Above ground hillside hugelkultur

The best space I have for my first HK is on a slope at the top of which are two spruce trees. I can't dig because of the roots and since it's kind of bare I thought an above ground mound could work, realizing the exposed base would dry out more than a buried one. Growing there now is a variety of weedy grasses that are rather difficult to remove. Wondering if I cover them with thick layers of newspaper and then the wood layers, etc., would give me good results? I humbly seek your advice, good growers!

Howdy Pam, welcome to permies !

Do you have any soil, compost, etc. that you could move from another spot, to bury the logs with?

Yes I have compost and lots of 'almost compost'.

I will be doing something similar this year, Pam. I will be making sure that the hugel bed is on contour, at least so much so that a small, level swale in front of it can absorb some water before it washes out my hugel bed. This should also help to mitigate any drying out. The overflow from that swale is going to be aimed around the side of the bed and into a rain garden. One thing to keep in mind when putting Hugelkultur on a hill is that you will inevitably be creating a frost pocket. Cold air moves like water down slopes, only slower. If you are already in a colder climate, this may be cause for concern, or at least some sort of guideline when planning your plantings for that area.

Sounds good pam. Thick newspaper or cardboard would do nicely. You'll probably want that layer to fall into wherever your walking path will be as well.. Biggest thing would be to plant something right away that's beneficial to you and the soil and will compete with your undesirable weeds.. Something to fill the niche.

Yeah one of the advantages of trenching the mounds is that you have soil to cover your wood with! Shoot for at least 6in of soil above your large wood scraps... I don't worry about the small once sticking out everywhere..

Here are pictures of some mini-hugel-swales

food forest makings >> https://permies.com/t/30879/hugelkultur/Cold-climate-hugelculture-contour-contour (I'm towards bottom of thread.. )