Growing Well with The Well
In the heart of Kuta, Lombok, The Well is more than just a restaurant, it's a place where food, people, and nature come together. With a focus on health, sustainability, and community, The Well brings a thoughtful approach to everything they do, including their beautiful garden.
When I joined the project, the team had already prepared solid wooden garden beds. Our task was to fill them with life, and we did that by implementing the hugelkultur method, a regenerative approach that builds deep, nutrient-rich soil from the ground up.
What is Hugelkultur?
Hugelkultur is a method where garden beds are filled with layered organic material. It mimics forest floor decomposition and turns natural waste into long-term fertility.
Here’s how we did it at The Well:
Bottom Layer (50%): Rotten logs, bamboo, dry branches, this forms the sponge-like core that holds moisture and slowly releases nutrients.
Middle Layer (25%): Leaves and dried grass to fill the gaps and help the bed settle.
Top Layer (25%): A mix of mature compost and mulch to feed the first crops.
Then we applied rice hay mulch, a natural choice during harvest season in Lombok. In Kuta's hot and dry climate, mulching is essential: it reduces evaporation, protects soil life, and keeps weeds down.
From Bed to Plate
With the beds filled and mulched, we began planting. Heat-tolerant herbs and leafy greens like basil, lettuce, and local varieties went in. Alongside my coworker Rozi, we also guided Abel, The Well’s gardener, through how to care for and maintain the new system.
Within a few short months, the garden was thriving. It now directly supports The Well’s kitchen, providing ultra-fresh herbs and greens for their plant-forward dishes.
A Place That Grows More Than Food
What makes The Well unique isn't just the food, it's the space. It’s where local and expat families gather, where children play in a beautiful on-site playground with trusted staff to care for them while parents enjoy the space. And now, the garden has become a quiet teacher, helping kids and guests see where food comes from and how it’s grown.
This project is special to me because it blends everything I care about: regenerative systems, local food, education, and community. And these photos below (courtesy of The Well) capture just a glimpse of that beauty.
This project is special to me because it blends everything I care about: regenerative systems, local food, education, and community.
Cultivating Connection at The Well Lombok: A Garden for Community and Cuisine
A behind-the-scenes look at how we built a regenerative garden at The Well, Kuta Lombok, from hugelkultur beds and rice-straw mulch to hands-on training with local gardeners. This blog shares how food, sustainability, and community all grow together.
2 min read