Ours has just installed a bunch on a road to stop flooding. Neighbours are complaining 'it doesn't flood here, it floods downhill'. I am not going to try to explain to them.
@@SMTRodent It may be good if you did explain to them though. We can all be the advocates for the change we need in the world. And one way to do this is to inform ourselves with good practices and information, and then help inform others. It takes a community working together to bring about the positive change we need.
@@SMTRodent it floods downhill because there's no infiltration uphill or downhill. You could explain it to them by inviting them around to a (hopefully mask-mandatory; don't want you or them getting sick) gathering at yours, where you'll have to get a whiteboard and an easel to draw a diagram of the hill (including layers, and the unconfined aquifer), and the rainwater flow. But they'd have to be receptive to it.
Maybe you should tell also that more trees along the streets cool the neighbourhood and lower ambient temps reduce the elec bill for running the airco's.
I was liking your videos for ages. Then Bob Avis recommended a book about water harvesting. I bought it. To my surprise it was you who wrote it. I was so happy. The book is amazing. Thank you mr Brad Lancaster. You are doing an incredible work.
I started "planting the rain" but then realized I was planting it underneath my foundation. Oops 😅 lol. Much love Brad! Super stoked to see new content from you 🔥💯💪😁
Love this man. I have been harvesting rain water in barrels . This needs to be passed to all HOAs who tell you what you can do and refrain you from doing something this magnificent to save the planet. We need more Brads globally
I Really appreciate this, here on the west coast of British Columbia we have been experiencing less and less rainfall in the past 10 years or so , way to think out of the box!!!
We need armies of you to infiltrate positions of high leadership...along with massive budget reallocation. Unfortunately, if anything like that happens, it's not going to be timely, so I think our best bet is to follow your methods on a widespread individual level.
I think we need to be more proactive. I worry about all the Californians that are moving here. They're too consoomeristic. They consumed their state and now it's off to the next one. They'll destroy us too if we don't actively educate them on the subject. I think in order to get a drivers license they should include rainwater understanding as part of the test.
@@williamhad here's what I posted on the latest upload from The David Feldman Show: "Aloha David. Thanks for reading our comments. I wanted to take a moment to bring something to your attention: As you know, now that we're living in the midst of climate change, extreme weather has become the norm - record breaking heat and droughts, rainfall and flooding. I'm afraid that what we're currently seeing is only the beginning. Conventional industrial approaches not only cannot address these natural disasters, but have contributed to causing them: centralizing and delivering the water we use instead of collecting it locally and naturally. (Also: see Flint, MI) We need a new* approach to these problems in this new era: federal and local mandates of passive earthworks rainwater catchment implemented in our towns, cities and watersheds. (Please don't fall asleep just yet) In the book series Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, by Brad Lancaster, the practice of shaping our environment in a way that slows the flow of water through the landscape is fully explained and illustrated. The importance of this practice is twofold. First, slowing the flow of water through the landscape mitigates the impact of heavy rainfall events, turning what would normally be flooding into a manageable, moderated flow of water. Secondly, enough rain can fall in a single event to supply irrigation and drinking water for our towns, cities, and rural agricultural areas for an entire year. Once the landscape has been shaped to passively catch rainwater, surrounding vegetation begins to thrive. Soil quality improves, biodiversity increases, etc. We CANNOT rely on large scale agriculture and current water infrastructure to survive in the upcoming future. WE need to start being proactive in these efforts... I appreciate very much your political commentary, and fighting towards changing current state and federal policies to actually help the people. As "the Left" I would assert that we will have a much higher and more immediate return on investment by really grasping the gravity of the climate change issue and beginning to regularly incorporate these sorts of critical ecological topics into our conversations (vs. trying to change things through the route of bureaucracy). We need to ween ourselves off of this system (and our so-called leaders) that very clearly are not acting in our best interests. My assertion is based on my belief that we have a VERY limited window of time in which to take action that gives us the best chance for survival as a species. The sooner we start providing for our own basic needs, the sooner we can lift the boots of this ruthless capitalist society off of our necks. Becoming self-sustained is one of the best bargaining chips we could ever have. I would ask you to have a guest like Brad Lancaster come onto your show at least for a brief segment. And I would encourage you to read his books as well. Please consider using your platform to disseminate this critical information. Again: thank you so much for reading our comments, thank you for your time, your compassion, and your tireless efforts fighting for the wellbeing of the working people of this nation and the world."
