
Permaculture is using the resources you already have on your property and Hugelkulture is a step further by making raised beds with permaculture in mind.
I want a large strawberry bed....who doesn't love strawberries?! AND not the kind you buy at the grocery store, yuck- underdeveloped, picked when still whitish green with little to no flavor. No, I want the kind of strawberries my parents grow. Non-commercial varieties that host a wide flavor scale from peach to champagne undertones. Yes, those are what I want. Picking at peak to eat fresh, freeze and make jams for later.
This is how I constructed my 16X16 Hugelkulture bed:
--17 used, very old railroad ties- they are 8' long. I like the ones that have had the creosote used out of them - yes, I am sure trace amounts will still reside- but these are what I have on hand, they look good and I'm recycling. Canadian Pacific Railroad re-did all the railroads around here - even abandoned tracks (perfect for the weathered/used railroad ties).
--3 corn stalk bales (some people use rocks, but I wanted something that would breakdown- the neighbor that does organic farming had some free bales this early spring that I picked up (didn't know exactly what I'd do with them yet, but now I do!).
--1 year old + composted manure, 10 cu yards
--4-6 very large untreated pallets
--Strawberries to plant out
--Grass clippings for mulch
Mr. Hunky (my very handsome and strong husband-if you have not tried the Mr.Hunky soap, you will not be disappointed), laid the railroad ties two high with two sets on each end, making it 16 x 16 with one at the entrance for a long step.
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