We're experimenting with a hexagonal raised bed design idea borrowed from the honeycomb project (http://www.honeycombproject-cic.com/). Raised beds offer a lot of advantages over conventional garden beds. The main benefit is the soil does not have to be tilled annually because the it retains its structure while staying aerated and moist. Tilling kills worms that help create soil and forces the microorganisms to overmetabolize and die. Coupled with deforestation, wind and water erosion, and uncontoured cultivation patterns, the fate of tilled soil is bleak. We can all appreciate skipping the back breaking labour of tilling the soil with a shovel.

A hexagon shape is chosen because it gives us the largest garden area with the least amount of walking space when multiple beds are arranged adjacent to each other. A hole is dug as deep as the boards are high. The dirt is shoveled onto a tarp.

Small twigs and branches and old brown paper are placed in the hole. This provides the volume we need to fill the raised bed, and also provides good aeration. Old compost which had too much wet, nitrogen rich wastes added to it is dumped on top of the twigs. The twigs and the wet compost balance into a favorable composting condition.

The dirt is shoveled back on top, and fills the bed to the brim.

Time to plant!