This is pretty cheap to institute compared to adding extensive underground drainage systems. Get involved in local government and be a rainwater harvesting guerilla, too.
Congrats on being ready to catch that rain, and for the rain that fell! I'm watching this video while pumping yesterday's rain into long-term storage so I can catch more tonight. Brad Lancaster is a force for good!
What sort of long term storage are you talking about if I may ask? Some rain tanks? I have a few that have been completely topped off all monsoon so I think I need to expand my system.
@@williamhad I have lots of 3000 gallon plastic tanks so I can store water from the wet season to water plants at other times. But the cheapest storage is what you can make with a shovel to have shallow infiltration basins and rain gardens so you're just storing water in the ground directly. An inch of rain falling on 1000 square feet of roof or pavement yields 600 gallons!
Your enthusiasm is so infectious! Thank you for your fascinating videos, and for encouraging people to reconsider their relationship with water and the rain. Instead of watching it pass on by, rather inviting it in and down into the earth and ultimately up into trees and leaves! So simple, really. When did we all forget this? The birds are certainly glad you haven't. So lovely to hear them all singing around you as you speak. And inspiring to see the dead, flat, paved surfaces transform into living growth.
This needs thousands of likes. I’m sending this good idea to my sister who is in Phoenix now. I’m not used to dryness being from SETX but this is an awesome idea.
When I converted my lawn to natives and succulents, I made a swale which capture roof runoff. I can store more rain water in the ground than in rain barrels.
Ha ! Not sure why this was JUST recommended---Been subscribed for a long while. But Brad is a great guy who knows water harvesting as well as anyone...have his books...and was integral to first getting this water harvesting movement going. All commercial & residential properties need to get to some reasonable level of water capture & hold...and not just for flood capture, but for regular usage...
Over here in Cape Town, South Africa, the water also just runs away. Change is coming slowly, I dug a trench a spade deep almost from my roof's gutter in my front yard to within 3 feet from the edge of the property. I have a mole problem, or are they helping to get the water I harvest deeper into the soil?. From a grass lawn to having a food forest in my front yard. From no trees to three small trees in my front yard, I only planted the lemon tree yesterday, with garlic here and there, asparagus in a patch and a Cape gooseberry bush.5 houses away from my home there is a young man that understands permaculture so change is coming to the world.
Great explanation! for those who live in drylands: 43mm is quite a lot! We have calculated that with 35mm we can start planting...(PS thanks for the conversion! I always forget how to convert inches-milimeters...)You make it so simple and "doable"... )
Brad you’re Awesome! We recently got volume 2 and now are going to get 1 & 3! We live on 9 acres in Pearce here in Cochise County (moved to our raw land the end of September). Super glad we found you before we really started building much! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, the great videos and Awesome work you’ve done!
Pretty much need to do that all over California too. I reuse laundry rinse water for ornamentals after letting it sit for at least a day in a tub, and shower water for the loo. Water from washing fruits and vegetables go back to the vegetables and fruit trees. But I think the real difference is in harvesting rain.
1.7 to 4.0 inches of rain annually including those last two rains. Maybe 45 to 100 millimeters of rain. I saw typical range for Sonoran Desert between 3 and 20 inches annually. And as he is saying it's very seasonal. We are seeing more of this type of pattern in other regions too. Very wide range, lower numbers than past years, and most importantly, not evenly distributed. More regions seem to be experiencing very prolonged near drought conditions for weeks to months and then sudden onset of torrential rains that overflow existing water courses and end up being large scale overland sheet runoff with lots of silt carry off. These types of water harvesting structures will become more common place. Easy to install, minimal cost, low maintenance and most importantly creates water sumps in the local topography.
