2 pictures - click to enlarge
Log Swale / Hugelkultur
There is a theory that burying rotting logs can improve the water retention and that plants growing above can tap into that water trapped in the rotting 'sponge' of wood.
Since we had the digger on site I figured we should give it a go - stay tuned for results on this
Since we had the digger on site I figured we should give it a go - stay tuned for results on this
October 12, 2011
Related
Raised woody swale / hugelkultur construction
Details
We used the opportunity of having a small excavator on site recently to construct 5 wood filed raised growing mounds on contour.
This technique is often called hugelkultur and exploits the ability of rotten wood to absorb and hold amazing quantities of water which is later made available to plants growing nearby.
The end result was 5 mounds about 7 meters long and half a meter high, each packed with a full trailer load of rotten willow logs and a wheel barrow of pig manure.
An assortment of fruit trees and berry shrubs has been planted along side in various locations to capitalise on the moisture, slow release of minerals and micro-climate effects of wind, shelter, sun and shade.
This technique is often called hugelkultur and exploits the ability of rotten wood to absorb and hold amazing quantities of water which is later made available to plants growing nearby.
The end result was 5 mounds about 7 meters long and half a meter high, each packed with a full trailer load of rotten willow logs and a wheel barrow of pig manure.
An assortment of fruit trees and berry shrubs has been planted along side in various locations to capitalise on the moisture, slow release of minerals and micro-climate effects of wind, shelter, sun and shade.
Date
July 25, 2014
External inputs
March 31, 2015
One of our aims is to eventually reduce or eliminate the need for external inputs for the orchard and garden. The goal is to keep fertility on site and make the most of that which enters naturally, such as rain and bird droppings. In the meantime, as we work towards this, there is always a use for biodegradable organic matter.
Commonly used materials include: sawdust from local joiner, seaweed from Kaikoura, rotten willow logs from the river, pine needles, organic grain straw, Conway river lime and dried animal manures.
Commonly used materials include: sawdust from local joiner, seaweed from Kaikoura, rotten willow logs from the river, pine needles, organic grain straw, Conway river lime and dried animal manures.