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 thisOctober 12, 2011
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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.Date July 25, 2014
