I started doing this last year with my largest raised bed. I added kitchen scraps and compost all winter. Now I have watermelons and tomatoes that look great. So healthy for our plants and no fertilizer needed because the soil has so many natural nutrients it needs. Thank all the gardeners out there who continue to help us newbies learn and improve our gardening.
@@ДианаМихайловна-я1р I added a thin top of cheap garden soil over every "layer" and had no problems with either ants, mice or any other creatures. Doing this in the cold months I think helped. I also had small logs and branches at the very bottom.
I would like to make a suggestion for improving the hugelkultur method from Mark on I am organic gardening. He an Gardner Scott have the best gardening information that I have seen. Mark says to drill holes in the logs to let in moisture and it helps the logs to decay letting the fungi out developing fungi rich soil which feeds the plants . Watch Mark's video on hugelkultur improvement for the details. I think this will help all gardeners who are interested in and do the hugelkultur method of gardening. All gardeners need to help inform each other for better gardening.
I didn't leave room for winter squashes in my garden plots. So I made a 12' long Hügelkultur berm out by the barn using stuff from around my property & threw in a bunch of random squash seeds. The only things I actually spent money on were the seeds. I've only watered once since planting about a month ago, and I don't think I've ever had happier squash plants. 😊
I always do this. I love to have and plant organically and this is the perfect way to achieve this. I get so upset with people I know filling the bottom with junk, plastic bottles and such. Thanks for sharing this info for people struggling with the cost to fill raised beds.
I took your advise. When I filled my beds, I used this method. The best part was when initially filling them with sticks, branches, lawn refuse and stuff, I stomped on everything like grapes, crushing everything down. I've amended the beds and they are doing well. Thank you!
I used a two inch layer of wood chips in the bottoms of all my twelve inch deep beds. Then I filled the rest with lasagna layers. I plan on adding more compost to the top of each bed in the fall. In spring I will likely need to add a bit more before planting.
I built an 11’x3’ raised bed out of PT 2x12’s. Filled bottom with 10 bags of leaf mold and 2 bales of peat moss before adding the bagged soil. Worked like a charm - ty again for your expert advice!
Only recently discovered Gardener Scott and have been applying this and many other techniques discussed by him... So far my garden is thriving better than my last attempt! Man knows his stuff
I would check if your town (or one nearby) has a municipal woodchip pile. Often you can dig down a bit until you find the black layer of aged woodchips that have almost completely decomposed. It makes for great topsoil, for no cost. If your town has a municipal compost pile, even better. Some towns, like mine, will produce compost out of decomposed leaves and make it available for residents. I recently loaded up on some, and it makes a great planting medium.
Wish I had learned this information when I started my square foot garden two years ago! Love your economics, Gardener Scott, and efficiency of resources. Thanks!
Some cheapskate remarks: just finished a hugelbed in a big bathtub for growing the very invasive raspberries with only some expensives for the amendments of the homegrown compost. A few years before I filled a hugelbed with the rootballs of dying buxus bushes (buxusmoth), worked out very well.
We did the same thing last year . I followed the video u uploaded . Twigs , green grass , horse manure , top soil all I brought free .. and this year my first bed is filled with strawberries, cilantro, spinach. yes the bed has sinked 6 inch down but no worries I will repeat the process for amending this year fall . Thank u soo much Garden Scott. U made life easy for filling this vegetable bed .
We used partly rotted logs in the bottom of our raised beds, figured it would get things moving along faster. I also grew a cover crop of winter rye in one bed over the winter then in the spring I covered it with black plastic after cutting down the growth and the rye plants rotted in the grown and made great soil which I didn't have to till.
Not sure where I heard this, but it said that the fertility of the soil could last 15-20 years using hugelkulture. I've done some with twigs and this year used my oak trimmings that were green, but that's ok. I had a few rotted ones. Then I added all those oak leaves that drop in the spring. What I need and hopefully this will provide is moisture. The older beds do ok, but I'm sure thevtwigs are broken down. The soil is rich--best brassicas Ever! I found a red wiggler in finishing the beds this spring and he had a mouthful of leaves nestled into the garlic I had to move. So excited I forget to take a picture. When I haven't seen any in over a decade here--THAT'S SOMETHING! We may be getting out of our drought in the next week and that will be another Something.
