What Happens When You Bury Logs in the Veggie Garden Raised Bed?

In this video, I show what happens to logs and wood buried in the vegetable garden after 4 years as a Hugelkultur raised bed.
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Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland Australia about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)

[@spartan1010101]

This is a beautiful demonstration on decomposition. I’m glad there are people that are dedicated enough to update on something they did 4 years ago.

[@samjones3546]

Definitely. I try to keep track of things in my yard but am too disorganised.

[@luanllluan]

So true!

[@JustMyNipples]

decomposition is amazing!!

[@codyhuggins5017]

He had to replace the plastic posts with sturdier wooden posts, so he was like well heck I'll just make a video updating on the status of logs and such in this and educate while I reexcavate my raised bed. Lol

[@ravensnflies8167]

were still doin it! if you have a back yard and youre not growin somethin, anythin at this point, youre doing yourself a disservice.

[@videoswithsubscribers-xk5hb]

Never thought I'd be watching a video of a man digging up old logs, but it was quite interesting.

[@NelsonClick]

Hmmm...you don't have to be ashamed to admit you're only watching this channel because this guy is mondo gorgeous. I do. I don't even have a garden. Or yard. I'm not even outdoorsy. I only go outside so the dog can pee. Even he doesn't like to go outside. It's why he pees on my new rug that I had delivered and ordered online because I never go outside.

[@danielbenitez6985]

He destroyed it... it was doing just fine

[@karenzupanic718]

@@NelsonClickuse vinegar to get rid of the smell. Put some in a spray bottle and dilute 50:50. Spray it on. Smell disappears! You’re welcome! 😊

[@italiana626sc]

This is an older video so you probably won't see this comment. But I wanted to thank you, Mark, for doing that hard work just to show us what happens to the debris that is at the base of a raised bed. That was a massive effort on your part, simply for education. Kudos to you!!

[@Blackadder75]

not just for education, it's for himself too, he explained that he had to replace the bed corners and sides with better building material

[@bearsoundzMusic]

@Robert Spence Remember that there still was ~ 45 cm of *garden-soil* on top of the logs and stumps! You will not get a good result from your plants without _that_

[@lukaslambs5780]

Mark is the best. I wish I could shake his hand and tell him “G’DAY!” and talk gardening!

[@vegegagarden]

[@thupatrupa]

I'd binge watch a tv show by this guy. Very wholesome, educational, and just in general pleasant. Thanks for sharing!

[@christ9359]

A docuseries, each episode revolving around a different gardening plant or concept, would be great.

[@helyatimohamad1599]

This man radiates such a kind and caring energy for gardening. His passion for this is infectious! I am now ready to get back to my own little garden.

[@thenpheler1]

Same here!

[@lokilawson]

He definitely does that! Very contagious.

[@NOMAD-qp3dd]

Totally.

[@kathleenarmstrong9536]

So happy to see that there ARE other people in this world that actually get excited about decomposition of organic matter in the garden! LOVE this guy! ❤️🙂

[@faqirahabdullah1364]

that me think too what happen to us when we too are gonna buried like that one day..gonna be interrogated to what have we done in this world...the right acts and the right faith...peace!

[@WackoMac]

We out here 🙂

[@RA-vq3dk]

You are not alone

[@dalepres1]

I am building beds this weekend and have piles of branches and logs I was going to do the same - but roaches?? Now I am wondering and doing more research.

[@O1OO1O1]

"Want to come back to my place and checkout my compost pile and worm farm?" ;)

[@lochlansmyth484]

I seem to absorb information better when it's delivered with an Australian accent 😆 What an absolutely awesome idea for a raised bed! I'm disabled and struggle with tasks that require me to bend down, which as you may imagine, doesn't help with gardening lol. I've been trying to think of a good way to build a raised bed high enough for me to use without kneeling/bending over and this is perfect 👌 Thank you so much for the idea and wonderful demonstration of this magical process of nature, great videos dude big ups from Prince Rupert in British Columbia 🇨🇦

[@leahrowe847]

We made some with 10' 2x12s. Bought 3 untreated & 3 treated. Cut 2 of each in 1/2, then use those 4 the short sides. Make boxes, then stack on top of each other with treated on bottom. You can add 2x4 or 2x6 rails to the top sides for sitting/weeding spots. We also used scrap wood on the inside to anchor the boxes together at each corner & on long sides/middle. We got the idea off YT somewhere, I can't remember now. The treated wood was used on bottom, but not top bc of chemicals. You don't want them getting into your plants, but the bottom level won't Rot as fast if you use it there. Fill bottom with wood chips, limbs, stumps, leaves, etc then cover with dirt & plant

[@pigeonmanof180]

I’ve been doing versions of this with lumber by-products for awhile. What he doesn’t mention in this video is that nutrient rich humus gets added to your existing soil as a result of the decomposition (like the sweet smelling black layer under the leaves of the forest floor). Great benefits to all growing things in your garden. Downside is that while the wood bits are rotting they steal Nitrogen. If you do what’s suggested here, plan on adding N periodically. Watch the leaves; they’ll tell you when they need it.

