We live in New Mexico and have LOTS of bolders. Are swales the best way tofarm in the desert climate? We live on relatively flat land. Definitely not hilly like the video. Are swales good for flater land?
Swales are NOT for every climate or area for sure! Thank you for asking! I'd need to know a bit more information about your site :) but likely you don't need them everywhere but you might need them or other earthworks more minimally to maximize water infiltration. Have you read Brad Lancaster's Earthworks book? I just reviewed the 2nd edition - SO GOOD!! & he's from AZ so it's perfect!!
@@MattPowersSoil I have not read his book. But I will look for it, thank you! We are on untouched raw land. I'd love to show and give you more info about our land!
Nice vid thanks for sharing I have one question regarding rainwater harvesting vol2 p98 Is it worth making a swale when you have a more sandy loamy soil and little clay,with grass/lawn ? On one hand we have a runoff coefficient of about 15 so or 85% of the rainwater already infiltrates soil without swale so only 15% is lost in total. On the other hand maybe this 85% of direct rain do not infiltrate as deep as the swale does. And the 15% is worth much more because it’s 15% from all the garden for exemple Question is for temperate climate 1100mm /year Thanks in advance
if the swales will hold shape, I'd do it. It's not just about the runoff of water: it's about the runoff of organic matter, nutrients, etc. You can also rip it on contour.
Swales are not required nor needed everywhere. In many places, they are only a starting place, a guide, and then we adjust 1-2% grade to slowly wick water outward from that wet space into the drier regions. What're your goals for this site? That's the key factor in earthworks etc.
@@MattPowersSoil thanks for the response! I was all about swales, but then read rainwater harvesting, and he mentions on flatlands to use basins. I dont know that my land is flat enough for basins or sloped enough for swales. As far as my goals, Im starting out on desert raw land (dolan springs, az) no nothing other than a few bushes and an occassional yucca. No water utility, im there 1/wk max. Looking to reenergize the property and eventually homestead sustainably off grid
@@quietlike so initially I'd figure out how much water is passing through the area, what's the watershed like above you? Swales can work in that climate but as part of keyline design.
@@MattPowersSoil I watched your keyline video where you mention Yeoman is more about ponds and dams, where holzer is about water retention. By this do you mean, Yeoman stores water in the open (ponds), where holzer stores water in the ground (mulch sponge)? If so, Ill assume to go the holzer route, being hte the desert and having less evaporation. Yea? I think Im just looking for someone to say, "yea that sounds right, do it" to give me confidence in my plans :) thanks! Cant wait to get started!
@@quietlike Ok so there's some nuance and overlap here: Yeomans said I believe that if you have water in a dam at the end of the season, that's a waste. His dams and earthworks were designed to move water and use water to rehydrate the landscape, so the water retention dams are just unsealed ponds essentially, and Yeomans would be making those hold water instead so he can distribute the water along the keyline wings and spillways, etc. Does that make sense? There's a bit of visualization here that migth be a challenge. Keyline geometry took me some time to grasp and that's the case with most people. I'll have more visuals on this asap with the Ending California Wildfires video I'm working on
I actually just started building swales on my property, I did one just by eye-ing it and it turned out alright but the A-frame is definitely gonna help with the rest of the swales I build. I’m in decomposing granite and hard red clay so I’m mulching and planting quinoa with beans and alfalfa. I’m planting fruit trees a foot downhill from the swales, is that a good or bad idea? I love your stuff man, keep up the good work and I can’t wait to see how this new property evolves for you.👍
typically the trees are planted squarely in the swale with shrubs, ground cover, and smaller trees on the downslope, BUT you can do a macro system combination too depending on your situation.
As a petite woman, I'm a fan of the pick. It is so much easier to dig with, particularly if you have heavy clay soil.
If your local or state government is that constraining, you need to pack up and come to Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, or Texas!
I've really enjoyed going through your Playlist, thank you for sharing.
Thanks for this video Mat!!!
Kylo Ren building a swale, I saw everything
Never underestimate the power of the dark side of the force
"Every tree is monitored by the county". What a nightmare.
can I do swales in a backyard that is flat?
Can you plant blueberries on the berms? Or will they rot from excess water?
Чудове відео, головне бажання !!!!
Thank you! I have so pasture I will try to
Do this in. Just looks like it takes time and muscle.
We live in New Mexico and have LOTS of bolders. Are swales the best way tofarm in the desert climate? We live on relatively flat land. Definitely not hilly like the video. Are swales good for flater land?