@@tannerbriggs9127 Glad you did. Congratulations on finishing it. I've watched plenty of recordings of his talks on other channels, I am glad to have found his channel, and gladder still that he has been adding to his channel regularly of late. I binge watched a bunch of videos on his channel because because of the positive content. I want to see more. It's permaculture porn, lol. I've been a long time fan of his and regularly suggest his videos to others whenever they discuss issues of drought, planting, etc...
I am worried that previously temporate lands will become arid during my lifetime. Last twenty years my country now has mostly mild winters and very hot summers. This was not the norm in the twenty years prior. Both twenty year periods are warmer than the twenty years prior to them. Very concerning. You do good work. We need more permaculture principles in our city planning everywhere.
Yep. Advocate for it and keep evolving it to best suit the unique conditions of your area. For example, the plants utilized should vary from site to site so you choose plants best adapted to the unique microclimates and water availablity of each site. See more at www.harvestingrainwater.com/resources/rain-garden-planting-zones/
Great to see a new video! We have rain water basins in our yard and they FINALLY filled all the way and also overflowed a bunch when we got 1.4 inches at our place. A lot of my mulch floated away. Any particular suggestions about avoiding mulch loss? Also, where can I get more info on that circular curb cut style?
I'm not him, but have a lot of interest in his books and rainwater harvesting and might be able to give you some idea of what to try. If possible, you want to design your rain water basins to where the overflow happens in a way that traps the mulch. The best way I can describe how this works is to refer to a small local project that was completed in Mesa some years back. The Watershed Management Group (an organization that Brad has worked with and probably still does) cut some curbs and made some street side rain basins in downtown Mesa near the Mesa Urban Garden. The city of Mesa hosted a couple of classes on rainwater harvesting, and the presenters were the Watershed Management Group. I attended those classes and one of the cool things about them was they showed us the rain basins and explained some things about them. Whenever possible, you want to try to set up your rain basins so both gravity and sort of a debris trap helps keep mulch in the basins. It's easiest to explain by looking at pictures from the actual site: 1) Picture #1 -- watershedmg.org/sites/default/files/styles/co/public/sites/mug_lid_after_dd_mesa_sm.jpg?itok=WIqkT7rP This is when they first created the basins. It's hard to see in the picture, but the basin does have mulch in it and some plants (there is a lot more vegetation in them now). The key thing they pointed out to us is how the basin is much lower than the street, so when water enters it, it flows over the rock debris trap and down into the basin. Then, when the basin fills up, the water back flows out over the rock (at an upward slope), so it helps to keep most of the mulch from escaping the basin. The very gradual slope of the basins (and fact they are lower than the adjacent street/curb) also helps. 2) Picture #2 -- watershedmg.org/sites/default/files/styles/co/public/sites/mug_august_2015.jpg?itok=B2ciDalu This pictures shows water actively flowing into the basin. Notice how it's flowing from the street, over the rocks, and then downward into the basin. You can also see that there are a few different plants planted near the edge of the rock debris catch. As these plants get bigger, they will also help to create a barrier that helps to keep the mulch from escaping (also filtering what comes into the basin). 3) Picture #3 -- watershedmg.org/sites/default/files/styles/co/public/sites/mug_rock_armour_basin_2_aug_2015.jpg?itok=Wkyaem_h This is a picture of the basin just after a rain (the water has soaked into the mulch). Notice how the rocks trapped some debris (probably stuff from the street), but also think about how water flowing over those rocks in a gradual downward slope into the basin below the street level can help keep most of the mulch in the basin. Now, if your rain gardens are basins on your property and not adjacent to the street, you want to look wherever they overflow. You should try to design the overflow so it's going into another basin if possible, but if there's ultimately a spot on your property where the water is going to flow out of your rain gardens and off of your property (potentially carrying mulch with it), try to see if you can design that spot to allow water to escape, but still trap mulch from escaping. I don't know if that was clear, but hopefully looking at the pictures helps it make some sense and maybe it will give you some ideas that will work in your situation. If not, sorry for the TL;DR. Edit to add: I see Brad replied and, like he said, definitely check out his books. They have a lot of really useful illustrations and examples.
