Systems fall into two general categories, simple and complex. Hugelkultur mounds fall into both.

Their simple design is little more than a mound of organic material placed over a nurse log as the anchor. Over time, the mounds naturally break down releasing nutrients, regulating soil temperature, and holding much needed moisture that benefits plant production in a complex structure mimicking that in nature.

Create a hugelkultur mound on campus that can be monitored over time. Test it by doing soil samples, measuring the height annually, and growing crops on its slopes that are also grown elsewhere on the property.

Did the hugelkultur mound produce as expected? How does production on the mound compare to traditional beds?

Take a periodic soil sample from the mound to measure pH, N, P, K.