Swales are NOT for every climate or area for sure! Thank you for asking! I'd need to know a bit more information about your site :) but likely you don't need them everywhere but you might need them or other earthworks more minimally to maximize water infiltration. Have you read Brad Lancaster's Earthworks book? I just reviewed the 2nd edition - SO GOOD!! & he's from AZ so it's perfect!!
@@MattPowersSoil I have not read his book. But I will look for it, thank you!
We are on untouched raw land. I'd love to show and give you more info about our land!
Great video 👍👍
This is amazing...
Nice vid thanks for sharing
I have one question regarding rainwater harvesting vol2 p98
Is it worth making a swale when you have a more sandy loamy soil and little clay,with grass/lawn ?
On one hand we have a runoff coefficient of about 15 so or 85% of the rainwater already infiltrates soil without swale so only 15% is lost in total.
On the other hand maybe this 85% of direct rain do not infiltrate as deep as the swale does.
And the 15% is worth much more because it’s 15% from all the garden for exemple
Question is for temperate climate 1100mm /year
Thanks in advance
if the swales will hold shape, I'd do it. It's not just about the runoff of water: it's about the runoff of organic matter, nutrients, etc. You can also rip it on contour.
@@MattPowersSoil thank you for responding Matt !
I like the shoes you are wearing!
My man was using a flat shovel to dig with that's tough
Bro your awesome, keep it up!!!
Is that Justin Rhodes' "Maple" bus in the background? 😮
Do you have a email i can reach you at?
what about flatlands? i have 5 acres and it slopes 20 ft down across 350 ft
Swales are not required nor needed everywhere. In many places, they are only a starting place, a guide, and then we adjust 1-2% grade to slowly wick water outward from that wet space into the drier regions. What're your goals for this site? That's the key factor in earthworks etc.
@@MattPowersSoil thanks for the response! I was all about swales, but then read rainwater harvesting, and he mentions on flatlands to use basins. I dont know that my land is flat enough for basins or sloped enough for swales.
As far as my goals, Im starting out on desert raw land (dolan springs, az) no nothing other than a few bushes and an occassional yucca. No water utility, im there 1/wk max. Looking to reenergize the property and eventually homestead sustainably off grid
@@quietlike so initially I'd figure out how much water is passing through the area, what's the watershed like above you? Swales can work in that climate but as part of keyline design.
@@MattPowersSoil I watched your keyline video where you mention Yeoman is more about ponds and dams, where holzer is about water retention.
By this do you mean, Yeoman stores water in the open (ponds), where holzer stores water in the ground (mulch sponge)? If so, Ill assume to go the holzer route, being hte the desert and having less evaporation. Yea?
I think Im just looking for someone to say, "yea that sounds right, do it" to give me confidence in my plans :) thanks! Cant wait to get started!
@@quietlike Ok so there's some nuance and overlap here: Yeomans said I believe that if you have water in a dam at the end of the season, that's a waste. His dams and earthworks were designed to move water and use water to rehydrate the landscape, so the water retention dams are just unsealed ponds essentially, and Yeomans would be making those hold water instead so he can distribute the water along the keyline wings and spillways, etc. Does that make sense? There's a bit of visualization here that migth be a challenge. Keyline geometry took me some time to grasp and that's the case with most people. I'll have more visuals on this asap with the Ending California Wildfires video I'm working on
I actually just started building swales on my property, I did one just by eye-ing it and it turned out alright but the A-frame is definitely gonna help with the rest of the swales I build. I’m in decomposing granite and hard red clay so I’m mulching and planting quinoa with beans and alfalfa. I’m planting fruit trees a foot downhill from the swales, is that a good or bad idea? I love your stuff man, keep up the good work and I can’t wait to see how this new property evolves for you.👍
typically the trees are planted squarely in the swale with shrubs, ground cover, and smaller trees on the downslope, BUT you can do a macro system combination too depending on your situation.
After just a few seconds of you actually talking, I'm getting some Hoocho vibes with your presentation style.
I’m felling my trees as fast as I can clean up the mess.
Wait, I thought you were in California?
This is from last year - it's part of The Advanced Permaculture Student Online. I'll have pt 3 of the site tour up soon!! :) :) :)
Fight democrat communisum and free up restrictions. Not all things are ok for government to do
❤❤❤❤
No thanks, energy wasted digging by hand.