We built a "U" shaped hugelkultur bed to act as a wind break and microclimate for our bee hive. The hives are located on a hillside and the hugel beds will allow us to establish some trees, shrubs, and other bee friendly plantings.

First we dug out the curved shape with the Kubota and then started bringing brush and trees to cut up and put into the dugout.

Then we covered the wood with the exavated soil, planted blackberries every 2' into the swale and planted 3 Sugar Maple trees around the perimeter. Hopefully the bees will enjoy the shade in a few years.