PDC LESSON 2.56 DESIGN – HUGELKULTUR Part -2- THE GREATNESS

 

PERMACULTURE COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

PDC LESSON 2.56 DESIGN – HUGELKULTUR Part -2- THE GREATNESS

1. Woody base

Hugelkultur raised beds are dependent on a wooden foundation. This includes things like tree clippings, tree trunks, clean scrap wood or even fallen trees.

The slow breakdown of this woody base maintains soil fertility and moisture.

 

2. Size

You can make your Hugelkultur big or small, but some of them have been built six feet tall! In some cases, mound culture raised beds are built over entire fallen trees. While the sky is the limit for building a knoll culture, most people only have room for knoll beds that are a foot or two tall - and that's totally fine!

3. Steep sloping sides

Hugelkultur beds are also equipped with steeply sloping sides. Inclining the sides by 45 degrees is believed to reduce soil compaction over time and increase soil oxygenation.

4. Moisture retention

The woody base of the bed of mounds slowly breaks down over time - the cellulose and lignin-eating fungi slowly consume the woody base material, turning the trunks, branches and chips into spongy-filled masses with tiny air pockets. These tiny air pockets create excellent moisture reservoirs that encourage strong plant root growth. Even in dry climates, the smallest hills can go weeks without additional watering. Large hills, on the other hand, can support lush growth through an entire summer without additional water.

Moisture retention strong for years or even decades.