I did a post yesterday about Hugelkultur.
But after exploring my proposition I've decided that burying paper and wood (twigs and logs) in my garden beds was sure to be damaging to the soil structure I've worked so hard to create so far because I'd have to dig into it to bury the stuff over such a wide area.
So why not, I thought, just throw the same material on top of the garden beds then cover this with a scattering of green mulch?
It's Hugelkultur without laying on more soil.
It's trench mulching without digging trenches.
I find that any amount of mulch atop of paper product encourages breakdown and water retention (as well as prevents the sheets blowing away). But my challenge is to add enough stuff -- manures, grass clippings, twigs, and whatever -- sprinkled throughout this to foster rotting.
I'd then plant between the paper and wooden logs.
Traditional Hugelkultur uses composting heat to warm the garden bed but I don't want that at all.
Estimated Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratios
|
|
| Browns = High Carbon | C:N |
| Ashes, wood | 25:1 |
| Cardboard, shredded | 350:1 |
| Fruit waste | 35:1 |
| Leaves | 60:1 |
| Newspaper, shredded | 175:1 |
| Sawdust | 325:1 |
| Straw | 75:1 |
| Wood chips | 400:1 |
| Greens = High Nitrogen | C:N |
| Food waste | 20:1 |
| Garden waste | 30:1 |
| Grass clippings | 20:1 |
| Hay | 25:1 |
| Manures | 15:1 |
| Seaweed | 19:1 |
| Vegetable scraps | 25:1 |
| Weeds | 30:1 |