[@alexmazzetto4483]

Thanks for your comment. Was going to write the same exact thing. Always curious to see how plants growing on hugelkultur raised beds or with thick layers of straw work in terms of lack of nitrogen.

[@squadabingo9113]

When do the leaves tell you they’re ready?

[@pigeonmanof180]

@@squadabingo9113 leaves lose their green when there's a lack of N. More of a yellowish green and pale as well as smaller size and less in numbers. Whereas plants that get plenty of N have thick and vibrant green foliage. Nitrogen is for tops, Potassium is for stems and overall growth support, and Phosphorus is for storage and reproduction.

[@WhatHappenedIn-vt3vq]

Good note. I got some chemical fertilizer instead of soil for a Christmas gift way back and that's actually EXTREMELY good for me, since I didn't want to overload my soil with nitrogen when nitrogen isn't something any land in my state is very rich in

[@jamiebrenner9299]

@@WhatHappenedIn-vt3vq Be very careful using chemical fertilizers when doing living soil, it is toxic to the microbes. Natural dry amendments would be better for organic.

[@derrestaurier]

I totally didn't search for this video, but I'm glad KZbin did recommend it.

[@DawnieGTheBeekeeper]

Me too

[@patriciatinkey2677]

I totally agree!

[@azbanbo]

Same✌

[@AlaskanMagicK9]

Same....

[@leandabee]

I have no idea how/why this video showed up my recommendeds yesterday, but hey , mysterious ways and all 🤷‍♀️😅

[@christophertilley4297]

I like this guy’s personality. Seems like a good dude.

[@bradf.9365]

He seems really friendly

[@PirateKing1256]

He buries his enemy in his garden to fertilize his corps

[@smolboyi]

I feel like I can see in his eyes he's a good guy, and he loves gardening.. wise...

[@matthall8632]

I said the same thing. I sub after watching the first 5 mins of the video. He seems wicked friendly.

[@mawi1172]

So....and your point is?????

[@marjamada]

You, sir, are my kind of gardener, and human. Who would go out in the rain to make a YT video? Who would dig back through over four years of video footage to select clips of the filling of the bed with wood, and who would have that much footage organized well enough to find things? You are also a good teacher, by knowledge and by personal experience. Pleased to subscribe, and thank you for your numerous gifts to all of us.

[@RossPatzelt]

he is awesome i love this channel and how he shows us years later what happened to stuff.

[@MRGUSTAVOCHICKENFRING]

KZbin comments are so weird

[@sburgos9621]

Used this method last year when I built my first raised bed. Saved me a ton of money filling up the massive 8ft x4ft raised bed. Grew lots of vegetables and some fruits too.

[@smas3256]

I don't like bending and turning. Hard on the back. Buying soil is harder on the pocket book. In our 70's and have a no dig/no till. Blessed with hardwood trees in the fall/black gold.

[@johnsmithyth]

7:20 I don't want to be near anything that makes an Australian say "Gives me the heebie jeebies now".

[@dorjon5334]

😂😂😂

[@loloholmes2793]

😆😆😆

[@robynlvaughan]

@Crappyshooter, Having a wood cockroach crawl up your leg when wearing those wide leg shorts would give anyone the heebie jeebies. A spider would be much worse!

[@jmajick4415]

Right?!

[@aicram62]

yeh right.

[@thelearninghub6716]

My husband peered over my shoulder and asked "When did Russell Crowe get into gardening?"

[@ared18t]

Lol

[@isaacb5968]

Was he not entertained?

[@BeowulfAbroad]

As soon as he finished Fightin’ round the world!

[@Observer-cp4if]

Are you not entertained?

[@ritwikachatterjee5792]

😂

[@avidrdr5640]

Four years ago my daughter had a couple of small, dead trees taken down in her backyard. She rented a small trencher for a couple of shallow ditches to lay the trunks in then mounded dirt over them for hugel beds. Tomatoes love it!

[@chanros]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets excited about stuff like this.

