Tag Archives: hugel beds

Rethinking the bokashi

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Helen

For almost three years, I’ve been using a bokashi bin to ferment all manner of food waste for use as fertiliser in the garden. There is no doubt under normal circumstances that the contents of the bin become excellent compost … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged bokashi, hugel beds, rats | 11 Comments

A rat in the hugel bed

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Helen

Two years ago around Christmastime, a rat decided to dig a tunnel into the compost bin. I therefore moved the bin and the rat disappeared. This year, there were again the telltale signs of a rat digging into the bin, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged compost, hugel beds, rats | 13 Comments

One row up!

Posted on December 2, 2017 by Helen

Yesterday, I mentioned the puzzle of the nasturtiums withstanding snow. Now, I notice another phenomenon which intrigues me, although I think the answer to this may be more straightforward. Whilst doing a morning inspection of the back garden, I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged broad beans, conifers, garden birds, hugel beds | 7 Comments

Feathers and environmental protection

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Helen

One of the upsides of the Internet is having access to quality press from around the world. Now, I wouldn’t like to claim that the media are a true reflection of the state of a nation but they can give … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged compost, feather pillows, hugel beds, Iceland, mulch, reforestation | 26 Comments

Found in the fog

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Helen

Brr! This is the first time in years I have truly felt cold outdoors. Freezing fog had been predicted and it was nothing less this morning. However, there was work I felt compelled to do in the garden. Namely, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged hugel beds, spring bulbs, strawberries | 6 Comments

Onions instead of docks

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Helen

My phone’s spell check wanted ‘socks’ instead of ‘docks’ but socks only go in the compost bin, not directly in the garden. The latest sock had to come back out again as it turned out to be more manmade material … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged hugel beds, lavender, onion sets | 2 Comments

Wilting and other matters

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Helen

I’m really pleased with the way the adzuki beans have been growing under the cloche with a kale plant. Notwithstanding, I’d had in mind to dig them in before planting out more pak choi. This hasn’t happened, however, as I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged autumn strawberries, blight, hugel beds | 2 Comments

Hugel bed feedback

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Helen

After collecting in the onions which had been growing on the first hugel bed I’d built (last July), I planted out more kale plants. To be honest, I was shocked at how compacted the soil was on top of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged carrot seed, horticultural fleece, hugel beds, mini polytunnels | 9 Comments

Herb garden ready for planting

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Helen

I think I will sleep well after the amount of digging I did today. The herb garden this morning started out with a good covering of phacelia where I the second hugel bed was to be built. Great biomass for … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged compacted soil, herb garden, hugel beds | 12 Comments