I've been enjoying this thread. Kids are of course a part of our world and thus are likely to be part of our local systems. Sometimes incorporating them helps in the short term, like directing their play in to something that serves functions within the system (as with the chesnuts). Sometimes it hinders in the short term, but helps in the long term, such as slowing things down to work to teach a child how to do the task you're doing (even if they're going to do it rather imperfectly themselves, at first).
I have to ask Matu, what is a hugelbeet? I have a hugelkultur of my own (yet to introduce it to any kids! unfortunately, many of them wouldn't be able to see to the top of it, much less help me garden there). I've never heard of a hugelbeet before, though.
