I am contributing to the reverse gentrification (maybe villagefication, is that a word?) of a rural town.
I bought a foreclosed house on a few lots, and am tearing it down. Once the lots are bare, top soil will be added, irrigation installed, and some hugoculture beds built. With this space, a degree of food stability will be achieved, while reducing the inventory of junk houses and buildings in the town.
Is a conversation more valuable than a zap? I hope mine are, but of not I can also zap for things Ive read and want to show Ive read.
What is hogoculture and how many will have access to the land?
Sure, conversation is good. Hugo culture is a mulch bed that tends to hold water, and slowly release nutrients over time.
It is a triangular layer system- large wood stumps in the bottom, brush and branches above, then grass clippings and straw on top. This is watered so there is reduced air space, then plants are inserted into the lop layer.
There are above ground Hugo beds and and below ground trench Hugo beds- the latter are better for dry windier climates such as Montana.
This is a personal project- I am not trying to do CSA or anything like it.
Interesting. How big are the beds? (Maybe I can make one for my son...🤔)
They can be any size- a garden I have looked at nearby has 16’ long beds with plants on a width of maybe 18”. Those are setup as shallow beds, maybe 18” deep.
Many are several feet deep by the time the three layers are consolidated.
My plan is a series of trench about 18x18” and 16’ long. The stumps and large brush will fill the trench, the grass and straw will mound about 18” high above ground.
Some beds will have climbing fence installed for vining crops, some will have slats to help break the wind and provide some shade as needed.
An okay article that describes the concept: https://www.epicgardening.com/hugelkultur-raised-bed/
The order to the demolition crew is to leave a bare lot, except for the tree which is in one corner. One should always leave healthy trees, especially on the high desert of this area.
A man who plants a tree provides shade for his sons. A man who preserves a tree provides shade for his grandsons.
