Some High Desert Hugel Action (Feedback Appreciated)

Hey Guys!,

Long time lurker on here...Finally decided to make a post on one of my projects this year. See pics below, but let me give a little overview of whats going on.

there is two sets of these hugel bed lasagna planters. One on either side of the entrance. I dug out a 2-3' ish deep x 2' wide trench in a C shape around the western side of the lasagna planter area on both beds. The trench then got filled with all the wood material and it is the hugel portion of the project. Mainly it is Chinese elm, cottonwood and some oak, but there is a big variety especially when it comes to the smaller brush. As you will see in the pictures the hugel bed basically gets built up and becomes a 2-3' mound/berm when encased with dirt, then weaved and pinned with brush (or whip mulched I think it is called?) then more mulch on top. The reason for the C shape on the western side is due to the extreme winds that can potentially happen anytime of year but are guaranteed during spring. So it functions as a wind break because the prevailing wind is from the west. The lasagna planter areas have long term compost from a large greenhouse as the base, then straw, then some mulch mixed with alittle soil, layer of mule manure, more straw, soil then wood chips on top. All layered on real nice and thick.

I am curious what the community here would advise for the plant systems or just anything in general for that matter. Everyone's wisdom would be greatly appreciated. BTW This is in northern New Mexico just outside of Taos at the Greater World Earthship Community. It is just in front of the visitors center. Also we get about 9-15" of rainfall a year and sometimes we get about half of that in a half hour during a monsoon. So if you guys have any questions or if I left any pertinent info out let me know! I am excited to share this little project with you all.

anyway here are the pics! thanks for checking it out!

Reserved for more pics.

Daniel Dynan wrote:Reserved for more pics.

Last Pics for now

Daniel, how is your hugelbed doing?

I am curious too, how did it work out? If moisture retention is the most important thing, it seems like upright stumps of wood work better than horizontally laid ones, and you seem to have them both ways. I wonder also, if it wouldn't become rat heaven as it did to some people.

I would love to hear an update on this.  How was the water retention?  Any issues with them drying out?  I’m trying to figure out the best way to retain and hold water for my high altitude low water location.