Nothing goes to waste:
All food waste from the Hollyhock kitchens is composted. Most of this turns into soil within just one year with proper compost layering of greens (food scraps) & browns (fallen leaves). The woody stems of kale plants, small sticks and other woody debris take too long to breakdown in traditional composting. One great way use this ‘woody’ biomass is by making hügelkultur beds!
This is a centuries-old gardening technique of building raised beds by burying rotting wood, branches, and organic debris under soil. The benefits of this method include water retention for drought resistance, improved soil fertility from long term decomposition, improved soil aeration and expanded growing space through vertical mounds.
Give it a try! It can be done on a small scale in your backyard garden using any woody debris you might otherwise burn, chip or throw away.
Make your own Hügelkultur beds:
- Build Your Base Layer. Start by laying down logs, branches, and woody debris. This is the core of your bed and will slowly break down over time, holding moisture and feeding the soil.
- Layer dry materials like leaves, chips or straw over the wood. This helps kickstart decomposition and balances nutrients.
- Cover everything with a generous layer of soil. Shape it into a mound or raised bed—this improves drainage and creates more growing space.
- Plant directly into the bed and water well to get things started. Over time, the wood breaks down, enriching the soil and retaining moisture—meaning less watering and healthier plants.
