Hugelkultur
I first heard about hugelkultur in 2012 through friends on Facebook. It took me no time at all to decide I wanted to try it. Khym and I begged some rotting wood from two different friends to get us started... and it's still growing!
Briefly, the premise of hugelkultur is that you are creating a permaculture fixture that (after the first year) will not need watering (because the wood inside will retain the moisture) and will extend your growing season (because of the composting heat of said wood). This cumbersome looking pile will become a fun hill of growing goodies. I wished that I had more soil so I could more quickly finish it off that first year... I'm sure the neighbors will enjoy the finished product more easily than that original lump of brown. Though I'm guessing (from the conversations I've had) that the curiosity has given them plenty to think and talk about. At least one fellow Ohioan knew exactly what this was without being told. So, see? I'm not that unique and rare a bird ;)
Briefly, the premise of hugelkultur is that you are creating a permaculture fixture that (after the first year) will not need watering (because the wood inside will retain the moisture) and will extend your growing season (because of the composting heat of said wood). This cumbersome looking pile will become a fun hill of growing goodies. I wished that I had more soil so I could more quickly finish it off that first year... I'm sure the neighbors will enjoy the finished product more easily than that original lump of brown. Though I'm guessing (from the conversations I've had) that the curiosity has given them plenty to think and talk about. At least one fellow Ohioan knew exactly what this was without being told. So, see? I'm not that unique and rare a bird ;)