See the newly revised full-color edition of my book "Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 2, 2nd Edition" chapter 8 for more info on the curb cores. To reduce mulch loss use organic mulch in "eddy" or "backwater" basins, rather than in flow-through basin. See the new Volume 2 for more. And plant a living mulch. Native vegetation appropriate to your site's microclimate is best. See the new Volumes 1 and 2 for recommendations.
Both books have information about native species, but I think the second volume gives more examples, including species native to Tucson. I can't remember off the top of my head how detailed the info about food-bearing plants gets in the books. You can also find related info on Brad's websites: www.harvestingrainwater.com/plant-lists-resources/ www.desertharvesters.org/plants And here's some resources about native Sonoran desert plants (see: the top left, brown colored box): www.desertharvesters.org/dh-resources
I'd just like to recommend getting a "jesuit/Josefin" pomegranate tree This variety comes from the mission and has been living there practically unattended for centuries. Mine hasn't fruited yet but supposedly you can get fruit with little to no water. I'd also recommend getting Jujube trees. They take very little water and produce tons of fruit. These arent AZ native but I think they should be seen as important for insuring food security in AZ.
See the plant appendix in Volume 1, the book Eat Mesquite and More, and the book Food Plants of the Sonoran Desert - all apply in the southern part of the state especially.
Brad, instead of mulch why not cover the ground with native grasses and sedges? Great concept btw. I wish every city would do this before it's too late. Thanks for the video.
Do you need a permit from the city government to do the curb cut? Also, sadly, this is a litigious society, is there any exposure to liability if some pedestrian or some passenger exiting a car steps into the basin? Do you need a small barrier around the basin to reduce the likelihood of that happening? Are petroleum and other “industrial effluents” like antifreeze, or rubber from tires accumulating in the basin a concern, or will a bacterial community develop to break these down? Those might be some considerations for planning the location and design of the basin. Urban Heat Island effect is a real big deal in the desert SW. It might be interesting to do some temperature data collection NOW and later when the shade canopy is established to support a wider adoption of this game-changing flood-control/drought control strategy.
Thanks for a very important video! All life begins with water, precious water and letting it just run off is well...terrible. Have you experimented with adding manure as well as mulch to increase and diversify the soil microbiome. Have you experimented with adding mycorrhizal fungi to speed up soil formation? What do you think of the water harvesting projects in the Sahel, the Sinai desert and Burkina Faso? Thanks again.
Yes we add manure or compost as available. In the video if you look closely you'll see the mulch is the composted bedding from our goat pen and includes the goat manure. We introduce duff from under mature mesquite trees to introduce mycorrhizal fungi. I've seen some great examples of water harvesting in the Sahel and Burkina Faso and include examples of some of these in the full-color edition of my Volume 2 book.
So cal here, showed the wife the idea and she said no way are you digging holes in my lawn ,what will my neighbors think? We can afford the sprinklers so I’m not changing, put that shovel away! How the hell do I fight this mind set?
I've actually been to Saudi Arabia and learned a lot from traditional water harvesting practices there. The first edition of my first book was translated into Arabic, but I don't know if it is still in print. I'm looking for an Arabic-language publisher to publish Arabic editions of the new revised and expanded full-color editions of my books. www.harvestingrainwater.com/arabic-language-edition-of-rainwater-harvesting-for-drylands-and-beyond-volume-1-1st-edition/
Just had a thought which comes to nothing: theoretically, if people were daft enough to be using wells for their water in those zones (which would cause these basins to dry out because they live off the same unconfined aquifer that those wells would), this'd probably raise the level of water in those, nah?
