Hugel mounds make incredible gardens!
- They can be enlarged at any time to expand production area.
- They are suitable to a variety of environments.
- They create richer and richer soil over time.
- They don't need fertilizer.
- They hold moisture well.
- They retain warmth.
As the inner material breaks down, top layers of mulch and dirt filter down into the newly created space--hugel mounds are self-composting AND self-tilling!
Plants THRIVE on hugel mounds!
Ideally, your new hugel mound garden needs some time to settle in. Allow it to rest for some months before planting crops directly on it. Build a hugel mound in the spring for planting in the fall!
Here are 4 steps for HOW TO BUILD A HUGEL MOUND:
Your hugel mound will be ready for planting after a few months of settling.
Happy Gardening!
Wow....great post idea. I was just about to get a Hugelkulture post together from my garden. My last post has a picture of my hugel mound.
Beautiful, your garden is looking really lovely @jonnyrevolution!
This is amazing, I can't wait to start building one!
Grateful to inspire, @lumlum85! Hugel mounds are great ways to use the brush you might clear from a general property clean up, or if you have a lot of downed trees/branches after a storm. Hope you have a great time building yours!
This looks like a great way to garden. Ty for the info.
You're welcome, @anonymousshadow!
Very interesting technique! So how long is the mound good for ? Can you use it for multiple years or do you have to create a new one each year?
They last for years if not decades, @garden-to-eat! It creates super fertile soil as the woody matter starts to break down, and you can even get a slightly longer growing season because heat is generated as the material composts itself! These are very exciting additions to the garden!
That's awesome! My garden is all raised beds so and I don't really have room to try this but maybe some day as the boxes deteriorate. Thanks
You're welcome!
Great info.
Thanks so much.
You're welcome, @janiko!
@gardenofeden
I don't know a lot about gardening but this is really good info! I think it's important to be able to know how to successfully grow a garden that will produce enough to feed your family. Excellent post!
Upvoted and followed
Thanks for your support, @breakingtonight! Food production is a key element of a sustainable life, and we're grateful that our gardens produce much more than we can consume. Sharing the bounty is one of the funnest aspects of gardening!!!
You're quite welcome, @gardenofeden
I am sure it is very rewarding and I encourage you to keep up the wonderful work you are doing! :)
Appreciate the encouragement~*~
Gladly!
Another great Post ! I would recommend that any and everyone get the book, Square Foot Gardening. This is one of the most valuable books I have ever seen ! Yes, it is really that good ! Every gardener NEEDS this book.
Read More, Reason More ... JTS
Thanks, @jtstreetman!
I am really sorry I didn't mention what a great idea that was to trench and USE limbs, stumps etc for water retention ! Excellent idea. so many people, even all over america waste so much water through evaporation from sprinkling water, which increases heat on the surface of the soil. Really not good for plants on those hot summer days, and wasting water. Your plan is great for water retention and feeding plants. The raised bed idea has always been a good one, you just take it to another level. VERY WELL DONE Indeed ! (And Yes I know how hot it gets in Arlington) You guys are ROCKIN IT ! I am so glad to be back on the net and seeing you all still going strong. Gratz !
Read More, Reason More ... JTS
Excellent points, @jtstreetman, and water retention is indeed a valuable property of the hugel mound - just one reason we make them part of our garden plan!
thank you...this is so important as we may have to consider feeding ourselves in this new world and to be ready for a time when food may not be in markets timelly
this! time is short
you are so correct...sad to say
You're welcome, @floridanow! Food production/food freedom is vital for the sustainable home, and we're happy to share our wealth of knowledge on the subject. Foraging is another important skill, even for those who don't consider themselves proper gardeners. Highly recommend learning about the edible and medicinal plants in your area now, as you won't have to wait for the plants you plant to grow before reaping nature's bounty :)
lord ...I wish I knew this skill. It is acquired over time?
Educate yourself and practice! It's great fun and super FREE to go out into nature with friends and/or family and identify, gather, and utilize the plants you learn about.
do you suggest certain types for the Florida climate...?
Coconuts from palm trees!! One of the most abundant and nutritious plants in Florida.
omg....i have to learn to open one...not easy :-)
Easy is a state of mind. It's pretty fun to go to town with a machete or cleaver! And the payoff with a coconut is totally worth it :)
beautiful Huegls! how high do yours end up after trenching first and then mounding. some of the issues I have doing Huegls are not having enough soil to make a proper mound after stacking wood. One of the pitfalls of a suburban setting I think.
Thank you, @cavemanrob! Ours are several feet high - some are about 6 feet before settling.
Interesting.. I cannot wait to show this to my husband. We often try different gardening techniques.
This is a good one! Blessings, @rebeccabe~*~
showed my husband.. he sad wow .. thanks
You're welcome, husband!
he signed up and we are waiting for his approval to get in here ..