This question might apply more to
permaculture in general. Assuming that interplanting is the optimal way to use
hugelkultur, how practical is it if you want to
sell your extra produce? The successful small-scale market gardeners that I am familiar with (e.g., J. Fortier who wrote the most recent popular book on it) have a highly regimented growing system that uses consistent soil mixes, cultivated beds, and mostly mono-cropping. Their justification is the need for efficiency and consistent, predictable quality. I have not been able to find much info on how practical
hugelkultur is when it comes to harvesting and marketing a consistently good crop of particular vegetables. Even if you planted only one crop on a given mound, for example, the plants might grow differently depending on whether they are down low or on top of the mound. Plus, no two mounds are exactly alike unless you use the exact same design and biomass inputs. I can see how this is most important in a CSA arrangement as opposed to just showing up at the farmer's market with whatever you have that day. How well is hugelkultur working out for those of you who sell your produce? Is the low cost of production compelling?
My situation: about an acre and a half of cleared, gently sloping
land and 16 acres of forest (lotsa
wood to be cleared).