[@imthelizardking]

It's amazing how built he is from all that gardening work. It's basically a gym that makes food.

[@miyabe_k195]

I think he was in the military as well

[@abyssal_phoenix]

He was once a militair he said. But he also says that this is a perfect workout.

[@shawtop]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH6afWyunsqGjs0

[@Selfsufficientme]

Always a great workout in the garden! Best gym ever :)

[@cjandauntieyaya1446]

@@Selfsufficientme - Justin Rhodes calls it Nature's Gym. BTW, you sure could double for Russel Crowe in Gladiator.

[@irodroan2769]

This man is so dedicated he stood in the rain and filmed a video about digging up logs.

[@CemboATG]

What's wrong with rain? I love rain 80% of the time I go out when it starts to rain literally just to be out in the rain

[@irodroan2769]

@@CemboATG It doesn't look to warm where he is, so I'm assuming its not the every other month sunny warm rain

[@edstar83]

@Flood Watch i love rain

[@TheFourthWinchester]

@@irodroan2769 He's Aussie. It's hot most of the year.

[@harrymills2770]

@@CemboATG All that spade work, plus free water cooling!

[@lilolmecj]

I used your recommendations when I needed to fill some new raised beds, it is an excellent opportunity for me to dispose of some forest floor debris and save money on purchasing soil. It has worked wonderfully. We have been rehabilitating a piece of property that was owned by a hoarder and we have been able to use a lot of the collected wood pieces that had not rotted away to build new beds. We have been working on it for three years and we feel we will be able to complete most of the rest this year.

[@anjayl]

"Look a that big worm, plenty of activity in this bed" ... words never pronounced by my gf

[@shawnmaginness9872]

I have to thank you, man. On days when I just don't feel like doing anything in the garden, I watch one of your videos. By the time it's over, I'm fully inspired and ready to rush out back and "get into it"! 😉 Thanks for that.

[@xiaobomeng278]

I have never thought people would do such a boring garden job, while attracted more bored people watching happily.

[@RavenOrJustRave]

What a positive and perfect man of the earth! You literally are the reason why I decided to take up farming again. My garden is flourishing from your advice and tutorials. I’m so glad you’re so dedicated because you inspire average people to be better. Much love from USA, Mark 🖤

[@bernardenorth]

A true custodian of the earth!!!!

[@CrowMaiden]

youtube's been recommending this to me for a couple days, and i'm glad i've finally watched it. this is really interesting. the way that an ecosystem grows and thrives from something as simple as logs. it's fascinating. also the genuine passion for what you're doing makes this even more of a joy to watch.

[@dkleath8697]

This is Awesome, Thank you for taking us with you on the rebuild- your interest & excitement is contagious❣️

[@William4143]

I now know what to do with my dead tree limb wood piles. I’ll dig the topsoil up and fill the low places in my yard with the wood. Then make shallow raised beds in these areas of my yard. Texas USA

[@darthkek1953]

The point of using these logs is these beds are basically large flower pots. They dry out very rapidly (much quicker than ground soil) so that's the point of the tree trucks "acting like sponges". In the main ground the will have little effect, either the dirty is wet enough or you are in drought.

[@jorgjorgsson7664]

This kind of content, interest in nature and learning how It works has encouraged me to pursue a second career as biologist now

[@ck-bp9ny]

Wow! How are things?

[@wolfienyo9878]

This is some good, wholesome stuff. Thank you SO much for sharing! These update videos are just so crucial for a new homesteader like me. There's all kinds of tips and such all over the internet, but it's so hard to really know what may or may not work for me, and videos like yours where I can see what happened after a few years are so reassuring and meaningful to me.

[@barbaracarballo7951]

I enjoy rewatching all your videos. They have helped me so much with my container garden that I have recently started with raised beds. Thanks again for all the great videos

[@wootlesswocks]

I don’t want to perpetuate stereotypes but I feel this guy could totally wrestle a croc

[@Daplin1]

Thanks Austin powers dad

[@MrJackandEmily]

They teach Croc wrestling in school in aus.. No big deal..

[@tylerkrug7719]

Well.. You just did

[@tylerkrug7719]

You haven't seen the video of him wrestling an alligator? One of his most watched videos

[@drfred1203]

From the looks of the scars on his arm, it looks as though he’s spent time wrestling crocs, or tigers, or juggling chainsaws. He is awesome no matter what.

[@michaelmurphy3203]

Something about this guy, i just love him.

[@robrobinson8328]

I just said the same thing in a comment. I can't believe (actually I do believe it) that there are people out there that would give this man a thumbs down...what a shame!!

