I was recently turned on to a permaculture technique called hugelkultur where logs and untreated wood are buried under the soil.  As the wood decomposes is acts as a kind of slow-releasing sponge where it provides moisture and nutrients.  Supposedly after a year or so a good hugelkultur mound will eliminate the need for most irrigation or additional watering.  It is also supposed to deepen the flavors of the foods that are grown in those beds.  It’s really exciting!  I knew that keeping that huge pile of branches and debris from the storm this spring would eventually amount to something other than an eyesore.  I’m going to give it a try and bury the sticks in our raised beds below the compost.

A great tip if you live in an area that won’t allow you to have a traditional raised hugelkultur bed is to put the logs in a trench and cover with soil so that it ends up being ground level.

Check out the video below and I’ll make sure to let you know how it turned out in the spring!