Notice in the soil he excavated by the curb? Very hydrophilic. It clumped and held the water. Looks like clay, not a lot of organic matter as expected. So to create the soil, from this dirt, add plants and cover with lots of mulch in these sumps all over the area. The tree cover should be very substantial in 10 years if the rains don't stop entirely. I watched another Tucson based arborist with a massive planting encompassing his whole lot. Never added any water, only rain water sustaining the plants. The key he said was very thick (up to a foot) of mulch applied evenly throughout the lot.
How do we do this when we get no rain in Calif during the summer. I have rain water catchment but it doesn’t last the entire summer. I want to do greywater and our county here prohibits it totally.
Deeper pit, more biomass in the pit. Sometimes counties allow experimental permits, so to speak. Inquire about the latter, and show them Brad's books and videos. Often local conservation districts and extension services are great resources.
The plants native to your area survive just fine without summer rain. They have adapted to those conditions. Learn from them. Plant them. The water harvesting will make the water linger longer into the dry season. See my books and website, www.harvestingrainwater.com/, for more strategies.
Heads up that I wanted to purchase your book(s) from your website and your SSL certificate has expired so it is blocked until you udate the certificate. Dude, I don't want to give Amazon the money!!
We legalized this in Tucson, AZ. Before that it was illegal, or rather "pre-legal". We helped change the law with the pilot project of our good working example. Constructive advocacy for such policy from a community's citizens makes a big difference in generating the political will for such change. That's how we helped legalize, incentivize, and mandate such strategies in Tucson, AZ. And directing your policy makers to good examples elsewhere makes them much more receptive. Tucson, AZ is now one such example. Seattle, Washington (and their SEA Streets projects) and Portland, Oregon (and their Green Streets projects) were some of the early inspirations for some of the positive changes we've made in Tucson. See more examples at www.harvestingrainwater.com/gallery/street-side-water-harvesting-image-gallery/
I'd love to see what kind of chemicals are in that water that runs into the channels... and what it's doing to our bodies when consumed... But hey, we still got them clean water here from the tap... ('forever chemicals' never arises in any talks)...
They changed the laws because it made such good sense. Now rainwater harvesting is part of the requirement for new builds in his city, and they're doing it in all sorts of beautiful ways.
We legalized this in Tucson, AZ. Before that it was illegal, or rather "pre-legal". We helped change the law with the pilot project of our good working example. Constructive advocacy for such policy from a community's citizens makes a big difference in generating the political will for such change. That's how we helped legalize, incentivize, and mandate such strategies in Tucson, AZ. And directing your policy makers to good examples elsewhere makes them much more receptive. Tucson, AZ is now one such example. Seattle, Washington (and their SEA Streets projects) and Portland, Oregon (and their Green Streets projects) were some of the early inspirations for some of the positive changes we've made in Tucson. See more examples at www.harvestingrainwater.com/gallery/street-side-water-harvesting-image-gallery/
Hi Brad, i notice sometimes you plant trees below the grade. I am quite new to permaculture and all the information in Australia is to plant above the grade as the plant can drown if planted below. Can you give me some advice on what has worked for you.. cheers
The key is right plant in right place. Look to what native species in your area grow in similar microclimates. Search "rain garden planting zones" at www.HarvestingRainwater.com. For still more info, further answering your request see the new full-color editions of my books "Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 1 and Volume 2"
Great Idea,but.....the water from the street is not exactly " pristine ". You have a variety of toxins that land on the street daily and would end up in your garden/oasis. Just something to keep an eye on.
That's why we utilize the vegetation and other soil soil life to help bioremediate those toxins. Food-bearing perennial vegetation is grown and selected so the edible parts never come into direct contact with the street runoff. And we do not grow annual veggies in our street-side water harvesting rain gardens. Instead, we plant annual veggies on our property where they are watered with harvested roof runoff, which is much cleaner than the street runoff.
Long time no see. Bruh. The world needs you NOW.
Thank you for uploading. Please don't be a stranger.
Run off to run on. Thats right on. 😸
I love all the birds you can hear in the background!
Some of our local councils use these beds to manage run off and harvest water. It works fantastically and keeps that section of street cooler.