[@somethingintheair5373]

Michael Murphy - me too! Always excitedly looking for his next video. Would you believe he's my bed time reading, I mean watching! Can't get enough and have learnt so much.

[@RainbowObsidian777]

He is genuine and is a hard worker. Many of us resonate with this type of soul and are in good company 😊 garden work is not for couch potatoes lol pun intended lol He is a true inspiration thats for sure

[@michaelmurphy3203]

I started my first raised bed/ gardening experience last month because of him, and it has been so good for my soul.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Michael and I'm glad your raised bed build is going well too! Cheers :)

[@billymisfits]

not sure why but i love the part where the worm flops out of your hand and you quickly cover it back with dirt. great stuff!

[@irener8661]

I'm new to the channel (and even newer to gardening) and I'm so glad I found it. Has the feeling of getting advice from your favorite uncle that wants you to thrive and has so much fun while teaching you

[@carlacowling1789]

I just planted tomatoes in my first hugelculture bed. No sides, just put cardboard down and threw logs, dirt and grass clippings on. Couple inches of compost and peat moss mix on top and voila! I'm still debating on building sides sides or just leave it as a mound. Looks a little bit like I buried someone in the back yard 😂

[@tamekahill2826]

Lol you forgot the Rose's

[@Selfsufficientme]

The mound is the original way - low cost and effective but yes does look a bit like a shallow grave lol... Cheers :)

[@RainbowObsidian777]

@@Selfsufficientme lmao i was thinking that but didnt want to say it , so thanka for being my voice on that haha too funny

[@cjandauntieyaya1446]

Mounds are just fine and great Halloween Decor, just add a skeleton hand or two out the top. I unfortunately can't have mounds what with all my chickens free ranging. Have to waste time and money putting up sturdy sides. AND a fencing around the crop, those brats dig up everything including potatoes. Tppppttttt!

[@fordtechchris]

Humankulture....

[@bendean744]

This guy is the Steve Irwin of gardening

[@patmendoza9945]

Crikey!!!

[@WD-zk6fg]

Well said.

[@stressbucket9846]

😄 awww... I just found this channel and I thought this too.... what a nice compliment for him.

[@sissinoklahoma2057]

When he said, "Let's get in there!" I had the Same Thought! Even without the accent, he has the same positive disposition.

[@vincentalaimo7527]

Indeed

[@Fungi_Ty]

I love this method! So glad you did the follow up video showing the decayed matter! I’ve been doing heugle cultures all over the land and working with your same concept in all our beds! Thank you!

[@joybeum7177]

Thank you for your great ideas. I used this method of burying small logs (not as large as yours) and twigs/leaves in the bottom of my raised bed, covered with rotted hay and horse/goat manure and saved a great deal of money since I was able to buy fewer bags of soil mix for the top half. I live in the Sacramento Valley of California.

[@dalindaniel5642]

How did work?

[@Ken15643]

I like this guy. He is a great host. Magnetic personality.

[@KanishQQuotes]

All ozzy dads are

[@g0ezle0nard96]

Aussies are either magnetic or enigmatic. Either way they keep it lively I reckon.

[@cour2knee]

He is sooooo sweet

[@yackingcactus6174]

Did a 6 foot down Hugelculture garden 10 years ago - my best garden all these years. Duh, dawned on me to do it in a raised bed. Once again - best raised bed hands down. The deep moisture makes everything thrive!!!!!!!!!!!

[@wayfarer1101]

First guy who's been able to get me excited about rotting wood! 🤣🤣🤣

[@shawtop]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH6afWyunsqGjs0

[@martynaskerdokas8438]

The deep moisture in the bed is like having an aquafer under your entire garden

[@harvey5060]

Does this work in any climate?

[@Selfsufficientme]

What a great experiment to dig it down! Both ways work well then! Cheers :)

[@chachadodds5860]

Definitely worth it! I've always wondered what goes on beneath the soil of a Hugelkulture raised bed, and how long it takes to decompose. Thank you SO much for doing this video! Now, I know it's worth doing the Hugelkulture, in my beds. You're awesome! I love watching you, even though I'm located in the States. I've learned so much from you, and your enthusiasm is contagious.

[@fergusdangerfield156]

Mark, that was fascinating, I've seen so many vids on bed construction but this is the first one to investigate what happens in the engine room. I've followed you for a long time but am just building my raised hugalculture beds now. Thanx for posting x

[@candacernelson5074]

This guy is one in a million, I really enjoy watching, learning and just listening to him talk.

