Buried logs act like sponges — they absorb moisture and release it slowly to roots.
BUILDING LAYERS:
– Base layer: large logs and thick branches (hardwood lasts longest)
– Second layer: smaller sticks, twigs, wood chips
– Third layer: leaves, grass clippings, straw
– Top layer: compost and garden soil 6-8 inches deep
MOUND SHAPE:
– Length runs north-south for even sun exposure
– Height typically 3-4 feet when freshly built
– Sides slope at 45 degrees for stability
– Settles about 30% in the first year
WATER BEHAVIOR:
– Fresh wood absorbs rain and stores it underground
– Roots grow toward the moisture deep in the mound
– Surface dries quickly but core stays damp
– Older mounds need almost no supplemental watering
BEST CROPS:
– Year one: squash, pumpkins, melons (heavy feeders thrive)
– Year two: tomatoes, cucumbers, beans
– Year three onward: nearly anything — soil matures rich and loose
Hugelkultur turns yard waste into a self-watering growing system.
One afternoon of stacking creates years of low-maintenance harvests.
