Why We Use Hügelkultur at High Mountain Organics

On our farm we are always looking for ways to grow in harmony with nature. One of the most transformative decisions we’ve made is building our beds using hügelkultur—a regenerative gardening technique that’s centuries old and rooted in ecological wisdom. Given our unique climate and values, hügelkultur just made sense.

The origins of hügelkultur can be traced back to traditional farming practices in Eastern Europe and Germany, where gardeners and farmers made the most of woody debris and compostable materials. The word itself means “mound culture” in German. These early farmers built raised beds from decomposing wood and organic matter, mimicking the natural processes found on a forest floor. What they created were self-sustaining, moisture-retentive garden beds that needed little irrigation or fertilization—values that resonate deeply with permaculture principles and our approach to cannabis cultivation.

Why We Chose Hügelkultur for Our Farm

When we were preparing our new plantation, we had to consider not just what would grow well, but what we didn’t want to incorporate. Where we were planning on growing our new patch was full of invasive couch grass that we didn’t want taking over our planting beds. We started by laying cardboard to suppress weeds and create a clean slate. Then came the logs. And not just a few—we hauled and placed over 120 truckloads of wood from our own land to build out the plantation.

Holy couch grass! Let’s try something different.

We primarily used softwoods—cottonwoods, birch, poplar—because they break down faster. We steer clear of hardwoods, which can take too long to decompose, and avoid conifer needles, which are too acidic for our soil balance. Ideally, we work with dead trees that are already beginning to rot and show signs of mycelium. Those early signs of decay are actually an invitation for life.

As we built each mound, we paid close attention to layering. First came the rougher materials: logs, sawdust, leaf matter, composted hay, and even brambles. Then we layered in softer materials like hay and fine compost. One thing we learned—don’t pack the logs too tightly. The spaces between are crucial. That’s where mushrooms thrive, and where the microbial life can really flourish.

These beds are living systems. The logs act like giant sponges, holding moisture far longer than ordinary soil could—an essential feature in a place like Lillooet, one of the hottest and driest regions in Canada. We also installed drip irrigation for precision watering, which allows us to use every drop wisely.

Another feature we love? You can plant the borders of the hügel beds. We orient ours so that the north side gets our cool-loving crops and the south side gets the sun-lovers. It’s like growing in microclimates, right in your own garden bed.

Our companion planting looking gorgeous by seasons end.

The Human Side of Regeneration

There’s also a human benefit we didn’t anticipate right away: ergonomics. With raised beds built to waist height, our team doesn’t have to bend or crouch as much. That means more comfortable workdays and fewer sore backs—especially important when you’re hand-trimming, transplanting, and tending plants daily.

Beyond practicality, hügelkultur lets us build living soil. It invites beneficial fungi, microbes, and earthworms, all of which create a healthy, balanced root zone. As the wood slowly breaks down over the years, it continues to release nutrients—offering natural fertility with minimal outside inputs.

An arial view of HMO’s grow site.

And perhaps most meaningfully, we’re closing the loop. By recycling dead trees and brush from our land, we’re not just avoiding waste—we’re honoring what the land gives us, and returning those gifts to the soil. This also means mitigating fire risk, which is a big issue in our dry climate.

In a time when sustainable, intentional agriculture is more important than ever, hügelkultur allows us to grow premium organic cannabis in a way that respects and restores the earth. For us, it’s not just about producing great flower—it’s about tending the soil, conserving water, and building something that can thrive for generations.