[@sameersheikh7014]

I was so waiting for this Because i have buried 10 year old wood in my garden and wanted to know what happens

[@shawtop]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH6afWyunsqGjs0

[@jackdonkey22]

10 years was about the time it took forthe yardto start sinking over some logs I buried.

[@LmaoMoni]

The first time reading this i read “i have a 10 year old buried”

[@sameersheikh7014]

@@LmaoMoni hahaha Bad writing i guess😅😅

[@nsrvtqc]

LmaoMoni same for me! 😂

[@kil2250]

I always appreciate that you show yourself working and sweating and getting dirty. So much more real (and gives me a better idea of what to expect) than the typical gardening videos! Ty for all your hard work.

[@matthewcampbell5877]

Just mooching through the back catalog, absolutely love this guy!

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Buried wood is a much different ecosystem than puked stems and leaves. It breaks down in a very interesting fashion, making an entire world along the way!

[@Cate7451]

anonymous one , yes you are right! But once it breaks down it will return the nitrogen to the soil! So in hugel culture you must have the wood below the root level or add nitrogen(or well rotted wood).so is this useful when you have a deep bed or is it preferred? Would wood rot just as fast with the addition of water if it wasn't buried. So wood or wood chips are good to fill in a box, dual purpose as is also composting, or use wood chips as a mulch on top but don't have wood bits in the soil where the roots are. This is what I am trying to work out. Great video! Showed how it worked?👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Cate7451]

Old chunk of coal. , I can see what you say. I think this is an interesting idea but for specific situations. We have an acreage with a fallen down popular mess. I would dig down and make a pit. I am up north and it is a cool wet summer here. We would have to have some machinery to do the hard work though. My husband was very taken with how Prince Charles did it. It would be great to see more studies on this.

[@joangordoneieio]

After 10 months mines (from fallen tree) is already looking like wood chips!

[@choppermarc2342]

I feel like I have just taken a master class. Thank you.

[@Kiaro99]

Thank you so much for making these videos. Because of your efforts and the info that you've shared. I know without a shadow of doubt that I will be making some raised garden beds for myself once I've retired and have lots of time on my hands

[@TheAmateurPrepper]

I really appreciate the followup on your original video. I'm getting ready to fill several raised beds with this method and you've helped me to understand what it is that I'm doing.

[@CTR6067]

Thank you for doing this video. It’s one thing to talk about the benefits of hugelkultur, but even more helpful to see what has happened 4 years later.

[@RichHernigle]

Howdy from Finland! My wife and I are using Hugelkultur in our new raised garden beds due to your videos. Thanks for all of the great information you put on KZbin.

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Rich, thank you and your wife for supporting my videos! Cheers :)

[@jonbgreen6916]

Same here. You’ve had a big impact on how we do things in the garden here in our country Vic. home

[@monicamosack9604]

What a great opportunity to see what happens when you build up raised beds like this. Good look at the ecosystem. I never thought of putting potential compost under my planting beds because I thought it would get too hot as things break down. I grow succulents so I have plastic bottles under my layer of soil in pots. Works great, but I am considering doing some tomatoes, cucumbers, and snap peas this season, because they grow like crazy in Southern California, and this is a nice alternative. Thanks!!

[@connie2039]

As I said in another video, I love your videos. The videos are delivered with good information, good personality, and good cheer. Thank you!

[@yackingcactus6174]

I love the way you FEEL your garden. I am in the high desert Arizona. I would LOVE gardening in the rain.And your experiment WAS/IS indeed worth it. Rotten thumbs up for sure!👍

[@shawtop]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH6afWyunsqGjs0

[@BkSkills199]

I'm in the valley! just started a raised bed a few weeks back! if you are looking for az tips look up greenies garden. they are in QC. they have an insane backyard also.

[@rebzrok]

Prescott

[@peterreidy6094]

You need to watch Geoff Lawton on KZbin as he travels the world setting up Hugelkulture beds in 3rd world countries in deserts - really inspiring and very successful.

[@WildWestRosie]

Tombstone, here.

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

I love science. I love these videos when you "dig deeper" into what's going on in the garden. Knowing these processes makes us better gardeners, or so I believe. *_Thank you so very much._*

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you Kirsten! :)

[@catiepower3550]

I did all of my raised beds this year with this method. Garden production has been amazing this year and I can’t wait to see what next year brings. I love the fact that all I need to do is to top it off with a mix of compost and soil next spring. I’m adding 6 new beds for next year and will be starting them all like this. I’m starting them early so the summer/fall/winter can do it’s thing on them before I top them off with chicken compost and soil for planting.

