build Hugelkultur before winter?

OK, I've been lurking long enough and I'm going to stop threatening and actually start doing something. I have a bad back and want my land to work for me, not the other way around.

So, I want to start some hugelkultur mounds in the back yard.

We live in southwest Michigan and fall is already here and winter is just around the corner.

Should I start the mounds now, just as the leaves are starting to fall? Or should I wait until the snow starts melting?

I'm guessing your answers will be to start them NOW!

Second question, should I plant the seeds now or wait until spring?

start now, and you can still plant things like winter wheat, winter rye, cover crops, perennial starts, perennial seeds, etc. (I'm North of you North of Cadillac MI)

I agree. Start now. In the spring, all of that melting snow will be feeding your beds long before the soil can be worked.

Hey Adam,

Hugelkultur beds store huge amounts of water in all of that organic matter. Get it done now and you'll get to keep a lot of the water from the Spring rains which should get you through the summer using far less water.

Chris