Ours has just installed a bunch on a road to stop flooding. Neighbours are complaining 'it doesn't flood here, it floods downhill'. I am not going to try to explain to them.
@@SMTRodent It may be good if you did explain to them though. We can all be the advocates for the change we need in the world. And one way to do this is to inform ourselves with good practices and information, and then help inform others. It takes a community working together to bring about the positive change we need.
@@SMTRodent it floods downhill because there's no infiltration uphill or downhill. You could explain it to them by inviting them around to a (hopefully mask-mandatory; don't want you or them getting sick) gathering at yours, where you'll have to get a whiteboard and an easel to draw a diagram of the hill (including layers, and the unconfined aquifer), and the rainwater flow. But they'd have to be receptive to it.
@@ellenorbjornsdottir1166 mask in 2024? I wouldnt follow you anywhere. MASKS DO NOTHING.
Maybe you should tell also that more trees along the streets cool the neighbourhood and lower ambient temps reduce the elec bill for running the airco's.
Clearly they do.
I was liking your videos for ages. Then Bob Avis recommended a book about water harvesting. I bought it. To my surprise it was you who wrote it. I was so happy. The book is amazing. Thank you mr Brad Lancaster. You are doing an incredible work.
What was the name of the water harvesting book please?
@@lpmoron6258 harvesting rain water for dry lands and beyond. I bought edition 2. Hope that helps.
@@lpmoron6258 You can buy the books at deep discount, direct from me the author, at my website www.harvestingrainwater.com/shop/
My hero! for drought and flood prevention, this should be done everywhere.
I started "planting the rain" but then realized I was planting it underneath my foundation. Oops 😅 lol.
Much love Brad!
Super stoked to see new content from you 🔥💯💪😁
Yeah you need to drain away from the foundation, for sure. He talks about it in one of his books.
Stoked to see a new vid. Thanks for all you do mate.
Love this man. I have been harvesting rain water in barrels . This needs to be passed to all HOAs who tell you what you can do and refrain you from doing something this magnificent to save the planet. We need more Brads globally
Dude this work is so incredible. Thank you for making civilization smarter more efficient and better hydrated!! 🙏
Brad is a Legend. Whenever it rains now I’m the screwball in the street directing water and laughing
I Really appreciate this, here on the west coast of British Columbia we have been experiencing less and less rainfall in the past 10 years or so , way to think out of the box!!!
Thank you Brad!!! Your book changed my career path.
So glad someone is taking the initiative.
We need armies of you to infiltrate positions of high leadership...along with massive budget reallocation. Unfortunately, if anything like that happens, it's not going to be timely, so I think our best bet is to follow your methods on a widespread individual level.
I think we need to be more proactive. I worry about all the Californians that are moving here. They're too consoomeristic. They consumed their state and now it's off to the next one. They'll destroy us too if we don't actively educate them on the subject. I think in order to get a drivers license they should include rainwater understanding as part of the test.
@@williamhad here's what I posted on the latest upload from The David Feldman Show:
"Aloha David. Thanks for reading our comments. I wanted to take a moment to bring something to your attention:
As you know, now that we're living in the midst of climate change, extreme weather has become the norm - record breaking heat and droughts, rainfall and flooding. I'm afraid that what we're currently seeing is only the beginning. Conventional industrial approaches not only cannot address these natural disasters, but have contributed to causing them: centralizing and delivering the water we use instead of collecting it locally and naturally. (Also: see Flint, MI)
We need a new* approach to these problems in this new era: federal and local mandates of passive earthworks rainwater catchment implemented in our towns, cities and watersheds. (Please don't fall asleep just yet) In the book series Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, by Brad Lancaster, the practice of shaping our environment in a way that slows the flow of water through the landscape is fully explained and illustrated. The importance of this practice is twofold. First, slowing the flow of water through the landscape mitigates the impact of heavy rainfall events, turning what would normally be flooding into a manageable, moderated flow of water. Secondly, enough rain can fall in a single event to supply irrigation and drinking water for our towns, cities, and rural agricultural areas for an entire year. Once the landscape has been shaped to passively catch rainwater, surrounding vegetation begins to thrive. Soil quality improves, biodiversity increases, etc. We CANNOT rely on large scale agriculture and current water infrastructure to survive in the upcoming future. WE need to start being proactive in these efforts...