[@charlesf.5414]

Thank you from NY! Your helping my family become self sustaining! My two kids love our garden and chickens that we have! Thank you boss!

[@trickstur5994]

Thanks KZbin for recommending the Steve Irwin of Gardening at 2 in the morning.

[@A_R411]

This man is the reason I grow copious amounts of mint , lemons and parsley now. My kebab shop dreams are alive

[@busygirl2681]

I'm glad you did that, Thank You. I started doing the same process in one plastic tote last year. I was so impressed with my patio tomato plant & Japanese cucumbers I'm doing that this year with all my big pots and totes. No weeds or moles Yay!! Happy Dance. Love your garden and your channel. From zone 8 in the U.S.

[@sr.6816]

I don't have a garden unfortunately but been watching your videos. I love your dedication for gardening and how detailed you show and explain your work! Most of all, you are a very pleasant person to watch... thanks for your videos! I am looking forward to a day when I might have a little garden myself! In the meantime it is fun watching your videos!

[@Crizakafrijolito]

I LOVE that he doesnt wear gloves. Feeling the earth and all of its stuff makes the whole experience better IMO.

[@paydenwilhelmson7742]

I have read the soil microbes can help with depression!!

[@wij8044]

@@paydenwilhelmson7742 Sounds interesting. Do you have a citation by any chance?

[@paydenwilhelmson7742]

S Shah it’s not letting me post any links but most studies were done looking at M. vaccae

[@weneedmoreconsideratepeopl4006]

@@paydenwilhelmson7742 Woah that sounds amazing. Come to think of it, it does make me happy just touching and interacting with soil. Only I use gloves though.

[@thebigorangecouch6261]

@@paydenwilhelmson7742 You're right. He has said in one of his videos how he likes the feel of the fresh soil in his hands. It could even be the same one where he says he loves the smell of it, too. After what he's been through with that accident which caused the arm to look the way it does, it's understandable.

[@jodyjohnsen]

That was a huge amount of work just to satisfy our curiosity. I, for one, was delighted to see it and feeling a bit guilty. I’ll get over the guilt. I’ll never forget how great this system is! Thank you.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you Jody! :)

[@mizot84]

There are quite a few videos out there showing how to build such a raised garden bed, however it's very interesting to see how this evolves over time and how much life is down there. Thanks, this was very interesting and I also like the passion you show in your videos!

[@jonathanyoung2588]

Mark, this is my first year growing a garden and Ive developed some hardcore plans to rejuvenate our 4 acre property. Thanks for all the solid advice and cheer!

[@mobiusprolix8454]

Lmao!! He called the red ants gingers! Ahh... I needed that laugh. ^_^

[@alfwaibel4773]

Just a recommendation in terms of protect the worms (which are the best assistant to every gardener): Try to use a garden fork, instead of a shovel, which hurt a lot of worms in such a lively raised bed like yours.

[@kasaundrameade2883]

Thank you 😊 I loved seeing this. We live in an arid and this looked like such a good idea most of our moisture comes in the form of snow so to keep some of that moisture in is awesome.

[@radiantrucola5870]

Hey this is an absolutely great idea for saving costs on gardening soil, and getting rid of wood waste from the garden. You are a genius.

[@joy4ki]

Love your curiosity & it's fascinating that there's still solid wood after 4 years. Thanks

[@sshep86]

They still find viking ships deep underground, used as burials from the 8th-11th centruy that still haven't completely rotted away. Some woods can last to the point that they petrify, rather than rot.

[@wild6483]

This is one of the most informative channels I've stumbled upon. Different climate and critters where I'm at (other side of the world Canada) but good fundamentals and ideas have no boundry. Thank you.

[@kathym6603]

Thank you for a great visit! Enjoyable and inspiring. You are a real powerhouse! 💌

[@caterjunes3426]

I learned a new word today: Hugelkultur. Love the way you take the long view, Mark.

[@yoggsaron1484]

Everyone knew what would happen to the wood, yet its still intersting

[@shawnr771]

Yes but we did not know the level of decomposition.