Great advice, Scott, thank you. Developing my first 5 raised beds this year, BIG job figuring out how to fill all that space, but I'm getting better, doing what you suggest, with Hugeelkultur: big logs, branches, etc. etc. I have 13 wooded acres, so I have endless organic matter to contribute, but it's a process learning how to do all this better and more efficiently day by day. But I'm enjoying the process! And the great veggies!
Yes!! An open interface between your raised bed and the soil of your garden underneath is definitely beneficial. People in the know talk about living soil (not just small insects) but micro organisms and beneficial bacteria and fungus and these are what really help to make good good healthy nutrient rich soil. Your videos are great and useful and simple and easy to copy. (Raised bed with the branches/twigs/leaves/cut weeds etc are great simple cheap idea. Just takes bit of time and planning right. Bit like a compost heap or hugelkulture in your raised bed. Great great ideas to copy for any gardener on any scale). Great videos and great channel Dude !
Exactly. Plant right away. Don’t let soil stay bare otherwise it gets dry and rubbish. And if can’t plant in sow seeds. And if can’t do that cover with leaves or grass or hay or straw or wood chip etc (mulch right?)
So glad I saw this. Trying to build a big raised bed, thought about using leaves for the bottom but didn’t know if it was a good idea because of drainage issues and ,as you mentioned, sinking level as it decomposes. Didn’t think of using logs/branches. Was going to dig a hole somewhere out back and just use that (native soil is filled with rocks [New Hampshire] and no fun to dig in) but I have more than enough dead wood laying around already. You may have just saved me from a heat stroke, definitely at least a sore back 😁✌️. Relatively new to gardening and I just found your channel the other day when I was trying to figure out why my huge lilac bush was only putting out a few flowers at the top. Thanks for the helpful info. I appreciate you, and will be going through all your videos to learn more. I’ll be sure to share them on Gab, give them a thumbs up, and encourage my friends to do the same. God bless 😁✌️❤️
This is awesome-thank you, Scott! Just found your videos. I have a large garden I am going to build these in. I was wondering what kind of corregated steel roll did you use.?. Thank you!
Last year I planted radishes where the brick patio was, the bricks were only a half or a quarter inch below the soil, and the radishes grew fine, they didn't need any more than that, except for where they got squished from growing along side and through the bricks. Oh, it looked like you were waist deep in that garden bed, was wondering where you were going to get all that dirt from!
Oh I love this method! Just made 3-8x4 . I didnt cut the corragated panels and they are 26” high. After putting in the logs and branches. I put in shredded (natural) mulch. I got in the bed too, and tamped it down. 🤣 One I have a thick layer of manure (goat and cow) ontop of that. (from my new farmer friend 🤣) Then emptied my compost pile on it. I ordered some OMRI soil, filled the rest with that. And covered it in clean straw. The manure one I will let set till end of Sept. before I start using it. So manure will break down some. Here in FL. The best growing season is sept-about april. The other two are planted up. With Gardner scotts awesome cattle fence hoops we made. Then I shade clothed the planted ones. So far so good. And it’s getting HOT here now! Happy gardening everyone. Great vid Gardner Scott! I send everyone your links! 👍
thank you Scott for the great ideas. I see you didn't mention the chicken wire - do you use that so moles and other critters do not burrow into your beds?
I'm a cook and with LOTS of scraps - peelings, ends, rinds, etc. I had to develop a sequence for adding because the first year (many moons ago) I threw it all in one bed and then planted in the sludge. Of course the acidity killed the roots. I always add ash and leaves as well as scraps. The price of dirt is absurd and to tell the truth, I don't see any difference. This year I had a good surprise - a neighbor had lots of dirt he couldn't use and did I want it? Good dirt = happy planter
Are you thinking of putting in a small wildlife pond in your garden…?…. Just wondered as the wildlife it attracts (frogs n toads n newts to eat the slugs and snails) has been great in our garden.
@@GardenerScott sorry dude. Don’t realise the rest of the world doesn’t have all the wet rainy days we do in Nottinghamshire in England. (You can do a small wildlife pond with no pumps and no filters, pond liner or barrel/plastic tub and bits of stones and gravel in a shady spot …….. some subsoil/nutrient poor soil , native plants in and around the pond …get some beneficial insects in). But yes I probably don’t get the full local weather and native wildlife to your part of the U.S. as it’s probably a bit different to England!) And I’m guessing may attract unwanted rattlesnakes or raccoons…?….
