View high resolution

May 30, 2012.

One of our hugelkulture mounds. This one is connected to the western blueberry mound inside the fence. It was literally covered with morning glories last year and this winter we had chickweed growing to immense proportions. I chopped and dropped it a few times and the soil was literally teeming with worms and other organisms.

So we finally weeded it out- lots of polygonaceae and more morning glory seedlings, along with quite a bit of other plants. After “weeding”, we lightly turned (top 3 inches or so) in a little bit of lime, some organic fertilizers and compost. Once workable, we made mini swales along the edges, planted with cucumbers, tomatoes, sunflowers, mixed herbs, and lettuce. Then we returned the weeds as a mulch. It still needs more mulch which I plan on adding in the form of comfrey if the rain comes tomorrow.

Edit- there is also some mixed tobacco growing in the bed. The large green plants on the right are some kind of native berry. Bottom right is are two comfrey plants along with some black eyed susans.