[@balthizarlucienclan]

It’s amazing how well the wood held up over the course of four years. I would’ve suspected that all of it would be soft and crumbly to the touch. It’s awesome to see that you created it extremely effective micro biome though

[@danielshane6538]

crumbly?? MORE LIKE CRUNCHY!!!!!!! 😡

[@Selfsufficientme]

Yes and we get a lot of rainfall here too so I expected the stumps to be softer by now also. Cheers :)

[@Braedenfish]

@@Selfsufficientme that was cool to see...several of the long legs were gone and near gone as they were closer to surface.. .stumps at bottom had zero air and no plant roots taking up nutrients. I bet if a tree was in that bed the stumps would go faster. Good info though....u see people plant in raise bed and the next season the soil is compacted and the bed is half empty .....now we know....start with 18 by 18 inch stumps then long legs then smaller matter to avoid the refill issue! 👍❣

[@Cate7451]

PoleGem , yes, great comment, I guess when you have more compaction you would have a slower rot rate. More compaction would mean less oxygen an important factor in rot rate. So is there a way to add oxygen? Also would throwing green manure on help as well

[@silverbackag9790]

Most of the cellulose eating soil microbes are towards the surface. Think about where a fence post rots off….about three inches below ground to above an inch above.

[@ararespeciesauthenticity5281]

I just ordered some raised beds, watching your video gives me the confidence and knowledge to start my journey. With our economy tanking here in the US, time to go back to self sufficiency. The best part of all this is the wiggly worms 🪱 and fun eco-life living in the beds!! Going to share your videos with my garden loving friends!!

[@cour2knee]

I’m glad you did too!!! Fascinating what happened to these logs. I love seeing them in their 1/2 way journey to soil!

[@ravensnflies8167]

mark, your channel was the first i watched when i decided to use hugelkultur. now after doin it, seeing what it looks like after years, i know i made the right choice. im not doing raised beds but using mound method so i can make tiers of veggies. i watch your videos like a hawk on a rabbit. cant get enough. thanks brother.

[@robrobinson8328]

Mark is truly a great guy!!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks mate! Yes the mound method also looks very natural and whilst I do have the raised bed structure I like the low cost and efficiency of the original mound way of doing it also. Cheers :)

[@annemoler6257]

Ravensflies, What do you mean by using the mound method and making tiers of veggies? Does this apply to melons strawberries etc. as well? Thanks in advance.

[@ravensnflies8167]

@@annemoler6257 yes melons, beans and strawberries as well as tomatoes and some squash. instead of using a box i just pile up the wood, then put leaves all over it, water for weeks and then soil goes where the plant will be and it gets planted. seems to be working so far:D

[@bluebutterfly9695]

How can not giving a big like to someone who did so much effort just to show us his work, awesome video, thanks for sharing such a great informative video and wish you best of luck for your gardening

[@bebbles103]

I love this man so much ngl, his kind personality and the gardening just reminds me of my grandpa and it puts a huge smile on my face:)

[@nerdette314159]

Your enthusiasm is wonderful!! Love watching your videos!

[@killerluuk]

I've watched his videos for years and just can't get enough. Such a wholesome lad.

[@jfitzpatrick6108]

What a fantastic "Macro Biology in Action" lesson! I always 'knew' those processes happened in the woods & forests, but to actually _see_ _it,_ _in_ _action_ in a backyard garden was something really special to watch. Thank you for the "Up, Live & In Person" video. It was really great to watch!

[@Doc1855]

Hey Mark, Thanks for this video ! We had extra logs and branches (that we didn’t burn for pot ash) that we put in the bottom of our raised rose garden bed. We built this last summer. Thanks again !

[@LynnGagnon1]

This was so much work, but thank you for showing us what goes on underneath the surface. I'm always curious, but I have no reason to dig my beds up - I would have never imagined that the logs got this spoungy in such a short amount of time. Wonderful to see - thank you!

[@leslieshope7762]

should've had those chickens at the ready for those wood roaches! great vid, thanks for sharing!

[@leathelandlady]

2:33 "plenty of activity in this bed" 😂 I love it. And seriously, I love your videos. I put some organic matter from extra cuttings in a bed earlier this year and I'm hoping it's starting to break down nicely and improve my soil. I love your enthusiasm!

[@tamarar.4642]

I did this it will definitely improve your soil!! I grew a 14ft tomato plant in my bed. I started it at the beginning of quarantine. It's now September. I dug dip to see how it looks and the logs are still there but very soft with worms. I covered it back up with soil and planted my collard green seeds. I have 5 beds 3 of them are 4 ft deep those are the ones with huge tree logs.