Good video! My first ever raised beds I just installed this spring were filled like yours Gardener Scott, the difference is that my beds are not in direct contact with the ground. Do I need to collect earth worms and put them in my beds the get more benefits? Thank you so much for your great teaching!
Could (Would), you add any single ingredient organic fertilizers at any point in the layering process to enrich the soil for the long run or to keep any deficiencies away? I am building beds using Hugelkultur this summer to be used in the 2025 season. I have looked into a number of them and am overwhelmed with options. Azomite, Blood meal, Bone meal, Kelp Meal, Rock Phosphate, Oyster shells, Green Sand etc. all seem good options but they may not be needed or too much can cause issues, Thanks for the information in advance and keep up the good work.
Yes, you can add organic fertilizers along the way. I fill and allow months for the soil to develop before planting, but adding fertilizer allows for earlier planting.
Thank you for this informative video. Is it possible to use logs, branches, twigs from a Walnut tree in the beds? I've read that walnut has some oils in it which prevent other plants from growing and which also make it difficult to compost.
Yes you can. Black Walnut trees produce juglone that can stunt the growth of other plants, but that chemical degrades when exposed to air, water and soil bacteria.
Me too! Made 3. Always wanted to try hugelkulter. I think it’s great for FL! The prep is always the hardest. But I always say. Take the time do it right. In the long run. You have less problems! It’s easy to plant and seed. It’s the prep that’s chore. But worth it! 👍
@@FloridaGirl- and Brian Collins, y'all might want to look into the Gorilla cart. There are different types of Gorilla carts. Once you see the right one in action, you might find it's worth the cost and never want to use a wheelbarrow again.
Hey Scott :) I'm a new gardener. Like you said this method decomposes organic material in the bottom of the bed over a long period of time, but also you said that most of the growth only happens in the top few inches of soil. Years from now, how does the nutrient-rich decomposed material help my plants if its all the way at the bottom of the bed? Would I have to do a deep tilling?
You can make use of dynamic accumulators, which are crops that draw up nutrients from the deeper layers of soil and make them available to the surface. Dandelions are a good choice, as they're free, prolific, and their taproots can reach several feet beneath the surface. Scott did a great video on them recently.
Hi, I note you put in the native soil over the logs and branches in the base, as that soil doesn’t have to be perfect. My native soil is heavy loamy clay soil, (8ph) you could literally make a pot from it when it’s wet. Would this still be ok as I am slightly reluctant to put it in, on top. Was going to put in leaves, compost and god topsoil. Advice please. From UK .
Yes, even clay soil can benefit when blended with the logs and branches. Mixing it with leaves and compost first improves it even more. With good soil on top, your bed should do well.
I seen in the bottom you had chicken wire....Is that to keep gophers out? Or is it something else? I have two gophers that was wrecking my garden. And cant seem to catch them.
I guess over time the fill level will drastically reduce as the bottom organics decompose. So for perennials it may or may not matter.. they will also grow taller
Sorry if I missed but where did you get those long galvanized sheets for the side panels of the raised bed. Haven’t been able to find a site for those just many with sizes I don’t need. I need that for my future beds for my perennials
Would there be a significant difference between filling deep beds with carbon rich material only, or a mix of carbon and nitrogen rich material as in lasagna gardening? I would guess the lasagna bed would decompose faster and need more topping up sooner, but I'm sure there's more to it.
You're right a mix would decompose faster. Carbon rich soil would tend to have more fungi and nitrogen rich tends to have more bacteria. Both are good.
Yeast is a fungi that can add nutrients to soil when it decomposes, but isn't a traditional fertilizer. Yeast is similar to adding compost or any organic matter to soil as a food for microorganisms. You can dissolve it in water and pour it into your bed.
@@GardenerScott Do you know if kitchen yeast is one of the soil-friendly yeasts? My understanding is that some of them are unfriendly. Though I assume they're friendly until I know differently. Thanks.
If you do not need but 8 to 12 inches of good soil to grow your intended plants, why make the planters so tall? I live in Sacramento, CA & the soil is mud. Bottom of the good growing soil... so, I get some potting mix, sand & mix it together. This adds some height, but plants still grow. Why do we need raised beds? I know it is common, & I am just starting to grow things - 60 this summer - so I am just asking why a raised bed if you can just fix the ground about your home. I watch the farmers, & they don't use raised beds. But, because you do, I thought you would have a really good answer. I do like your videos. I have added some pots to my garden, & did use some filler - plant pruning - at the bottom of the pot. Planted some radishes in the pots as they do not go too deep :-)
I have a number of videos that discuss some of the benefits of raised beds. My primary reason is I find it easier to sit on and work in taller beds because of back issues.
