The hügelkultur beds created earlier this year in the Upper Garden (Blog, April 15, 2023) haven’t had much of a mention since, mainly because they have been left to start their work. Apart from some marigold (Calendula officinalis), French marigold (Tagetes patula) and red amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), nothing has been planted in the beds, as I wanted the soil and organic matter to settle around the logs and branches in the bottom of the trenches. There were some butternut squash on two of the beds, but the seeds must have been in the compost I used, and they came up by themselves!

But the big news is that there is plenty of fungal activity! There are several species – as yet unidentified – (photos below), and there will no doubt be more. This is a key sign that the decomposition process of the wood at the base of the beds is well under way, and that they will soon be able to be planted. Shrubs and herbaceous plants with smaller root systems can go on the beds, but bigger shrubs and trees will go alongside so that their more extensive and larger roots will not be disturbed as the beds sink further. These will still benefit as much from the moisture and nutrition the beds provide – their roots will search it out.

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