Some random thoughts on hugelculture that I would love some input on:
- Paul said in a podcast that a two foot high bed would give you 2 weeks additional growth on either side of the season. So a 2 foot bed would extend your season up to one month in total. Would a 6 foot bed potentially give you and additional 3 months of growth? It seems to make sense as raised beds act as thermal batteries warming up before the surrounding ground level soil -- creating micro-climates in the soil.
- raised beds are best for veggies and fruits but grains may be better suited on flat field grown in succession and polyculture of course.
- What should the base width of a 6 foot bed be? I am aiming for 4 feet. That would mean you would effectively triple your growing space! You go from 4 feet of flat land to at least 12 feet of "edge" land. Possibly triple production simply with some mounds with rotting stuff in them
- Fukuoka practiced hugelculture! Not only did he bury organic matter, he built "ridges" or mounds with wood in them. Great minds.
- Organic matter hold on to water for a long, long time. I have some bails of hay that got wet last spring, almost 6 months with no rain. Many parts are still moist and filled with earth worms.