@@GardenerScott I had a logger friend that told me his chainsaw has a longer blade so he doesn't need to bend over to cut the lower logs, same thing, bending issues... I totally understand :-) work in your comfort zone, & then it is joy, not work :-)
Nitrogen-rich ingredients are needed to create the environment for thermophilic bacteria to generate heat. Burying carbon materials like branches and wood chips won't generate the same heat.
i noticed you only used dried wood logs, dried branched and leaves to fill the bottom layer of the bed, would it be ok to use freshly cut tree logs and branches? What about using organic mulch at the bottom of the bed and on the top layer of the soil?
I think termites might be there, but as long as you are far enough from your house or other structures, you should be fine. For instance, firewood piles often attract termites and the warnings with those is just to keep the pile away from the house.
@@karengale6686 I'll just spend the money and completely fill my raised beds with good composted soil and top them off each year with fresh soil. Small price to pay for me. I keep telling my son-in-law not to stack the wood so close to the barn. I would just prefer not to even put anything that would attract termites.
I started doing this last year with my largest raised bed. I added kitchen scraps and compost all winter. Now I have watermelons and tomatoes that look great. So healthy for our plants and no fertilizer needed because the soil has so many natural nutrients it needs. Thank all the gardeners out there who continue to help us newbies learn and improve our gardening.
very interesting how you arranged your garden beds. Didn't mice or ants dig your kitchen scraps?
@@ДианаМихайловна-я1р I added a thin top of cheap garden soil over every "layer" and had no problems with either ants, mice or any other creatures. Doing this in the cold months I think helped. I also had small logs and branches at the very bottom.
@@ДианаМихайловна-я1р In that sort of setup, at least, ants are helpful for bringing the nutrients below the surface.
I would like to make a suggestion for improving the hugelkultur method from Mark on I am organic gardening. He an Gardner Scott have the best gardening information that I have seen.
Mark says to drill holes in the logs to let in moisture and it helps the logs to decay letting the fungi out developing fungi rich soil which feeds the plants . Watch Mark's video on hugelkultur improvement for the details.
I think this will help all gardeners who are interested in and do the hugelkultur method of gardening. All gardeners need to help inform each other for better gardening.
I didn't leave room for winter squashes in my garden plots. So I made a 12' long Hügelkultur berm out by the barn using stuff from around my property & threw in a bunch of random squash seeds. The only things I actually spent money on were the seeds. I've only watered once since planting about a month ago, and I don't think I've ever had happier squash plants. 😊
I always do this. I love to have and plant organically and this is the perfect way to achieve this. I get so upset with people I know filling the bottom with junk, plastic bottles and such. Thanks for sharing this info for people struggling with the cost to fill raised beds.
I took your advise. When I filled my beds, I used this method. The best part was when initially filling them with sticks, branches, lawn refuse and stuff, I stomped on everything like grapes, crushing everything down. I've amended the beds and they are doing well. Thank you!
I used a two inch layer of wood chips in the bottoms of all my twelve inch deep beds. Then I filled the rest with lasagna layers. I plan on adding more compost to the top of each bed in the fall. In spring I will likely need to add a bit more before planting.
I filled my 18" tall beds ( made with recycled fencing) with 12" of woodchips. They do awsome.
I built an 11’x3’ raised bed out of PT 2x12’s. Filled bottom with 10 bags of leaf mold and 2 bales of peat moss before adding the bagged soil. Worked like a charm - ty again for your expert advice!
I use hugelkultur in my two raised beds too. They have done really well.
Lawn clippings are great too
Thanks Scott, started building my first raised beds today. I appreciate all your efforts and information.
Glad I found this! Just in time! Going to start collecting my stuff for my raised beds asap.
Only recently discovered Gardener Scott and have been applying this and many other techniques discussed by him... So far my garden is thriving better than my last attempt! Man knows his stuff
I would check if your town (or one nearby) has a municipal woodchip pile. Often you can dig down a bit until you find the black layer of aged woodchips that have almost completely decomposed. It makes for great topsoil, for no cost. If your town has a municipal compost pile, even better. Some towns, like mine, will produce compost out of decomposed leaves and make it available for residents. I recently loaded up on some, and it makes a great planting medium.
