Mini-hugel SUCCESS in SE Louisiana / New Orleans backyard urban foolishness

Howdy y'all, I have been wanting to share my results on this project.  Been living here 3 years and have built an awesome little pocket garden..  Seeing increased biodiversity that is unprecedented - this year I have the additional benefit of insect fodder (several tall patches of grass and 'weeds' which i see is habitat...

but the coolest part has been finally Obtaining A Yield!  Plus now I have something to brag about..  ANyway I hope someone gets a kick out of this!

 If you live in the area and want to come play, just give me a holler


Been having difficulty getting this thing on.   So I'll just go one mini berm at a time!  Starting with the first one.

Plant species I knowingly encouraged here:


Banana Musa Bajoo from Florida Hill nursery  (has survived 2 years and is reproducing, but no flower or fruit yet)

Veriegated "Pink" lemon unknown supplier - salvaged

Eugenia (salvaged)

Lemongrass grown from retail nursery stock

Squash (renee's garden seeds)

Red Okra (RG)

Rainbow corn (RG)

In the past I also grew Citronella in this bed and some annual flowers.


Have spotted a frog and many lizards making their home here.

The Second Berm, was partially built in 2016 and 17, including having one blackberry put in, and then "finished" this year .  I knew it was more for edibles, so I used wood that was not finished or painted .  Mostly 'raw' tree parts when I could but some lumber scrap too.  Also incorporates a tire into one edge. Not sure why but there it is.  This is one of two berms which now form a living wall between my backyard and the street behind.  

Cultivated Species  include:

Amethyst Falls wisteria

morning glory vines (bright purple)

lavender (french)

Golden Fig tree

2 different Blackberry bushes (one of which fruited this year and was delicious) from FLorida Hill nursery

rainbow corn from (Renee Garden)

Sweet Olive

hybrid cajun hibiscus "April Dawn"  blooms silvery pink ( from Dupont)

jumbo mixed sunflowers (Renee Garden)

Red Okra (RG)
Purple Bush beans (RG)

Also added a new banana (dwarf/ Apple from Flordia Hill), which has done great and already outgrowing it's neghbors!! Go go gadget bananas!

Third Berm , built entirely this year.  Its the prettiest one, Because I knew what the crap I was doing by this point. (sort of)  I wanted to engage the pedestrian walkway in a charming, beautiful and pleasurable view.  So lots of flowers and non edibles were included.  It is also an extension of the blackberry bramble scheme as it has a third varietal installed inside the stacked tires on the right hand side. Outer corner.  I planted it outside because it is ultimately for the community of the future ^_^ #ubuntu

This is all open source agriculture, so check out my process.  Please do Try it at home!

Feat' Species include:

Pink Honeysuckle from nursery stock, is placed in the corner by the wooden fence.  Eventually I want it to cover the fence !  

Eugenia (salvaged)

double yield cucumbers (RG)

Rainbow corn (RG)

Dianthus, purple

pink and red zinnias (planted under blackberry)

frostproof gardenia  <3

blue columbine (now dead)

squash - they struggle to outpace the pests .  Meh

yellow climbing nasturtiums.  (Not pictured yet)

Red cypress vine.  Beautiful fluffy vine with red flowers.  Ends up covering the bean tree frame and lacing through corn and sunflowers!

one small pot of sweet potato only!  It will take over BEAUTIFULLY in this environment.  I grew so much last year and it did feed me although I got tired of eating it.  First world problems

Guava tree , nursery stock

4 types of beans, both bush and pole.  Yello, green and purple (all from RG), as well as red kidney beans from Camellia

Jumbo mixed color sunflowers from Renee Garden - have already yielded bunches o' seeds !!  Huzzah

Very nicely done!  Great results, and you'll probably be improving the soil for years to come.   I'm jealous of that banana!!

THIRD berm update:  Had a great summer with the red and white cypress flower vines filling in the entire fence thickly.  They shaded out the veggies, predicatbly, and in the end I cut them all off.  In future,will plant solitaire in a pot to resitrict reach, it got out of control real easy :P
I cut the vines off at the ground to allow sun for my fall veggies.  ( few tubers,  kale , chicory, and other greens from groworganic.com)  I also tucked in some cute annuals to bring joy to the street view. (And my view of course)

ALSO sucess with yellow Nasturtium in a basket on fire escape, which I have been eating plentifully for months now. (eh is that permaculture?)


NO stolen plants , yet.  Tacit approval of neighborhood achieved!


This is my progress as of NOVEMBER 2018.  I am adding on , piling wood to form yet another planting area/ living fence.

First Berm , end of year 2018 update.

I want these newer pics to be after the first ones... Taken around fall season 2018

MORE 2018 fall/ cool season planting pics