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Hugel Labyrinth

 
Posts: 54
Location: Michigan, zone 5
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We were just working on installing our first hugel beds, and we were dreaming about what we would do if we had more than just our little city lot to work with (but it isn't really work, so much, is it? Something that brings me so much joy simply cannot be paired with such a negative word as work...)

I was thinking that it would be interesting to create a giant hugel labyrinth.

You could make it massive, acres square (or whatever shape you like ) and then sell tickets. Around here, we have corn mazes in the fall and they are always a huge hit. But can you imagine a massive labyrinth with walls twelve feet high, winding in and out for miles...I could go on forever.
AND, the people who come will also learn about permaculture! You could place little signs here and there with things on them...similar to Paul's playing cards...And you could have a refreshment stand or café at the beginning to sell your permie food. The possibilities are endless.

What do you think? Would you come to my labyrinth? Would you build one yourself?
 
Posts: 1947
Location: Southern New England, seaside, avg yearly rainfall 41.91 in, zone 6b
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I thought about this too! I would come visit.

I do have a hugel in the shape of a spiral.
 
Jenna Sanders
Posts: 54
Location: Michigan, zone 5
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Oh, a spiral does sound fun! I told my husband we should do ours that way, and he was concerned the neighbors would think aliens were leaving crop circles in our yard:)
The thing I love about permies is that there are other people who think the same way I do! If there are any around here, I haven't found them yet...
 
Posts: 108
Location: PNW zone 7
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This sounds awesome! I'd add to it that it'd be a huge living farmers market with something to pick all year round.

Who cares if I can't get out? I got a peach right here - some peas over there and I hope they don't weigh me and charge me poundage when they finally come and get me!

I'd come if I could!
 
pollinator
Posts: 4147
Location: Kansas Zone 6a
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Jenna Sanders wrote:Oh, a spiral does sound fun! I told my husband we should do ours that way, and he was concerned the neighbors would think aliens were leaving crop circles in our yard:)
The thing I love about permies is that there are other people who think the same way I do! If there are any around here, I haven't found them yet...



Only if you could build the whole thing overnight!

Now that would be awesome, being able to build them that fast.

I have thought the same thing and may get there eventually--just for us. With a little gazebo as an inner sanctuary hidden somewhere.
 
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wheaton talked about this idea in the beacon food forest podcast... I for one LOVE the idea and have been planing out where my next several hugle bed will be... biggest problem im having is talking my boyfriend into 12ft hugle beds!
 
Posts: 641
Location: Missoula Mt
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We were actually talking about this the other day at the dinner table.
 
Jenna Sanders
Posts: 54
Location: Michigan, zone 5
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12 foot berms, I don't see the problem
Sam- Did you ever go to Lewis' corn maze? They made a killing with that, I think they charged $5/person and that was only corn. Think of the possibilities with a hugelkulture!
 
Sam Barber
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Location: Missoula Mt
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Yeah i did a few times. With hugelkulture you could do it year round.
 
Sam Barber
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Location: Missoula Mt
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How ever having worked on 12 foot hugel beds my self I would hope you have several heavy duty machines to do the work. Otherwise it would take years!
 
Posts: 134
Location: Canton, NC
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Sepp Holzer talked about this very thing in his book on Permaculture. He went one step further and talked about planting veggies and fruits and things on it with sitting areas where you could get people to come and pay by weight when they left. He said people with kids would usually come out with lots more than they planned with the kids picking everything and loading them up. We were thinking of building one too below our hives. A labyrinth or pathway for a customer to get lost in.
 
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Have a "Petting Zoo" with goats, sheep, rabbits, and chickens and then sell cups of animal food for 50 cents each. The people pay to feed your animals for you.
 
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