Congratulations! Sounds like a score to me. I hope that it composts well for you, keep us posted and let us know how it does.

I have found that straw (I am sure that there are several different kinds) does not break down as readily as leaves even if it is shredded. I do not know anything about your area, lot, room etc, but if it is not in the way, you might use the bales for a cold frame or make another bin out of them and use them when they do break down. Just a thought.
Bill P.

Thanks, Bill. I hadn't thought of a cold frame. (Well I'm really not sure what a cold frame is!) I live in Central Calif and it doesn't get too cold, but I am considering making a bin out of them as I usually acquire more leaves than my bins will hold.

I use bales as a veggie garden seat and work (potting) table. Straw & hay for mulch. Straw for compost pile foundation and top. A little straw mixed in finely chopped materials to aid with aeration. They dont break down fast for me as I do 2 or 3 week tumbler composting, but doesnt bother me. And they will be used as browns when I run out of last fall's leaves. If I run out of straw/hay, then it is newspaper.
The bales often contain strange weed seeds. I like to have the bales sit for a year before breaking them up.

All those volunteer pumpkin seedlings should be interesting.

I am so jealous. I feed my chickens spoiled pumpkins . It really makes for dark orange yolks. Pumpkin seeds are a great vermifuge (wormer) Then I have the chicken droppings to ad to my garden. You will probably get a lot of baby pumpkin plants, especially in a warmer climate.

Somebody here uses the bales as lasagna gardens. I think just bales and pee, then plant things right in the bales. You could search for the thread I suppose.

If I had extra bales I'd likely make a bin out of them. Then the bin itself will eventually compost. Should be a fun experiment.

This afternoon I placed 4 of the bales to form a square and will use that as an extra compost bin. Now just 6 more bales to go! I plan to use some of it for mulch and any left will probably come in handy next summer when I run out of leaves. Thanks for ideas. I may even try planting in one...don't know about the pee though. Maybe coffee grounds would work?

Experiment a little. You need a source of N.

I've been watching for free pumpkins, too, but I want to process them for the freezer! I've done it before, even though "carving" varieties aren't supposed to be as tasty as those marketed as "pie" pumpkins--I had great pumpkin all winter for all sorts of recipes. I hate thinking of that excellent food going to the dump!

http://www.gardenlen.com/straw_bale_garden.htm
Nice link for haybale/straw gardening
I also once saw a page where a women made all her gardens with hay and never needed to weed.
I will look for it.

awesome. I would LOVE to have those bales - and more - i could build a bin like you did (square, 4 bales) - could also put them out where i want to kill the grass (and do lasagna gardening)....man....

I went out to check on the progress of the straw and pumpkin bin today. (I had also dumped a bag of Starbucks grounds into it.) I was amazed at the decrease in size over just a few days, and the pumpkins are all warm gushy and mushy deep inside, just composting away! My husband says he thinks The Rat Family that we got rid of last year might be back to take up residence in that cozy bed and breakfast that I've created for them...pumpkin scones and Starbucks coffee and a warm bed...what more could a rat want?

Ohh, I've been trying to come up withn an idea for a cold frame for seed starting in the spring, the bales of hay are a great idea!