I moved in to a new house that backs up to a forest, so I had plenty of material for a hugel bed.

In addition to my own compost and logs, I added a variety of bagged compost, peat moss, and put the existing soil back on. I enclosed it with 2x12 boards and planted greens for fall and peas and fava beans that I inoculated.

That looks beautiful! I can't imagine not growing great crops in there.

Thanks! I will post a pic tomorrow of what's growing now.

Plenty of material. Im thinking I wish I had done that. I have lots of trash trees to cut. Instead of peat moss, I have the floor under the rabbit cages. Its gotten too hot for rabbits. But rabbit poop and straw would be a great contribution to hugel beds. Thanks for the inspiration.

I like that the wood is contained in a shallow pit. Seems like it would pretty manageable and not scatter everywhere.

Here is the finished product:

Wonderful Job, I love how neat it is.

What are your first crops in your new bed?

A planted a variety of different salad mixes, beets, carrots, kale and basil. I have a season extender that I can put on.

Nice! When do you get your first frost?

Around September 15

Ouch! How much time does your season extender give you?

About a month. Then I can overwinter some things.

DH built a tall cold frame for me so that I can put large pots of kale or other stuff in it to overwinter. While it would be nice one of these days to go more solar, I do run an electrical cord into it to run a 60-watt light bulb if it gets too cold.

Your season extender just fits over the frame?

That's a really great way to do that bed. Who would guess from looking at it that there are all those goodies underneath!

Is it decomposition of nitrogen-rich ingredients the only way to generate heat for extending the season?

@hazelnut it could easily be that way, but I bought one from territorial seed.

@grizzlyjoe it has shrunk down about four inches since building. Just enough for me to add shredded leaves and perlite.

@shadegardener I put a mini green house over it. I put a lot of N because of the wood. It helps it break down.

I have updated photos. The greens as you can see have really taken off! I have enjoyed two salads so far with many to go before the season's end.

Nice! Looks like they're lovin' that new bed. I'm trying to get some cool-season greens going but it's so dang hot that the babies are wilting. I may have to bring them indoors to keep them cool.