Hugel update

 

 

Well, I do have to admit, it doesn't look like anything has happened, does it?  Since the last time.

 

Believe it or not, I have put on that whole layer of aged compost and put on another cover of straw.  PLUS, I was fortunate enough to find a farmer who would give me some chicken manure!!!  For free!!

 

We just had to ride up to his farm and we were able to get two recycle containers full of fresh chicken manure.  Let me tell you!  IT SMELLS!!!!!

Now, since we aren't planting in this hugel until the spring, I knew it would be okay to use fresh manure.  You need to be careful about that, as it is very high in nitrogen and would burn any plants if you were to use it directly in your garden, you need to compost it first.  That is my idea behind doing this hugel for the fall, as by the time spring rolls around, enough of everything will be well on it's way to nice compost/soil that planting should be fine.

Also, this past weekend, we stacked some of our firewood, and you see the bark that came off of it on the top of the hugel.  That will compost down as well.

I have begun to put a layer of pine needles on top of the hugel and once I have that covered I will add another layer of aged compost.  Then, all I will need to do is water occasionally to keep the pile "cooking" and to encourage all the ground creatures, microbes and fungus to do their work to "grow" my soil for me.

And, as always, my faithful four legged gives his approval.