Last fall we decided to convert part of a garden bed into a low hugelkultur bed to see how it would work for us. To compare we prepared the bed right next to it using a rototiller. In both beds we used the same mix of soil amendments and we planted the exact same varieties in the same configuration. They are also hooked up to the same water line. So other than one being a hugel and the other being tilled, they are, for all intents and purposes, exactly the same.
The season is still fairly early but I’m already seeing some differences.
The tomatoes are slightly larger in the hugel bed compared to the tilled bed.
Same with the peppers. Especially the habanero, which is notorious for being a slow growing variety.
The eggplants are doing equally well.
Watermelon germination was the biggest difference. I had much faster and better germination rates in the tilled bed compared to the hugel.
Of the squash plants that germinated at about the same time, the ones in the tilled bed are bigger and more vigorous.
The biggest difference though is a substantially smaller amount of weeds in the hugelkultur bed.
The season has just started and production hasn’t even started yet and that will be the real test to determine which bed works the best.
So interesting to see the progress so far! I’ve been thinking about making one of my beds into a hugelkultur bed and if it would be worth it. I’m looking forward to your next update on the comparisons!
I am planting raspberries in a hugelkultur bed. We’re in So. Cal. and it’s so hot and dry in the summer I’m hoping that I can cut back on the water bill. I’m excited to see your next update on the beds.
This is fascinating! Thank you for posting it. I am so curious to see how this pans out.
I’m delighted to see a direct comparison like this. When practices become popular, it’s always nice to see a scientific evaluation of their true efficacy. I look forward to a follow up.
I know this is old, but for me, the biggest benefit about hugelkulture would be that you dont have to water as much. Did you find this to be the case?