Comments on: Use of Small Swales – a Case Study http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/07/use-of-small-swales-a-case-study/ Permaculture News, Commentary and Worldwide Projects. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:48:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Glen Abbott http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/07/use-of-small-swales-a-case-study/#comment-40318 Glen Abbott Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:21:29 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=2281#comment-40318 Awesome work Tim! There is no reason why every backyard in Australia can't have a productive edible landscape, hydrated by the proper harvesting of rainfall. Very nice use of Swales. PS. It looks as though you scored a few brownie points at xmas! Awesome work Tim! There is no reason why every backyard in Australia can’t have a productive edible landscape, hydrated by the proper harvesting of rainfall. Very nice use of Swales.

PS. It looks as though you scored a few brownie points at xmas!

]]> By: Dean http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/07/use-of-small-swales-a-case-study/#comment-40301 Dean Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:20:39 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=2281#comment-40301 Thanks Tim, I might approach my neighbours who have a water tank about 30 metres from the back of my block to see if they can help me out with some water until I get my own tank in place. If it means sending a few dollars their way for the water I use it should be a good learning experience. Thanks Tim, I might approach my neighbours who have a water tank about 30 metres from the back of my block to see if they can help me out with some water until I get my own tank in place. If it means sending a few dollars their way for the water I use it should be a good learning experience.

]]> By: Tim Auld http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/07/use-of-small-swales-a-case-study/#comment-40285 Tim Auld Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:03:45 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=2281#comment-40285 It varies according to the weather, but the garden might get about 30L of water daily by watering can at the base of the plants. It won't get irrigation for a couple of days after rain, less if the weather is hot. I'm not there most of the time so I can't monitor it directly, but I get regular reports. It varies according to the weather, but the garden might get about 30L of water daily by watering can at the base of the plants. It won’t get irrigation for a couple of days after rain, less if the weather is hot. I’m not there most of the time so I can’t monitor it directly, but I get regular reports.

]]> By: Dean http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/07/use-of-small-swales-a-case-study/#comment-40280 Dean Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:07:16 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=2281#comment-40280 I'm looking forward to giving this a go on my block. Given that I don't have a regular water supply at this time, it will be a matter of waiting until the end of Summer so that I can set up an irrigation system that I can feed manually. Tim, can you give me an idea of how much water you feel you are using at this time (daily? weekly?) to maintain your swale garden? I’m looking forward to giving this a go on my block. Given that I don’t have a regular water supply at this time, it will be a matter of waiting until the end of Summer so that I can set up an irrigation system that I can feed manually.

Tim, can you give me an idea of how much water you feel you are using at this time (daily? weekly?) to maintain your swale garden?

]]> By: Tim Auld http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/07/use-of-small-swales-a-case-study/#comment-40271 Tim Auld Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:33:05 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=2281#comment-40271 Hi Chris, It's definitely not insignificant and has inspired others. We estimate that the garden cost $300 to install (with some new and some salvaged materials), perhaps 16 hours to install including 3 citrus trees not pictured. It might take 3 or 4 hours to maintain each week which should decline with improved soil, predatory life and experience. Even with some crop failures (very few beans, not much corn and some other non-productive experiments), we estimate getting about $100 worth of fresh, organic produce in 2 months. We should break even soon. It's also provided hours of priceless relaxation and entertainment :) Hi Chris,

It’s definitely not insignificant and has inspired others. We estimate that the garden cost $300 to install (with some new and some salvaged materials), perhaps 16 hours to install including 3 citrus trees not pictured. It might take 3 or 4 hours to maintain each week which should decline with improved soil, predatory life and experience.

Even with some crop failures (very few beans, not much corn and some other non-productive experiments), we estimate getting about $100 worth of fresh, organic produce in 2 months. We should break even soon.

It’s also provided hours of priceless relaxation and entertainment :)

]]> By: Chris http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/07/use-of-small-swales-a-case-study/#comment-40207 Chris Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:18:13 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=2281#comment-40207 What a fabulous write up !! I had wondered how to apply all this knowledge to something small scale. I felt making a small garden might be insignificant !! But evidently not :-) What a fabulous write up !! I had wondered how to apply all this knowledge to something small scale. I felt making a small garden might be insignificant !! But evidently not :-)

]]> By: Tim Auld http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/07/use-of-small-swales-a-case-study/#comment-40062 Tim Auld Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:37:44 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=2281#comment-40062 Thanks, Dean! The garden was watered by hand for the couple of dry months leading up to Christmas. I am sure this will be required in the future, but I expect that as the humus content of the soil increases with decaying plants and the application of manure, compost and mulch, the water holding capacity will follow, reducing the irrigation requirement. The soil should act like a battery, lasting longer and longer between rain events. Good luck and be sure to document your efforts for everyone else to learn and be inspired! Thanks, Dean! The garden was watered by hand for the couple of dry months leading up to Christmas. I am sure this will be required in the future, but I expect that as the humus content of the soil increases with decaying plants and the application of manure, compost and mulch, the water holding capacity will follow, reducing the irrigation requirement. The soil should act like a battery, lasting longer and longer between rain events.

Good luck and be sure to document your efforts for everyone else to learn and be inspired!

]]> By: Dean http://permaculture.org.au/2010/01/07/use-of-small-swales-a-case-study/#comment-40060 Dean Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:02:38 +0000 http://permaculture.org.au/?p=2281#comment-40060 Great stuff Tim. I have only recently seen Geoff Lawton's videos and am completely inspired to put these concepts into practice on my 5-acre block just north of Perth, Western Australia. Do you see your swale garden requiring any watering in the drier and warmer months? Cheers, Dean Great stuff Tim. I have only recently seen Geoff Lawton’s videos and am completely inspired to put these concepts into practice on my 5-acre block just north of Perth, Western Australia.

Do you see your swale garden requiring any watering in the drier and warmer months?

Cheers,

Dean

]]>