[@marciah0312]

Thanks for this. We're getting two round raised bed planters next week and plan on doing the same with wood, sticks, and leaves. Love your garden! :) x

[@leokelly359]

I built kind of the same thing 8'x4'x24" its been setting for a year so I can plant in it next spring I did a layer of logs then a layer of mulch then cow manure mixed in with leaves and a bunch of grass clippings and then like 8" to 10" of good rich topsoil. that'll make 2 of them my other one I did 2 years ago and planted tomatoes green beans and some cucumbers growing vertically. I had more that I could even think about eating so I gave a bunch away. I plan putting in more year by year

[@debhewitt3531]

I did this with three raised beds 3x8x2 this year. I’m in California, U.S., so excited to watch your videos. Well done!!!

[@MrYoungsuss]

its 1 am and m watching this instead of sleeping because i want to know what happened

[@Selfsufficientme]

LOL... I was up at 1 am uploading this video because I was so keen/excited to get it out! We both shouldn't stay up so late - it's not good for us, cheers :)

[@jackalope_hunter]

@@Selfsufficientme You should grow some mushrooms on all this organic matter you've got! If you want to learn, the mycology community is very welcoming. Search up a forum and they'll help you out!

[@stutzbearcat8425]

I appreciate the effort you put into all of your videos!

[@theondebray]

Love your vids, so wish I had a huge garden & a climate like yours. BTW I water my compost heaps regularly with vegetable wash water (no detergent), scraps & all, and whenever possible add a bladderful of 'gardeners' delight'. It works wonders.

[@devandevan1403]

I restarted my little garden this summer thanks to you. With quarantine I have all the time in the world, and your videos just gave me the extra motivation I needed. I’m growing 5 tomato plants(two from suckers), a mandarin tree, and some basil. I forgot just how magical it can be to spend time gardening, and you brought that back for me.

[@drfred1203]

Mark, you are one down to Earth man. From the looks of the scars on your arm, it looks as though you’ve spent time wrestling crocs, or tigers, or juggling chainsaws, but still the bugs give you the heebs. I love it! Thanks for sharing your garden and the knowledge you have with all of us. Cheers!

[@waldoman7]

Actually it was wrestling chainsaws and juggling tigers. The crocs he leaves to the Irwins.

[@madeleinegh]

My partner found your channel after we discussed putting logs from our locust tree into our raised bed. Thank you for the informative and entertaining video! Cheers from Chicago, Illinois.

[@JanineMJoi]

This was FABULOUS!! THank you Mark!! I get it now! Wood holds moisture so it's like a wicking bed but gives alot more nature to the bed.

[@suehinson1629]

Like a "mom and pop" business! All business on the top, and living quarters in the basement! 😆 Thanks for sharing, inside the box!! Hope you have a great weekend and God Bless.

[@Selfsufficientme]

LOL... Thanks Sue! :)

[@valeriepowell1736]

Wow Sue that's great.....

[@davidcalderwood4131]

Dear friend: Forgive the intrusion. Your breathing while digging reminded me of me before my 4 way bypass. Seems like people love you and you have a lot of passion for this. Please for the sake of you and your family, please have your heart checked out. I’m a physician, and you have some risk factors for coronary arterial disease. Don’t want to see you as another statistic. Too many middle aged men from Northern European ancestry just keel over and take a dirt bath. If I am wrong, at least I err on the side of caution. Cheers, mate. Thanks for the video.

[@djcssleczkowski1485]

Dear David, I truly appreciate your watchful eye, and hearing. Most would ignore so hats off to you. I truly hope he is okay, that shoveling got him winded. GOD BLESS GOD SPEED

[@otherwayup]

Bump this.

[@kerrythompson6315]

Holy crap

[@twotone3070]

I too noticed that he looks fit and healthy from all of the manual labour but was breathing heavily. Granted we only saw some of the footage of the digging, but I was surprised by the breathlessness.

[@whereswendy8544]

Heavy exercise, like digging, actually makes a person breathe harder. Really. He’s healthier by far, with his lifestyle, than most desk jockeys could ever hope to be.

[@jeanettehaygood4154]

Hicama love! “J” has an H sound for these beautiful roots! I’m so glad that I found you today! We’re just getting ready to use an old, oval water trough as a raised bed and I had forgotten about hugelkultur! Especially exciting to see how it breaks down. 😎

[@libbysevicke-jones3160]

Thank you for that. I’m trying to set up a raised veggie garden up on a terraced clay bank, behind our off the grid cabin. There has been a lot of logs and rubbish ( smaller branches and leaf matter) as well, that we have had to clear out, when the creek has blocked up during torrential rain this winter. My idea was to build raised gardens into the clay banks and fill them up half way with this debris. My hubby has been a right pain in the you know what. So been able to play your video to him has finally shut him up, and reinforced my belief in doing something that seemed logical. Keep up the good work - Arohanui from across the ditch.