Do you garden? We love to garden; along with our raised beds, numerous pots for our invasive plants, chickens, a fountain and a greenhouse we are only getting started with our garden plan. We plan on adding on to it as time goes on and you can see the entire layout, how it’s come together so far, and where we found everything here. Even though we do great with our produce growth we have decided to do something different this year. Let me share how using Hugelkultur is the ultimate guide to sustainable gardening.
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Since we were not able to plant our seeds this year due to having to go out of town during our usual seed planting time we have decided to instead get the soil ready for the next planting season.
This is where my husband came in telling me about the method of Hugelkultur. Let me ask you a couple of questions; Have you heard of it? Are you searching for a gardening technique that not only maximizes plant growth but also promotes sustainability? Well, stop the search….no really trust me this is a game changer for gardening!
Hugelkultur, is a centuries-old method, offers a powerful solution to enhance your garden’s productivity while minimizing impact on the planet (see we care about the planet around here) to name a few. So let’s dive into it then shall we? All the juicy details about Hugelkultur, the benefits, when to plant, and why it should be your go to gardening approach from now on. But, first…
Hugelkultur History and invention
Let me tell you a little bit about where the method came from. The technique originated in Eastern Europe and was developed by farmers who were faced with challenges such as limited resources and harsh climates. By using what they did have on hand (fallen trees, leaves, etc) they created fertile soil that could nourish plants for years.
Benefits of Hugelkultur
So, are you still wondering if it’s worth it? Then listen to the benefits of it. Hugelkultur beds act as a sponge, retaining water and provides a consistent moisture for your plants. With these water-retaining capabilities it reduces the need for frequent watering. As the organic materials break down over time they release vital nutrients into the soil which promotes healthy plant growth. Also, the beds create a type of microclimate that actually protects the plants from extreme temperatures (and if you live here in the south you know that’s a great benefit for us), ensuring survival and production. So, what you say we build us a Hugelkultur Raised Bed?
How to build your own
Here I’m going to share our step-by-step guide with the process of constructing your own Hugelkultur raised bed. What you use may be a little different but we will both end up in the same place in the end. But before we start here are a few things you need to know first:
- Make sure you find a sunny spot to place your raised bed. If you can build it parallel to a slope so it can catch any water that’s running down the slope into it is a good idea.
- The beds need to be narrow enough that you can reach the middle of it.
- Avoid using types of wood that rot slowly such as redwood, cedar, or locust. As well as any that release toxins that stop plant growth like black walnut.
- During the first year (as its decomposing) you will need to water the bed so it stays wet.
Ok, now let’s continue shall we.
THE LAYOUT
(Again this is the layout that we did; yours may be a little different depending on what you use)
- 1st layer- 4%-6% Thin Cardboard
- 2nd layer- 40%-50% Wood (Logs are the usual thing used here)
- 3rd layer- 10%-11% Plant Waste (we used mulched leaves)
- 4th layer- 2% We did a Thin Layer of Soil
- 5th layer- 10%-11% Compost (we made/used Bio Char)
- 6th layer- Organic Soil (shaping it into a tall mound- see pic below)
- This is a step that you don’t have to do- here is where we added some of our favorite nutrients that we like to use for our plants. They will help feed the soil as it’s breaking down especially the Nitrogen since it will use up most of what it produces to help it break down.
Here is the list of our nutrients we used and where you can find them:
- Bone Meal MiracleGro Natures Care Organic-(for building a strong frame from the beginning; contains Nitrogen & Calcium)
- Kelp Meal Down To Earth-(A natural fertilizer; contains Potassium & Nitrogen)
- Seabird Guano Roots Organics by Aurora-(a good mineral nutrient; contains Phosphate)
- Espoma Organic Bio Tone Starter Plus-(for promoting bigger roots)
- Epsom Salt Pennington– (plant nutrient for Magnesium & Sulfur deficiencies)
- Finely Ground up Eggshells(for Calcium)
Once you have finished adding everything make sure you water the soil pretty well but not drenched. We also cover and uncover ours every couple of days to keep it from drying out and to also keep the moisture in as well.
THE PROCESS
Over the next six months to a year the rotting wood will hold onto the water like a sponge making it drought resistant. With it acting like a sponge it stores water (rain or hose) to have for drier times which it will release to keep it wet. For the first few years the process warms the soil creating a longer growing season.
WHEN TO START PLANTING
Ah, the sweet anticipation of waiting for decomposition to work its magic. Now, I will admit I’m an impatient person but good things come to those who wait, right? So, find your patience and let your Hugelkultur do what it does best (decompose) for usually around six months to a year (hence why it’s a great thing to do if you’ve missed your window of planting like we did). During this time, the wood and other organic matter undergo decomposition, creating a nutrient-rich environment for your plants to thrive. It also allows any potential heat generated during the decomposition process to dissipate, preventing damage to delicate roots. So, if you feel yourself getting impatient just think of all those beautiful plants and vegetables you will have next season.
So in closing just remember, gardening doesn’t have to be boring. If you give it lots of love and ways for it to grow it will deliver. By the way it’s not just about the plants we grow but also with it being organic which to me makes everything taste even better in my opinion.
Oh, if you would like to see more information on Hugelkultur here are some additional resources that we liked that may help:
- https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-hugelkultur
- https://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/the-many-benefits-of-hugelkultur/
