Hügelkultur in dry climates?

February 28, 2014

...the logs break down they add organic matter and create, in theory, a rich soil full of air gaps, fungal and microbial life. But the thought of mounding anything in our dry climate doesn’t make sense to me. As I said in my post about the pros and cons of raised beds, if I didn’t have contaminated soil I’d grow my veggies in the ground. A Root Simple reader from Cyprus, which has a very similar climate as ours, said that Hügelkultur experiments the...

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Anne Hars’ Top Ramen Keyhole Vegetable Garden

Mr. Homegrown

February 15, 2013

Gardening, Permaculture, Vegetable Gardening

12 Comments

...ion supply stores and on order at Home Depot. It comes in 25 foot lengths. Soil for the bed came from the ground, from bagged soil that used to be in the wooden raised beds and from compost that Anne makes herself. “I’m going to plant things under things,” says Hars. As the winter garden reaches maturity Hars plans on putting warm season crops in under the winter greens. “It will be a lazy summer garden.” Ute, one Anne and Bill’s two chihuahuas, a...

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Free Biodynamic Composting Seminar in Los Angeles with Jack McAndrew

Mr. Homegrown

January 6, 2014

Events

...ith the best Masters in the business.” Biodynamic compost is made with precise specifications and is a fundamental component of the biodynamic method of growing food. It recycles animal manures and organic wastes, stabilizes nitrogen, and builds soil humus to enhance soil health. “This is recognized as the finest recipe for growing crops in the world,” claims Jack. “You don’t need any other fertilizer or pesticides. This form of agriculture is ahe...

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The Green Cone

Mr. Homegrown

October 14, 2006

Composting

...solid waste into liquids which then, if all goes well, percolate into the soil. The Green Cone, supposedly digests all kitchen waste including meat, fish, bones, animal waste, and dairy products, items not recommended in most compost piles due to the fact that they smell bad while decomposing, attract pests, and could possibly transmit Salmonella and E. coli bacteria if used on food crops. The green cone is, however, not a composter and the end r...

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Leaf Litter

Mr. Homegrown

December 12, 2006

Permaculture

1 Comment

...reduce water usage by preventing evaporation, prevent weed growth, inhibit soil erosion and may even stop acid rain from penetrating soil. For these reasons SurviveLA says banish your leaf blower! In fact, when planning a garden around permaculture principles you may want to consider plants that produce mulch, and placing them where the mulch will benefit your landscaping. Remember though that some trees such as black walnut and eucalyptus produce...

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