In areas with a cold climate, with significant winter frosts, the cultivation of certain plants is very difficult. For this reason, the farmers had to think of a means to have some plants to be able to use them in the design of gardens, or to have in the garden.
Thus was born hugelkultur, a technique that also helps improve the soil by providing organic material. And if this were not enough, it can also be used in warm climate areas, as it also prevents excessive water consumption.
It is a very simple thing to do. They are mainly used branches and trunks, but any type of vegetable waste can be useful to us.
Proceed as follows:
- First we will have to level the ground where we want to have the cultivation bed, we can even lower it a bit.
- Next, we will place the thickest logs.
- Later, we will cover them with manure, compost or any other organic material.
- We will put thin branches on top.
- In the remaining gaps, we will introduce leaves.
- We will put a layer of earth of approximately five centimeters.
- We cover it with straw.
- And finally we will moisten everything well with water.
For the technique to be effective, we must avoid those so-called allelopathic plants. They are those that do not allow other plants that are around them to live properly. Some examples of these allelopathic plants are: carob, walnut, cedar, cherry.
Although plants can be placed once it is finished, the ideal is to wait a few months or even a year, since this way the branches and trunks will have begun to decompose and the earth will have more nutrients to contribute to the plants that we want to put.
It is a technique that will undoubtedly make it easier for many farmers and gardeners to have their plants in perfect health.
What did you think of the hugelkultur? Did you know him?
More information - Techniques for planting trees