Tag: permaculture

High and Dry

In this video, E.G. shows us the anatomy of a hugel, thanks to a bunny who likes to dig.

 

This is one of the hugel mounds as it looked in April. I didn’t dig or till, but instead placed a cottonwood log, then sticks and branches, then upside down sod I had removed from another part of the yard, then it snowed, then mushroom compost and spent brewery grains topped it off.

Here it is today:

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And here is a wildflower, Hibiscus trionum, I let grow in the garden because I just like it.

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Mostly sunny

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It’s not as hot and dry as Phoenix, Arizona, but almost. It probably is as dry actually.  Some evenings we get an exciting T-storm but it’s just dry lightning, no rain. Still, I love our summers. I savor every moment outside in the aging radiation. But I also wear a mask when outside my house or backyard, which is an effective sunblock and I kind of wish I’d been wearing one for the past 30 years.

I also learned a lot from this midwestern gardening expert who discussed mistakes many growers (including me) have made during hot weather.  To summarize:

  • Don’t water during the heat of the day
  • Don’t fertilize
  • Don’t plant seeds directly in hot soil (oops, I planted beans, but they came up)
  • Don’t leave ripe fruit on the plant
  • If you have to deal with bugs, remove them manually – don’t spray anything on leaves

Here’s a lovely thunderhead that appeared toward the end of a picnic dinner the other night, which didn’t leave a drop of moisture.

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And here’s my first video from the newly created Deathplow YouTube channel, filmed by 11-year-old EG, where I explain the disorderly nature of my garden and what weeds I like.

Next up, EG tells us about their first hugel. Cheers!

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