A Hugel Garden

An unusual method of creating garden beds

My name is Syd Carpenter . I am a nursing home gardener in Philadelphia . Two long time ago theWoodmere Art Museumasked me to plan a garden for their internet site . Along with my husband , Steve , I produce two raise beds using a hugel garden as a mode of planting . Hugelis German for hill or mound . We began with a trench dig to about 24 inches , then layered it with logs , branches , leaves and well - enfeeble dirt . Plants were chosen for their three to four season of interest , drought allowance , anddeer resistance . We later see that we should have admit rodent electrical resistance as well . The garden perform surprisingly well that first yr but was severely lay waste to by field mouse the comply winter . Apparently our hugels supply luxury accommodations for the edacious rodents . We replanted that spring withsalvias , alliumof all kind , iris , grasses , lambs ’ ear , and pungent herb , all plants cervid and voles supposedly observe repellent . The garden has recuperate beautifully .

This film of the hugels under construction shows how the soil is layered over the logs and arm .

The newly planted garden

Thepaths , also made from logs , provide memory access to the works , which are just starting to fill in .

With everything fill up in and covering the soil , lambs ’ ears ( Stachysbyzantina , Zones 4–8 ) evince off front and center on with bigsilvery leavesand a useful resistance to voles .

Yarrow ( Achilleahybrid , Zones 3–9 ) brings sunny yellow flowers and attractive fernlike foliage .

The height of the mounded hugel beds helps show off the plants in the back and gives the sense of introduce a tunnel of flowers .

An exposed end demonstrate the structure of the garden . The logs will slow decompose , provide nutrient and permit the bed to slowly settle . Verbenabonariensis(Zones 7–9 or as an annual ) provides clouds of empurpled blooms .

It ’s tough to believe this garden was decimate by pests ! It has recoup beautifully .

If you have extra logs , branch , or brush , hugel bottom are a swell alternative to having them hauled aside , and they can provide great height and pastime in the garden .

Have exposure to deal ? We ’d jazz to see your garden , a particular appeal of plants you eff , or a wonderful garden you had the prospect to visit !

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