Ah, memories. I did bales on 2 sides in western WA to block wind and they block a little light too, maybe an extra hour-plus in shadow until you get plant height, but that's a nice little microclimate in there for spring, and sounds like a good idea until you get the hang of it and commit, and the bales are mulch and compost when done.

Hardware cloth is esp effective against moles IME and easily secured to bales. I'd be interested to see if bales keep out deer, antelope I can see, maybe if you use the short side as height. I can't picture them keeping away pack rats, but the nurserymen should know. You'll have the advantage of starting earlier as the bales are effective shelves to hold clear plastic/row covers - I rolled mine around old 2x4s.

Sounds like a good project to exercise both back and brain!

Dan

You can also plant in the bales them selves. I have 2 rows of 3 bales that will each hold a tom and basil, giving me 6 extra toms I don't have room for in my raised beds. Also supposed to be good for lettuces.