Why the hügelkultur trend is gaining fans and could transform backyard vegetable growing

Homegrown veggies could soon be raised on a mound of earth, if new interest in the old-fashioned hügelkultur method of gardening catches on

BY JAYNE DOWLE

The latest trend in growing veggies, coming from California – one of the US states suffering from unprecedented drought – is hügelkultur, or ‘mound culture’. 

It’s a method of cultivation that utilizes almost every scrap of waste and retains water at the same time, so no wonder this is a garden trend that's becoming popular with those interested in sustainable gardening.  

But just what is it about this gardening method that makes it so accessible to anyone, no matter where they live? 

WHAT IS THE HÜGELKULTUR TREND AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Hügelkultur is German for ‘hill-mound’ or ‘hill culture’. The idea was pioneered by Austrian permaculture expert Sepp Holzer in the 1960s and 1970s and the hugkultur movement is now finding new fans in the USA. 

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With vegetable growing on the up in the US – 35 per cent of US household now raise their own crops – gardeners are looking for new ways to raise their crops whilst saving precious water. The bonus of hügelkultur is that it’s highly moisture-retaining.

In hügelkultur, a mound of wood, trunks, branches, wood chips and straw is built up on the soil, or on a log or tree slice. Alternatively, a raised garden bed, trough or wooden enclosure may be used. Natural waste such as plant clippings, grass cuttings and kitchen peelings are added to contribute to the mix, rather like a compost heap.

This organic matter is allowed to rot down over time to create a warm and moist self-sufficient ecosystem that needs minimum water and even creates its own liquid.

When the hügelkultur mound is ready – typically after around three years - it provides a welcoming nutrient-rich environment for all kinds of kitchen garden crops, including potatoes, swedes, turnips and carrots.

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