread, John: https://permies.com/t/16493/hugelkultur/hugelkultur-straw

Seems to me that a proper hugel is a better option. I would get stuck in and try a small one. They are surprisingly easy to build and I can testify to their effectiveness.

If you are just getting started growing your own food, don't worry about making a hugelkulture, straw bale gardening, or even raised beds. Just tear up some lawn, mix in some compost, plant, and mulch. Don't make it more complicated than you need to your first season. The hardest part of growing food is not building the beds, but learning what plants do well in your climate and leaning to understand your micro-climates.

Once you've got things going this season, then build some hugel beds this summer. That will give the fungi a chance to do their thing over the fall and winter and they will actually work for you next spring then. Build some plain raised beds too so you can see what works best for you.

if you have to tear up a garden area anyway, go ahead and toss in some branches and /or chips or logs or anything you might have laying around while you are preparing..if you have the time and effort available..it can't hurt