This was so educational and helpful!!! Thanks, Gardener Scott!
Wish I had learned this information when I started my square foot garden two years ago! Love your economics, Gardener Scott, and efficiency of resources. Thanks!
Thanks Gardener Scott.
Some cheapskate remarks: just finished a hugelbed in a big bathtub for growing the very invasive raspberries with only some expensives for the amendments of the homegrown compost. A few years before I filled a hugelbed with the rootballs of dying buxus bushes (buxusmoth), worked out very well.
We did the same thing last year . I followed the video u uploaded . Twigs , green grass , horse manure , top soil all I brought free .. and this year my first bed is filled with strawberries, cilantro, spinach. yes the bed has sinked 6 inch down but no worries I will repeat the process for amending this year fall .
Thank u soo much Garden Scott. U made life easy for filling this vegetable bed .
I love the way you explain everything! Thank you from Italy
We used partly rotted logs in the bottom of our raised beds, figured it would get things moving along faster. I also grew a cover crop of winter rye in one bed over the winter then in the spring I covered it with black plastic after cutting down the growth and the rye plants rotted in the grown and made great soil which I didn't have to till.
Not sure where I heard this, but it said that the fertility of the soil could last 15-20 years using hugelkulture. I've done some with twigs and this year used my oak trimmings that were green, but that's ok. I had a few rotted ones. Then I added all those oak leaves that drop in the spring. What I need and hopefully this will provide is moisture. The older beds do ok, but I'm sure thevtwigs are broken down. The soil is rich--best brassicas Ever! I found a red wiggler in finishing the beds this spring and he had a mouthful of leaves nestled into the garlic I had to move. So excited I forget to take a picture. When I haven't seen any in over a decade here--THAT'S SOMETHING! We may be getting out of our drought in the next week and that will be another Something.
I Love your channel Gardener Scott ☺️
Great advice, Scott, thank you. Developing my first 5 raised beds this year, BIG job figuring out how to fill all that space, but I'm getting better, doing what you suggest, with Hugeelkultur: big logs, branches, etc. etc. I have 13 wooded acres, so I have endless organic matter to contribute, but it's a process learning how to do all this better and more efficiently day by day. But I'm enjoying the process! And the great veggies!
Yes!! An open interface between your raised bed and the soil of your garden underneath is definitely beneficial. People in the know talk about living soil (not just small insects) but micro organisms and beneficial bacteria and fungus and these are what really help to make good good healthy nutrient rich soil. Your videos are great and useful and simple and easy to copy. (Raised bed with the branches/twigs/leaves/cut weeds etc are great simple cheap idea. Just takes bit of time and planning right. Bit like a compost heap or hugelkulture in your raised bed. Great great ideas to copy for any gardener on any scale). Great videos and great channel Dude !
Exactly. Plant right away. Don’t let soil stay bare otherwise it gets dry and rubbish. And if can’t plant in sow seeds. And if can’t do that cover with leaves or grass or hay or straw or wood chip etc (mulch right?)
Amazing big C shape of that raised bed! Cool idea (last comment. Promise)
I love the way you do it. Thanks Scott !
Thanks dear for sharing this useful and informative video 👍👍❤️❤️
Great looking beds!
Agree I started thinking about an insert.. so it drops liquid but can retain moisture..
So glad I saw this. Trying to build a big raised bed, thought about using leaves for the bottom but didn’t know if it was a good idea because of drainage issues and ,as you mentioned, sinking level as it decomposes.
Didn’t think of using logs/branches. Was going to dig a hole somewhere out back and just use that (native soil is filled with rocks [New Hampshire] and no fun to dig in) but I have more than enough dead wood laying around already.
You may have just saved me from a heat stroke, definitely at least a sore back 😁✌️.
Relatively new to gardening and I just found your channel the other day when I was trying to figure out why my huge lilac bush was only putting out a few flowers at the top.
Thanks for the helpful info.
I appreciate you, and will be going through all your videos to learn more.
I’ll be sure to share them on Gab, give them a thumbs up, and encourage my friends to do the same.
