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'''Hugelkulture''' is the practice of [[composting]] large woody material to create a [[raised garden bed]]. It is a way of dealing with excess amounts of woody [[garden wastes]], for example prunings, hedge clippings, [[brassica]] stems, or brashwood.
'''Hügelkultur''' (also spelled '''huegelkultur''', roughly translated from [[German]] as "hill culture") is the practice of [[composting]] large woody material to create a [[raised garden bed]]. It is a way of dealing with excess amounts of woody [[garden wastes]], for example prunings, hedge clippings, [[brassica]] stems, or brushwood.
 
The name comes from [[German]] - ''hügelkultur'' translates as "hill culture".


The technique involves digging a circular trench about 1' (30 cm) deep and 5' (1.5 m) wide, in the centre of which is dug another hole 1' (30 cm) deep hole. The material is piled in. Turf ([[grass]]) is then stacked face down on top, then layers of [[compost]], well rotted leaves and manure, etc as available. The layers break down slowly and creating rich [[humus]] over four or five years. It is claimed that this is ideal for growing hungry crops such as [[zucchinis]] (courgettes) or [[strawberries]].
The technique involves digging a circular trench about 1' (30 cm) deep and 5' (1.5 m) wide, in the centre of which is dug another hole 1' (30 cm) deep hole. The material is piled in. Turf ([[grass]]) is then stacked face down on top, then layers of [[compost]], well rotted leaves and manure, etc as available. The layers break down slowly and creating rich [[humus]] over four or five years. It is claimed that this is ideal for growing hungry crops such as [[zucchinis]] (courgettes) or [[strawberries]].


As the years pass, the deep soil of the raised bed becomes incredibly rich and loaded with soil life. As the wood shrinks, it makes more tiny air pockets - so your hugelkultur becomes self [[tilling]]. The first few years, the composting process will slightly warm the soil giving a slightly longer growing season, in [[temperate]] and [[cold climates]].  
As the years pass, the deep soil of the raised bed becomes incredibly rich and loaded with soil life. As the wood shrinks, it makes more tiny air pockets - so your ''hügelkultur'' becomes self [[tilling]]. The first few years, the composting process will slightly warm the soil giving a slightly longer growing season, in [[temperate]] and [[cold climates]].  


== Woods containing natural toxins ==


== Woods containing natural toxins ==
Pine and fir will have some levels of tannins, however sawdust from these woods are successfully used in composts, typically being allowed to age before mixing with other ingredients.
Pine and fir will have some levels of tannins, but sawdust from these woods are successfully used in composts, typically being allowed to age before mixing with other ingredients.


Wood is high in carbon and will consume nitrogen during composting. This is much less of an issue (if at all) with well rotted wood.
Wood is high in carbon and will consume nitrogen during composting. This is much less of an issue (if at all) with well rotted wood.


Note that some woods contain natural toxins and are [[allelopathic]]. These do break down eventually, though it may take years or decades.  
Note that some woods contain natural toxins and are [[allelopathic]]. These do break down eventually, though it may take years or decades. Allelopathic trees include:  
 
Some allelopathic trees:  


Most or all [[cedars]] (Cypress,Redwood, Sequoia), [[camphor wood]], [[black locust]], [[black cherry]], [[Eucalyptus]], [[tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)]] [[Black walnut (Juglans nigra)]] [[California Pepper Tree (Peruvian and Brasilian)]] [[Siberian Elm]].
* most or all [[cedars]] (cypress, redwood, sequoia)
* [[camphor wood]]
* [[black locust]]
* [[black cherry]]
* [[eucalyptus]]
* [[tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)]]
* [[black walnut (Juglans nigra)]]
* [[California pepper tree (Peruvian and Brasilian)]]
* [[Siberian Elm]]


==Other materials to avoid==
== Other materials to avoid ==


Avoid using living parts of trees or plants that will sprout and colonize your new Hugelkultur bed, such as Willows, acacia or Nutsedge.  If you must use them, make sure they are thoroughly dead first.
Avoid using living parts of trees or plants that will sprout and colonize your new ''hügelkultur'' bed, such as [[willow]]s, [[acacia]], [[nutsedge]], [[bamboo]], or [[rubus]] species.  If you must use them, make sure they are thoroughly dead first.


== Where used ==
== Where used ==


[[Sepp Holzer]] uses this technique in his terraces and raised beds video [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjNGhEzmNdk], though he didn't use the word hugelkultur.
[[Sepp Holzer]] uses this technique in his terraces and raised beds video [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjNGhEzmNdk], though he didn't use the word ''hügelkultur''.


== External links ==
== External links ==
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* [http://www.permies.com/t/17/permaculture/hugelkultur forum on Hugelkultur at permies.com]
* [http://www.permies.com/t/17/permaculture/hugelkultur forum on Hugelkultur at permies.com]
{{stub}}


[[Category:Wood]]
[[Category:Wood]]
[[Category:Composting]]
[[Category:Composting]]
[[Category:Permaculture techniques]]

Revision as of 03:55, 27 July 2016

Hügelkultur (also spelled huegelkultur, roughly translated from German as "hill culture") is the practice of composting large woody material to create a raised garden bed. It is a way of dealing with excess amounts of woody garden wastes, for example prunings, hedge clippings, brassica stems, or brushwood.

The technique involves digging a circular trench about 1' (30 cm) deep and 5' (1.5 m) wide, in the centre of which is dug another hole 1' (30 cm) deep hole. The material is piled in. Turf (grass) is then stacked face down on top, then layers of compost, well rotted leaves and manure, etc as available. The layers break down slowly and creating rich humus over four or five years. It is claimed that this is ideal for growing hungry crops such as zucchinis (courgettes) or strawberries.

As the years pass, the deep soil of the raised bed becomes incredibly rich and loaded with soil life. As the wood shrinks, it makes more tiny air pockets - so your hügelkultur becomes self tilling. The first few years, the composting process will slightly warm the soil giving a slightly longer growing season, in temperate and cold climates.

Woods containing natural toxins

Pine and fir will have some levels of tannins, however sawdust from these woods are successfully used in composts, typically being allowed to age before mixing with other ingredients.

Wood is high in carbon and will consume nitrogen during composting. This is much less of an issue (if at all) with well rotted wood.

Note that some woods contain natural toxins and are allelopathic. These do break down eventually, though it may take years or decades. Allelopathic trees include:

Other materials to avoid

Avoid using living parts of trees or plants that will sprout and colonize your new hügelkultur bed, such as willows, acacia, nutsedge, bamboo, or rubus species. If you must use them, make sure they are thoroughly dead first.

Where used

Sepp Holzer uses this technique in his terraces and raised beds video [1], though he didn't use the word hügelkultur.

External links

  • hugelkultur - richsoil.com article with explanation and instructions, including pictures and video.
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