Hügelkultur Raised Beds

[1cock2hens]

The reason I am pointing out the incorrect terminology is not to prove a point, it is to aid in the dissemination of information.

Imagine you were taught that apples were called pears as of 20 years ago and so you tried searching pears to learn more about apples. You would find information on trees, information on fruit. So in a way you are finding bits of information you are looking for that are kinda relevant but not giving you the information you are searching for. If you find out they are actually called apples you can research more stuff that is historically relevant and find exactly what you have been searching for


Is there a reason you started this thread instead of using the other hugelkultur and alternative gardening thread?

 

[fuzzi]

Is there a reason you started this thread instead of using the other hugelkultur and alternative gardening thread?

BYC is a big place, with lots of threads...hundreds, nay, thousands of threads.

And anyone can create a thread, they don't have to post within existing threads.

So, where is this Hugelkulture and alternative gardening thread you speak of?

 

[gtaus]

Is there a reason you started this thread instead of using the other hugelkultur and alternative gardening thread?

Yes, I stated the reason in my initial post....

Addendum: I originally posted this on the What did you do in the garden today? thread. But that thread moves too fast, topics are quickly forgotten, and I thought this topic might be better served if I started a separate thread.

I doubt any comments or consideration to this specific topic would have been given much time on the "gardening" thread that so many of us take advantage of all the time. That thread moves too fast, and people typically don't go back and read pages and pages of posts if they miss a day or two. I know I don't have that kind of time. You are lucky to get a comment or two on any subject you post there. Proving my point, this topic on hügelkultur raised beds is now on page 6, but with lots of time for people to comment and follow if they wish.

BYC is a big place, with lots of threads...hundreds, nay, thousands of threads.

And anyone can create a thread, they don't have to post within existing threads.

So, where is this Hugelkulture and alternative gardening thread you speak of?

I am not aware of any specific hügelkultur thread, but even so, I know many people don't want to go back and resurrect a dead thread on a topic discussed long ago. I think it's better to start a new thread with current members and information.

And yes, I understand that many threads here on BYC may have been discussed to death in the past, but the problem comes when you want to post "new" information. I have found that most members prefer to respond to a new thread rather than trying to bring back to life an older discussion.

Literally keyhole planters but people are being stubborn about the name and trying to be hip

Thank you. I will have to tell Dear Wife that someone thinks I'm using hip language!

The reason I am pointing out the incorrect terminology is not to prove a point, it is to aid in the dissemination of information.

Oh, I understand the need to try to be precise in how we communicate. There is the never ending need to clarify if a person uses dry deep bedding in the coop as litter, or using the moist active composting deep litter method in the coop. Not the same, but the terms are too often interchanged. At least, that is what I have found.

Having said that, words and meaning can evolve over years. If I told you that I took my Mustang into town, you would most likely assume I drove my car, not saddled up my horse for the trip.

I do think I am using the term hügelkultur raised bed as it is currently used, and I even cited the online dictionary definition which explains how the term is currently used.

Additionally, I think using the term keyhole raised bed for my method would be incorrect as currently defined...

When I say hügelkultur raised beds, I believe most people know immediately that I am using logs in the base of my raised bed.

I do admit that I have only been using these raised bed methods and terminology for less than 10 years. I am using the vocabulary as I understand it currently being used here on the BYC forums and elsewhere like YouTube. I don't have the benefit of 20+ years of gardening knowledge despite my age.

 

[akroberts1085]

I'm happy that you started this post. It's been giving me a lot of ideas that I probably wouldn't have thought of on my own. Trying to figure out better ways to garden and grow more of my own food is my #1 goal. The picture of the wood keyhole garden bed that's one I believe I will do. Thank you

 

[Nellzmom]

I have been using a Hügelkultur bed for perennials without realizing it until I read this thread. I wanted a more manageable perennial bed than my in-ground one (which is a mess), so I got one of the Tractor Supply 6-foot stock tanks, filled it half way with rotting logs from our wood pile, dumped in compost and garden clippings, then purchased raised bed soil to plant my flowers in. I put the logs in to use up the space. Didn’t realize they could be beneficial!

I planted coneflowers, gaura, yarrow, bee balm, goldenrod, and Asclepius. They’ve been in there two years;this spring will start their 3rd year. The plants don’t get as big as they would in the ground, which I assume is due to less space. But they are healthy and easy to maintain. Each spring I’ve put in chicken yard compost followed by pine bark nuggets to conserve water.

Now that I know how to do the Hugelkultur beds correctly, I’ll see if I can get hubby to make me one for tomatoes and peppers, and use up the rest of those logs.

Thanks for the great info and ideas!

 

[1cock2hens]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ther-non-conventional-garden-methods.1114524/

That is the original natural gardening thread which includes hugelkulture

 

[gtaus]

I'm happy that you started this post. It's been giving me a lot of ideas that I probably wouldn't have thought of on my own. Trying to figure out better ways to garden and grow more of my own food is my #1 goal.

I am always looking for better ways to garden. As I get older, things like taller raised beds are just easier for me to work with. Using the hügelkultur method of filling my raised beds has been a positive improvement. My plants grow better and I saved lots of money using the logs as fill.

 

[gtaus]

Now that I know how to do the Hugelkultur beds correctly, I’ll see if I can get hubby to make me one for tomatoes and peppers, and use up the rest of those logs.

I planted tomatoes and peppers in my first year hügelkultur raised beds and they just took off. I credit a lot of that productivity to using good quality topsoil mixed with my chicken run compost. But I also think there is a lot to be said about the wood logs acting like a giant sponge, holding that water, until the plants need it.

In the years that I have started using hügelkultur raised beds, they just seem to get better every year. With the wood logs below decomposing, feeding the soil and retaining water for the roots of the plants, and top filling the raised beds every year with chicken run compost, the soil is being enriched from both on top and below.

 

[gtaus]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ther-non-conventional-garden-methods.1114524/

That is the original natural gardening thread which includes hugelkulture

Thanks for the link. I think it proves my point in that gardening thread was started back in 2015 and has not seen any comments for the past 3-1/2 years. Most threads seem to have a life of their own and come to an end at some point. I just think it is better to open a new thread with new information and discussion on the topic with current BYC members than trying to revive an 8-year-old thread.

It is great that BYC forums retains all that great information for us. So, I hope that link helps some people.

 

[1cock2hens]

I

Thanks for the link. I think it proves my point in that gardening thread was started back in 2015 and has not seen any comments for the past 3-1/2 years. Most threads seem to have a life of their own and come to an end at some point. I just think it is better to open a new thread with new information and discussion on the topic with current BYC members than trying to revive an 8-year-old thread.

It is great that BYC forums retains all that great information for us. So, I hope that link helps some people.

Ts still 60 more pages of information than you have here and a very good source