God bless 😁✌️❤️
This is awesome-thank you, Scott! Just found your videos. I have a large garden I am going to build these in. I was wondering what kind of corregated steel roll did you use.?. Thank you!
I used corrugated roofing panels from local home improvement stores.
thank you for making these videos!! keep it up
thank you
Last year I planted radishes where the brick patio was, the bricks were only a half or a quarter inch below the soil, and the radishes grew fine, they didn't need any more than that, except for where they got squished from growing along side and through the bricks. Oh, it looked like you were waist deep in that garden bed, was wondering where you were going to get all that dirt from!
Oh I love this method! Just made 3-8x4 . I didnt cut the corragated panels and they are 26” high. After putting in the logs and branches. I put in shredded (natural) mulch. I got in the bed too, and tamped it down. 🤣 One I have a thick layer of manure (goat and cow) ontop of that. (from my new farmer friend 🤣) Then emptied my compost pile on it. I ordered some OMRI soil, filled the rest with that. And covered it in clean straw. The manure one I will let set till end of Sept. before I start using it. So manure will break down some. Here in FL. The best growing season is sept-about april. The other two are planted up. With Gardner scotts awesome cattle fence hoops we made. Then I shade clothed the planted ones. So far so good. And it’s getting HOT here now! Happy gardening everyone. Great vid Gardner Scott! I send everyone your links! 👍
Great information! Thank You!
thank you Scott for the great ideas. I see you didn't mention the chicken wire - do you use that so moles and other critters do not burrow into your beds?
Yes, chicken wire and hardware cloth at the bottom help withy my gopher and vole problem.
Great video! Thank you
Great information!
Thanks great info!
I pretty much did the same steps but my first layers were cardboard.
Excellent channel 🌿😃
I'm a cook and with LOTS of scraps - peelings, ends, rinds, etc. I had to develop a sequence for adding because the first year (many moons ago) I threw it all in one bed and then planted in the sludge. Of course the acidity killed the roots. I always add ash and leaves as well as scraps. The price of dirt is absurd and to tell the truth, I don't see any difference. This year I had a good surprise - a neighbor had lots of dirt he couldn't use and did I want it? Good dirt = happy planter
Are you thinking of putting in a small wildlife pond in your garden…?…. Just wondered as the wildlife it attracts (frogs n toads n newts to eat the slugs and snails) has been great in our garden.
I have some water features, but am not planning a pond. We have water restrictions and a drought.
@@GardenerScott sorry dude. Don’t realise the rest of the world doesn’t have all the wet rainy days we do in Nottinghamshire in England. (You can do a small wildlife pond with no pumps and no filters, pond liner or barrel/plastic tub and bits of stones and gravel in a shady spot …….. some subsoil/nutrient poor soil , native plants in and around the pond …get some beneficial insects in). But yes I probably don’t get the full local weather and native wildlife to your part of the U.S. as it’s probably a bit different to England!) And I’m guessing may attract unwanted rattlesnakes or raccoons…?….
Good video! My first ever raised beds I just installed this spring were filled like yours Gardener Scott, the difference is that my beds are not in direct contact with the ground. Do I need to collect earth worms and put them in my beds the get more benefits? Thank you so much for your great teaching!
Collecting worms and introducing them to your beds can help grow your own population. Thanks.
Could (Would), you add any single ingredient organic fertilizers at any point in the layering process to enrich the soil for the long run or to keep any deficiencies away? I am building beds using Hugelkultur this summer to be used in the 2025 season. I have looked into a number of them and am overwhelmed with options. Azomite, Blood meal, Bone meal, Kelp Meal, Rock Phosphate, Oyster shells, Green Sand etc. all seem good options but they may not be needed or too much can cause issues, Thanks for the information in advance and keep up the good work.
Yes, you can add organic fertilizers along the way. I fill and allow months for the soil to develop before planting, but adding fertilizer allows for earlier planting.
Very timely advice! Question for anyone: How close to the surface of the bed can the undecayed material be? Thanks!
Yes I’d say 1-1.5 ‘ 👍
Thank you for this informative video. Is it possible to use logs, branches, twigs from a Walnut tree in the beds? I've read that walnut has some oils in it which prevent other plants from growing and which also make it difficult to compost.
Yes you can. Black Walnut trees produce juglone that can stunt the growth of other plants, but that chemical degrades when exposed to air, water and soil bacteria.
