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Build a Resilient School Garden with Hugelkultur!
In this episode, Leila shares an innovative and regenerative gardening technique that can make your school garden more resilient, water-conserving, and low-maintenance — hugelkultur!
Leila discusses how this permaculture technique, which involves creating a raised garden bed with a foundation of buried wood, can significantly reduce summer maintenance needs and provide long-term benefits to both the garden and the learning experience. Hugelkultur is not only water-efficient and nutrient-rich, but it also extends the growing season, supports local wildlife, and serves as a hands-on educational tool for students. This episode provides a step-by-step guide to building a hugelkultur bed with your students and highlights how this method can make your school garden more self-sustaining.
Topics Covered:
- What is Hugelkultur?
- Definition and translation of "hugelkultur" (mound or hill culture).
- How to create a raised garden bed using layers of wood topped with soil.
- Benefits of Hugelkultur Gardens:
- Water Conservation: Wood in the bed acts like a sponge, retaining water and reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Nutrient-Rich Soil: Over time, the decomposing wood enriches the soil, eliminating the need for additional fertilizers.
- Extended Growing Season: Heat from the decomposing wood helps keep the soil warmer, allowing plants to thrive for longer in colder climates.
- Biodiversity and Wildlife Support: Hugelkultur beds attract beneficial woodland wildlife and mushrooms, enhancing the ecosystem around the garden.
- Resilience and Low Maintenance: Fewer watering requirements and built-in nutrients reduce the need for summer maintenance.
- Science and Educational Value:
- Opportunities for teaching students about natural water cycles, soil health, decomposition, and biodiversity.
- Practical Considerations:
- Recommended wood types (avoid chipped wood, willow, and black walnut).
- Where to source whole, dead wood for building the bed.
- Tips for constructing a stable, tidy hugelkultur bed with students.
Resources Mentioned:
- Guide to Building a Hugelkultur Garden with Students
- Oasis School Program, which includes step-by-step gardening lesson plans and resources:
https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/links-oasis-programs
- Guide to Setting Up a Watering Chest for Summer Maintenance
Don’t Miss Out:
Leila shares her personal experience with hugelkultur and how it transformed her approach to school gardens. This episode is packed with practical advice and educational insights that will make your school garden setup a breeze!
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By LeilaSend us a text
Build a Resilient School Garden with Hugelkultur!
In this episode, Leila shares an innovative and regenerative gardening technique that can make your school garden more resilient, water-conserving, and low-maintenance — hugelkultur!
Leila discusses how this permaculture technique, which involves creating a raised garden bed with a foundation of buried wood, can significantly reduce summer maintenance needs and provide long-term benefits to both the garden and the learning experience. Hugelkultur is not only water-efficient and nutrient-rich, but it also extends the growing season, supports local wildlife, and serves as a hands-on educational tool for students. This episode provides a step-by-step guide to building a hugelkultur bed with your students and highlights how this method can make your school garden more self-sustaining.
Topics Covered:
- What is Hugelkultur?
- Definition and translation of "hugelkultur" (mound or hill culture).
- How to create a raised garden bed using layers of wood topped with soil.
- Benefits of Hugelkultur Gardens:
- Water Conservation: Wood in the bed acts like a sponge, retaining water and reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Nutrient-Rich Soil: Over time, the decomposing wood enriches the soil, eliminating the need for additional fertilizers.
- Extended Growing Season: Heat from the decomposing wood helps keep the soil warmer, allowing plants to thrive for longer in colder climates.
- Biodiversity and Wildlife Support: Hugelkultur beds attract beneficial woodland wildlife and mushrooms, enhancing the ecosystem around the garden.
- Resilience and Low Maintenance: Fewer watering requirements and built-in nutrients reduce the need for summer maintenance.
- Science and Educational Value:
- Opportunities for teaching students about natural water cycles, soil health, decomposition, and biodiversity.
- Practical Considerations:
- Recommended wood types (avoid chipped wood, willow, and black walnut).
- Where to source whole, dead wood for building the bed.
- Tips for constructing a stable, tidy hugelkultur bed with students.
Resources Mentioned:
- Guide to Building a Hugelkultur Garden with Students
- Oasis School Program, which includes step-by-step gardening lesson plans and resources:
https://www.kidsgrowingcity.ca/links-oasis-programs
- Guide to Setting Up a Watering Chest for Summer Maintenance
Don’t Miss Out:
Leila shares her personal experience with hugelkultur and how it transformed her approach to school gardens. This episode is packed with practical advice and educational insights that will make your school garden setup a breeze!