Lief Kamhout

So, I have 7 acres of land I acquired. Its in pretty poor condition. Was tilled by multiple groups in the past trying to get something out of it, but always with no luck.

The forested areas where ravaged by miners, and clear cut, there is no old growth and just densely packed small trees and the occasional moderate sized one.

the hillsides where the forest is, has a about a half inch of pine needles on it, and below that is just gravel, lots and lots of gravel.

the field is just dry dirt with rocks in it that nothing really wants to grow on it seems.

I'm doing different hugelkulture mounds in the field, and possibly some small ones on the hill.

I'm trying to figure out good manure crops that I can spread around to start working up a humus layer.

I'm pretty sure I can get things going in the field... but the hills are basically rocks and gravel, likely from all the roads and mining done up there, but maybe its natural.

I might just be mostly talking out loud at this point, but maybe someone has a good idea of how to get something going on these gravely locations.

Been busy so I haven't gotten around to adding to this.

Biomass in the form of rotting and fresh'ish logs have been added to fill the trench.

Trench is 6 feet (nearly 2m) wide 3-4 feet (roughly 1m) deep, and roughly 150 feet (45m) long.

I got a little carried away with digging down at first, but decided to just go with it due to the massive amount of debris in my surrounding forest.

I've kept cedar out on the advice that it is allelopathic, I'm now hearing that is not the case, and it just doesn't rot quickly. Curious to why that is, research needed.

We recently had to clear a lot of the smaller trees from near my home in an effort to keep insurance, they are bailing on most rural home owners due to the severity of fire.

I've been packing the logs with dirt in between them as best as I can, using sprinklers to try and help carry the dirt into pockets.

I've removed larger rocks, and built a large sifter that I put over the trench to dump dirt onto, it had mixed success and I eventually abandoned it.

I have more logs to add, and then I will be bucking up small sticks and leaves to place over them, and then finally covering with the better quality dirt I have.

Work was going quickly at first, but is starting to slow down, that's a lot of wood.

Anyone wanna come move sticks? lol

Thanks, I'll include your suggestions in my notes.

I'll take some reference pictures while working tomorrow.

I recall in one of Sepp's books him using larger rocks as heat storage. Placed on mounds and near plants to give them some warmth later into the day. The large rocks I remove will be applied to this, others will be used for small decorative/pollinator gardens near my abode.

I have not, I've read (mostly) one of his books. Its where I acquired the desire to get in on the hugelkulture party. I live far off the grid and the internet is all over the place, videos are often a no go, and I have a limited allowance of internet juice.

I'm going to remove larger rocks, and the extremely rocky soils I'll swap with less rocky soil. Some of the rocky soils I have are basically just rocks with a pinch of dirt.

If I find the time before starting to add dirt back to the biomass, I'll attempt to build a sifter.

Yo,

Currently excavating in preparation for some Hugel mounds. Rock content varies from moderate to high.

I'm planning on gathering dirt from less rocky areas and swapping it with the rockier dirt.

I have also considered building a large sifter to 'filter' out the rocks.

If anyone has been in a similar situation and has perhaps left the rocks in, what was the result?

Thank you for your time.

Soil acidity not a concern from acidic biomass.

Gaps in mass create potential of drying. Consider using duff with dirt and compost as filler.

Soil on site is excessively rocky, consider excavation in other locations to find more appropriate soil. Attempt to gather fill dirt from another parties site.

Seek information on result of using rocky soil in mounds. Assume it is best to avoid. Potential consideration, construction of large sifter for stone removal.

Do not plant trees on top or side of mound. Seek info on appropriate proximity of trees to mounds. Will trees in vicinity benefit from mounds?

Year close to end, attempt to plant into mound once completed, or merely mulch. Should mound be completed in spring? Possibly prep area and organize biomass by size, lay mounds early spring. More info needed.

I'm working up plans for Hugel mounds on my property. Decided to record my thoughts somewhere in the open, possibly benefiting from others experience.
My knowledge in agriculture is non existent, my past experiences are entirely business and management.

Large open area, slight variable slope to the west. Ground is permeable with moderately high stone content. Eastern hill slope delays morning sun exposure, western slope expedites loss of sun in evening. Wind generally travels north to south, strongest current during late afternoon, early evening.

Considering starting mounds on the north eastern side of the field, traveling west briefly and then curving to travel south for the majority of its length. At its end it will then curve westward. two or three rows following this pattern.

Majority of mound traveling north/south to allow consistent amount of sun exposure on both sides. Considered the curvature at the end to potentially mitigate drying from wind flow/wind tunneling. Would also look nicer(to me) than straight lines.

Do mounds benefit from level ground? If so, at what point does a slope become a negative? The mounds have a varying decrease in elevation from beginning to end. Potential of drip feed.

Minor excavation, 5-6' wide 1-2' deep. Mounds stacked 5'-6' high. Bulk of biomass is coniferous, pine and spruce. Cedar has been identified and removed from stockpile. Small amounts of oak, madrone, and manzinita. Pondering affects of pine/spruce and soil acidity. Blueberries?



If you chose to read this, thank you for your time.
I appreciate any thoughts or questions.