So identify with this one. Just made 4 raised beds with logs to fill the boxes. Hard work pushing that wheelbarrow.
Me too! Made 3. Always wanted to try hugelkulter. I think it’s great for FL! The prep is always the hardest. But I always say. Take the time do it right. In the long run. You have less problems! It’s easy to plant and seed. It’s the prep that’s chore. But worth it! 👍
@@FloridaGirl- Good on you! For sure, the prep's a grind but really enjoying the beds. Good luck w yours!
@@FloridaGirl- and Brian Collins, y'all might want to look into the Gorilla cart. There are different types of Gorilla carts. Once you see the right one in action, you might find it's worth the cost and never want to use a wheelbarrow again.
Hey Scott :) I'm a new gardener. Like you said this method decomposes organic material in the bottom of the bed over a long period of time, but also you said that most of the growth only happens in the top few inches of soil. Years from now, how does the nutrient-rich decomposed material help my plants if its all the way at the bottom of the bed? Would I have to do a deep tilling?
Hi, Michael. The key is the movement of soil organisms, primarily earthworms. You'll also gain the option to grow more deep-rooted plants.
@@GardenerScott Thank you!
You can make use of dynamic accumulators, which are crops that draw up nutrients from the deeper layers of soil and make them available to the surface. Dandelions are a good choice, as they're free, prolific, and their taproots can reach several feet beneath the surface. Scott did a great video on them recently.
I’m new to raised gardening. Can you add soil that has pebbles in it on the lower layer?
Yes, you can. Mix it it with branches.
This is dope af.
What about using a combination of rocks, concrete, logs and other organics?
The rocks and concrete don't improve the soil and I prefer not to use them.
Can you use pine logs and branches?
Sure. Some of the branches I used were pine.
Hi, I note you put in the native soil over the logs and branches in the base, as that soil doesn’t have to be perfect. My native soil is heavy loamy clay soil, (8ph) you could literally make a pot from it when it’s wet. Would this still be ok as I am slightly reluctant to put it in, on top. Was going to put in leaves, compost and god topsoil. Advice please. From
UK .
Yes, even clay soil can benefit when blended with the logs and branches. Mixing it with leaves and compost first improves it even more. With good soil on top, your bed should do well.
@@GardenerScott thanks will give it a go 👍
I seen in the bottom you had chicken wire....Is that to keep gophers out? Or is it something else? I have two gophers that was wrecking my garden. And cant seem to catch them.
Yes, it's for the gophers.
I guess over time the fill level will drastically reduce as the bottom organics decompose. So for perennials it may or may not matter.. they will also grow taller
Yes, the level will drop. You can still add compost and organic mulch to the surface to reduce the drop.
DO you have a video on that raised garden you were filling?
I have a few more things to film and it will be coming out soon.
@@GardenerScott awesome! Thank you
I am building on old concrete pasture....
Is it ok to use branches that still have greenery (leaves) still on them or should they be dead?
You can use green branches and leaves of most trees. Some plants can root when fresh and those are best used when dry.
Can I use mosquite branches to fill the bottom 1/3 of my raised bed
Yes you can.
I use straw
i've heard of people using brown cardboard as a filler, thoughts?
It is an easy fill and earthworms like the glue. It can break down pretty quickly so expect the soil level to drop sooner than with other materials.
@@GardenerScott so earthworms love horses then. lol
As a woodworker, how much sawdust should I add to the bottom of the raised beds, if sawdust is ok to use?
I add sawdust in a pile, like it was a log. I leave gaps between piles so there is air and soil around it. I also mix it with leaves when I add those.
Can I put fresh saw dust in the bottom of my new raised garden bed?
Sure. It will cake together when moist and becomes like a log.
Sorry if I missed but where did you get those long galvanized sheets for the side panels of the raised bed. Haven’t been able to find a site for those just many with sizes I don’t need. I need that for my future beds for my perennials
They are galvanized roof panels.
@@GardenerScott roof panels wow. Thank you Scott!
👍👍응원합니다 👍👍🇰🇷
How much horse manure is safe to use in a brand new bed for filling purposes?
It will decompose fairly quickly and the soil level will drop, so less than 25% is probably a good start.
Mr scott can we use green matter insted of browns ?? Or can we use combination of green and browns ??
Yes, you can use greens and browns. That material will probably decompose faster than just woody material.
