Hugelkultur is the piling up of organic matter, like wood stumps and prunings, to make a raised mound on which crops are grown.

Go to Hugelkultur to see more description of this European garden art.

Today’s video introduces Tony’s project — a hugelkultur on top of a previous hugelkultur.  The original pile of prunings and soil has decomposed and settled and is now ready for another round of rounds (pun intended!).

Hugelkultur 1 of 4 (video):

From Tony’s project (pics):

The yard debris pile that we have converted to a hugelkultur (by adding soil on top) stands nearly waste high to Anita.

 

Last year’s hugelkultur topped off with straw before final soil layer.  The hugelkultur was a good place to get rid of, “use”, some on-hand adobe soil.  Ultimately, the layers of organic matter below and above the adobe soil will enrich that soil.

 

Last year’s hugelkultur, Food Ridge West, produced a garlic crop.  Notice how much the soil-covered debris pile has settled – the vertical log that was buried is now poking through the central walk path.

 

The BEFORE to this year’s Food Ridge West hugelkultur project.  The soil level has settled even more. The hugelkultur’s inner debris pile has broken down further – note the vertical log sticks out yet further than from last spring’s garlic crop pic, above.  Piles of black oak branches and limbs are ready to add to the hugelkultur.

 

For a detailed discussion,

clear graphics, and lots of pics of hugelkultur,

see Paul Weaton’s blog at:

 

Some images of hugelkultur.

 

Happy hugelkultur habitat making.  See you tomorrow.

Tony