I live in the sand hills and not much seems to grow here crop wise without a lot of soil preparation and constant fertilizing. Not a big problem if you are growing, cotton, tobacco, corn or soybeans by the hundred acres but kind of a pain for a home garden. I decided to try and experiment. This is not new or original just doesn't seem to be well know.
Straw bale gardens. The straw bales are used as the planting medium or for the scientifically inclined, the biomass. I start the plants in the green house and then simply make a hole in the straw bale and put the plant and potting soil right in. Straw bales stand so the ties are on the side. I prepped the straw bales for about 2 weeks before planting with urea every other day for about 10 days and lots of water every day. Finished up with a dose of 10-10-10 and watered another 4 days. I used wheat straw. Best part is no weeds grow. Lots of info on the Net.
Here's a picture. Didn't expect these results. Next year more straw bales and better spacing on the plants.