Aloha Steemit family!!! Looking for some ways to save time and effort in the garden?
One thing most of us can relate to is hard compacted soil. This is one of the top reasons I hear when people justify not starting a garden.
So in this article I'll share our favorite way to create no-till/no dig garden beds. Keep in mind...we live in the desert...so anything to conserve water is muy importante.
INTRODUCING!!!! The hugelkultur raised bed!
A few years back our family decided to remove a large Ash tree in the front yard for various reasons. One was to create more sunny space for fruit trees, herbs and veg.
During the process it was then
discussed how to best honor her life and save on removal fees.
We had been reading about this method of farming based in Germany called Hugelkultur, which involves the process of using limbs, grass, and decaying matter mixed with soil to create a no-till garden bed.
So we chopped up and returned our beloved Ash tree lady back to the soil exactly where she had lived her life. And she still continues to return her nutrients to the garden today.
Here is an in depth article on why and how to build a hugelkultur garden bed...with several options for design.
https://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/many-benefits-hugelkultur
"The advantages of a hugel bed are many, including:
The gradual decay of wood is a consistent source of long-term nutrients for the plants. A large bed might give out a constant supply of nutrients for 20 years (or even longer if you use only hardwoods). The composting wood also generates heat which should extend the growing season.
Soil aeration increases as those branches and logs break down... meaning the bed will be no till, long term.
The logs and branches act like a sponge. Rainwater is stored and then released during drier times. Actually you may never need to water your hugel bed again after the first year (except during long term droughts)."
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STEP 1:
On a sod lawn Sepp Holzer (hugelkultur expert) recommends cutting out the sod and digging a one foot deep trench.
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STEP 2:
Fill the trench with logs and branches. Then cover the logs with the upside down turf.
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STEP 3:
On top of the turf add grass clippings, seaweed, compost, aged manure, straw, green leaves, mulch, etc.
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We added a top coat of azomite (one of our favorite amendments which my partner @rawutah writes about HERE).
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STEP 4:
Apply the final skin layer...wood chips to further retain moisture and support microbial diversity. We also planted comfrey 🙂
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After a few years...this is what the beds look like. We have not had to add any fertilizers or amendments except for the occasional top coat with wood chips and worm poo.
Simple right?
Let us know if you try it! We'd love to hear your feedback or questions.
Aloha,
Pachee and Family
I just shot a Dtube video showing how to make a hugelkulture bed. Hopefully I'll have it edited and uploaded within a few weeks.
Thank you fruitdaddy!!! I look forward to watching 😊
it's such an honor...and my greatest JOY....to work and play....along side you on this food forest...beloved! thanks for this beautiful post! over 7 years now...we have been working on this together! THANK YOU...for being here...and all the magic...you create!
Very interesting! I'm just starting to turn my garden into a permaculture wonder, and may use this technique so thank you berry much. Upvoted and resteemed
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES! LOVE IT. i have built hugels and always left them before i could see down the line. love that you have before and after photos of this. it is the best thing to do. and i absolutely love that you're transforming your yard!!! yes!
Thank you for your upvote and feedback!!! Love what you are sharing!!!
yes! thank you for this wonderful and detailed example of how to create a vibrant, sustaining ecosystem. we've resteemed your lovely educational post @the-hearth, @mountainjewel's earth-centered curation page. keep it up!
It's my honor and pleasure!!! Thank you for your support of us pooflingers!!!
Really nice thank you. I have seen this style of raised beds before with wood chips and even torn cardboard boxes. Congrats on your new grow space.
This is so cool! The only reason to water a lawn.
Hi! I am a robot. I just upvoted you! I found similar content that readers might be interested in:
https://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/many-benefits-hugelkultur
Very interesting! :) I'll try this method myself, just to see how it goes! :)