William Spettmann

Again, I wish to thank all of you for your advice. I can hardly wait for the snows to melt so I can begin gardening for this new season. I have more planning to do. It is all good. I am also limited by recent injuries and surgery. But I am blessed and have two strong sons who will help dad realize his vision.
Thank you all
William

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. Your wisdom and guidance is so helpful to this newbie. I have been gardening here on long island NY for several years. But I am new to permaculture and hugelculture. This past year I have read books by Mark Shepard and Ben Falk. Any recommended reading would be welcome. I was considering using wood chips for a base to my 12 inch raised beds rather than excavating my existing soil. But your responses have made me reconsider. I believe my garden may benefit more from excavating existing soil and burying some logs and woody material, then using my present soil to cover the bed. Present soil is rich and active. My reason for 12 inch bed was rather simple. I had access to a large number of 12 inch planks (untreated). Thought I could build me some raised beds. Still can, just gonna have to recruit my two sons to help me excavate.
Thank you all for taking the time to share your knowledge with me
William

Thanks for your responses. I have a small suburban lot and will be planting my vegetable gardens in 12 inch raised beds this spring. I am building raised beds for the first time. I love the idea of hugelculture for all the benefits it provides. But unless I excavate the existing soil, I thought that maybe laying down wood chips would offer similar benefits. Any further advice would be greatly appreciated. Living on Long Island, New York, my concerns would be prolonged drought and watering restrictions. The soil here is very fertile, and I plan on harvesting rain water in the event of a long drought. Thank you all! Ironfish

I have access to yards of wood chips for free. I am building 12 inch high raised beds. I was wondering if before filling with soil would a six inch layer of wood chips be beneficial? It would allow me to spend less on soil, and the wood chips are free. I suppose the benefits would be less without logs, which would take longer to decompose, but would like to hear what others think.
Thank you
ironfish