anyone try a 'hill bed'?

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lotsadirt Hanover Park, IL(Zone 5a) Jan 29, 2004

I rea this in a garden book, that in a bad soil spot you can build a hill bed: lowest layer some wire mesh. layers of coarse brush, sod or compost, leaves and garden waste, manure or raw compost and then a good soil compost mix. Says it takes 5 years to break down, replenishes soil pretty good. Anyone ever try this? I might in a tough over-gardened spot in the yard. Could start building when the snow is gone.

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mominem Ashton, IL(Zone 5a) Jan 29, 2004

What is the wire mesh for?
It sounds like you are talking about building a compost pile on top of the over-gardened area. Do you plan to wait the 5 years before planting anything there, or do you mean that the "hill" will last 5 years?

Eileen

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lotsadirt Hanover Park, IL(Zone 5a) Jan 29, 2004

the mesh is to keep animals from boroughing in the pile, it would be loose...maybe boards ont he sides too. I would start planting on top of the mound this year. Book says it would settle in after 5 years (depending on the size of the mound, I suppose.) It might look kinda neat.

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leaflady Hughesville, MO(Zone 5a) Jan 30, 2004

How will you get rid of the wire at the bottom in a few years? Trust me it isn't going to be easy and you will never be able to till as long as that wire is there.

I would recommend that you find a source of rotting/rotted barn/stable cleanings, leaves, old hay/straw, molded rabbit, chicken, dog, cat, any type livestock feeds from farmers, farm supply stores, etc. and pile them on the area. Layer and mix as best you can, then in the early spring make sure there is enough nitrogen and moisture in the pile to finish rotting the material so you can plant. Get some nitrogen fertilizer from a farm supply store if the pile is too slow in the rotting process. You won't need a great deal, but it will make a lot of difference in how fast the material finishs rotting. I dump the above items into piles and let the chickens do the turning/mixing for us. We use the cleanings from the bird house and under the bunny cages on beds. If you have aquariums, use that water on the soil or your house/garden plants when you clean it. It is some of the best fertilizer water you can get. A dose of household ammonia sprayed over the area occasionally will deter most critters. Hope this helps you.

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lotsadirt Hanover Park, IL(Zone 5a) Jan 31, 2004

OK, I'm only 15 minutes from the 'country', I'll give it a try!
Jennie

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