Reflecting upon the course of action I have planned to get the pond up and running, and seeing how big the rhubarb crown is (it’s nearly a foot deep), I decided another hugel bed had to go. In other words, I needed to dig out the wood placed under the soil where I intend to replant the rhubarb.
I was quite surprised by how little wood there appeared to be in this spot. Granted, some of the smaller pieces may have rotted sufficiently to be indistinguishable from general detritus in the soil. But the pile had seemed much bigger when it went in!
Thus, I am glad that I am re-amassing wood for the hugel bed I plan to build in the winter. I already had some and with two emptied beds, plus the clippings from pruning the apple trees, I hope the new bed will be the most substantial and long-lasting.
Anyway, with the wood cleared from the soon-to-be rhubarb patch, I can now start digging the hole for the pond. Whooppee!
Growing out of chaos 
Congrats on your progress, Helen.
Thank you, Cynthia 😊
Your plan is moving forward, Helen. Good for you.
Yes, little by little – squeezing in a job here and there.
Well done, Helen! When we moved our rhubarb a few years ago we were amazed at the vast size of the roots and how deep we had to dig.
Yes, they are amazingly big roots. aren’t they!
😀
Very interesting (and encouraging) about the wood – i must follow your example and do more about hugeling! It will work well to break up our clay. Looking forward to see the pond taking shape.
Hi Martin,
Thanks for your interest in my hugel beds. The topsoil is sandy loam and was undoubtedly shaved off by the house builders, as it is only about a foot in depth. And of course, being sandy loam, water and nutrient retention is poor. So, I’m hoping in the long run to build more water retentive soil, which ideally will also be deeper.
Anyway, good luck with your hugelculture. I think it is a better method than bags of manure and compost for improving soil, as long as the wood rots 😊.