Hugelkultur experts say the bigger the mound the better as more moisture is retained. I was able to get a few loads of wood chips on the piles before everything froze in November. Hugelkulturs are no-dig raised beds with a difference. They hold moisture, build fertility, maximise surface volume and are great spaces for growing fruit, vegetables and herbs. hugelkultur-cross-section. From this springs the inspiration for hugelkultur. Hugelkultur is a raised bed with an intentionally layered structure with large wooden logs as the base layer. What is a hugelkulture bed? It is a gardening method that starts out with a pile of logs and branches. Click for more hugelkulture information. There are several benefits offered by hugelkultur to gardeners. This gardening method works well in every dry area and requires little irrigation or fertilizer. It is also very easy to recreate. There's video of multiple different hugelkulur beds being made, information on hugelkultur's advantages, and instructions on how to make one Hugelkultur is very low maintenance–no compost turning. The mound is not an eye-sore or smelly as some compost bins can be. It’s a conversation piece! Check out Paul Wheaton’s article on hugelkultur here, and his short video here for some fabulous information. While hugelkultur beds traditionally take the form of mounds, I sought a nuanced adaptation to align with both aesthetics and functionality. As the wood rots, it turns into wonderful organic matter a lot like the stump dirt I rave about. However, I think I made a few mistakes with my hugelkultur beds. I’d also heard that the moist, decomposing logs could tie up nitrogen and lower soil pH, like a bog. I wanted to experiment with hugelkultur on a crop that I knew would enjoy the low pH. (I did a Google Images search for “hugelkultur.”) Photo0669. A Facebook friend mentioned a story of a Zimbabwe man who was banished to live on an almost barren hilltop by Robert Mugabe. Expect Hugelkultur beds to provide rich, fertile soil, increased harvests, larger plants — and savings — for up to 20 years. Hugelkultur raised beds are like no other! They hold moisture, build fertility and maximize surface volume so you get double the yield when harvest comes.