@@GardenerScott thnxs sir
Does it matter what kind of wood you use?
A rot-resistant wood will last longer.
@@GardenerScott thank you
Would there be a significant difference between filling deep beds with carbon rich material only, or a mix of carbon and nitrogen rich material as in lasagna gardening? I would guess the lasagna bed would decompose faster and need more topping up sooner, but I'm sure there's more to it.
You're right a mix would decompose faster. Carbon rich soil would tend to have more fungi and nitrogen rich tends to have more bacteria. Both are good.
I read that I can fertilizer my garden plants with yeast. How do I do that and is it a good thing to do?
Yeast is a fungi that can add nutrients to soil when it decomposes, but isn't a traditional fertilizer. Yeast is similar to adding compost or any organic matter to soil as a food for microorganisms. You can dissolve it in water and pour it into your bed.
@@GardenerScott Do you know if kitchen yeast is one of the soil-friendly yeasts? My understanding is that some of them are unfriendly. Though I assume they're friendly until I know differently. Thanks.
If you do not need but 8 to 12 inches of good soil to grow your intended plants, why make the planters so tall? I live in Sacramento, CA & the soil is mud. Bottom of the good growing soil... so, I get some potting mix, sand & mix it together. This adds some height, but plants still grow. Why do we need raised beds? I know it is common, & I am just starting to grow things - 60 this summer - so I am just asking why a raised bed if you can just fix the ground about your home. I watch the farmers, & they don't use raised beds. But, because you do, I thought you would have a really good answer. I do like your videos. I have added some pots to my garden, & did use some filler - plant pruning - at the bottom of the pot. Planted some radishes in the pots as they do not go too deep :-)
I have a number of videos that discuss some of the benefits of raised beds. My primary reason is I find it easier to sit on and work in taller beds because of back issues.
@@GardenerScott I had a logger friend that told me his chainsaw has a longer blade so he doesn't need to bend over to cut the lower logs, same thing, bending issues... I totally understand :-) work in your comfort zone, & then it is joy, not work :-)
Can I use lumber scrapes to fill lower level of bed?
Sure.
@@GardenerScott thanks
One thing you have to be careful of with using this method is not accidentally creating a hot compost pile that will overheat the roots.
Nitrogen-rich ingredients are needed to create the environment for thermophilic bacteria to generate heat. Burying carbon materials like branches and wood chips won't generate the same heat.
@@GardenerScott Thank you!
What about filling the bottom with sand ?
You can if you want.
What about the possibility of harmful insects or disease being transported with the various natural fill?
It is possible depending on your source. When buried under a lot of soil there is less opportunity for insects and disease to affect plants.
@@GardenerScott Thank you
@@wolf52eagle If you're concerned about pathogens, you can solarize your soil.
Can wood that has ants be used as filler.
Sure. Depending on the type of ant, burying them under several inches of soil should disrupt their nesting.
@GardenerScott my neighbor, gave me the wood from a dead tree when we saw the ants.
I worried if we should use use the.
I would be careful with using large logs. Rats sometimes set up nests in gaps between them.
Interesting that you have chicken wire on the very bottom, I had to do that as well.
I used mesh cloth. Don’t want anything coming in from the bottom.
i noticed you only used dried wood logs, dried branched and leaves to fill the bottom layer of the bed, would it be ok to use freshly cut tree logs and branches? What about using organic mulch at the bottom of the bed and on the top layer of the soil?
You can use freshly cut wood. The dried logs tend to decompose faster. Organic mulch is a good option for both bottom and top too.
Could you use cardboard boxes?
Sure.
Do you ever purchase earth worms?
I have. I purchased them and started a worm farm, as I show in this video: th-cam.com/video/tRVC3wnW9Ts/w-d-xo.html
what about cardboard/
Using the hugelkultur method, I would be afraid of attracting termites.
I think termites might be there, but as long as you are far enough from your house or other structures, you should be fine. For instance, firewood piles often attract termites and the warnings with those is just to keep the pile away from the house.
@@karengale6686 I'll just spend the money and completely fill my raised beds with good composted soil and top them off each year with fresh soil. Small price to pay for me. I keep telling my son-in-law not to stack the wood so close to the barn. I would just prefer not to even put anything that would attract termites.
We are curious if the branches and wood chips would attract termites?
Possibly in wet regions with termite infestation problems. It's never been a problem for me.