I appreciate very much your political commentary, and fighting towards changing current state and federal policies to actually help the people. As "the Left" I would assert that we will have a much higher and more immediate return on investment by really grasping the gravity of the climate change issue and beginning to regularly incorporate these sorts of critical ecological topics into our conversations (vs. trying to change things through the route of bureaucracy). We need to ween ourselves off of this system (and our so-called leaders) that very clearly are not acting in our best interests. My assertion is based on my belief that we have a VERY limited window of time in which to take action that gives us the best chance for survival as a species. The sooner we start providing for our own basic needs, the sooner we can lift the boots of this ruthless capitalist society off of our necks. Becoming self-sustained is one of the best bargaining chips we could ever have.
I would ask you to have a guest like Brad Lancaster come onto your show at least for a brief segment. And I would encourage you to read his books as well. Please consider using your platform to disseminate this critical information.
Again: thank you so much for reading our comments, thank you for your time, your compassion, and your tireless efforts fighting for the wellbeing of the working people of this nation and the world."
@@williamhad I'd say that the phenomenon isn't limited to California, and these ideas should be implemented globally as soon as possible.
Couldnt agree anymore, let's do it!!💪
This is pretty cheap to institute compared to adding extensive underground drainage systems. Get involved in local government and be a rainwater harvesting guerilla, too.
Congrats on being ready to catch that rain, and for the rain that fell! I'm watching this video while pumping yesterday's rain into long-term storage so I can catch more tonight. Brad Lancaster is a force for good!
What sort of long term storage are you talking about if I may ask? Some rain tanks? I have a few that have been completely topped off all monsoon so I think I need to expand my system.
@@williamhad I have lots of 3000 gallon plastic tanks so I can store water from the wet season to water plants at other times. But the cheapest storage is what you can make with a shovel to have shallow infiltration basins and rain gardens so you're just storing water in the ground directly. An inch of rain falling on 1000 square feet of roof or pavement yields 600 gallons!
Your enthusiasm is so infectious! Thank you for your fascinating videos, and for encouraging people to reconsider their relationship with water and the rain. Instead of watching it pass on by, rather inviting it in and down into the earth and ultimately up into trees and leaves! So simple, really. When did we all forget this? The birds are certainly glad you haven't. So lovely to hear them all singing around you as you speak. And inspiring to see the dead, flat, paved surfaces transform into living growth.
I never get tired of watching Brad Lancaster's videos, and I don't even live in the American southwest anymore!
This needs thousands of likes. I’m sending this good idea to my sister who is in Phoenix now. I’m not used to dryness being from SETX but this is an awesome idea.
We need to implement on a massive scale all this man’s knowledge in the west
When I converted my lawn to natives and succulents, I made a swale which capture roof runoff. I can store more rain water in the ground than in rain barrels.
What a wonderful and simple solution!
A legend!
Unsung hero.
A great teacher you're!
Keep up the momentum!
You're an inspiration my friend
Thank you
Human beings like you
We need so many more
Ha ! Not sure why this was JUST recommended---Been subscribed for a long while. But Brad is a great guy who knows water harvesting as well as anyone...have his books...and was integral to first getting this water harvesting movement going. All commercial & residential properties need to get to some reasonable level of water capture & hold...and not just for flood capture, but for regular usage...
Reading your books has changed our way of living. Thank you for spreading this knowledge!
Love your work mate.
I practice Purmerculture here in Australia
Same!
Brad you're back on youtube! Glad to see some new videos! Really appreciate everything you do!
Over here in Cape Town, South Africa, the water also just runs away. Change is coming slowly, I dug a trench a spade deep almost from my roof's gutter in my front yard to within 3 feet from the edge of the property. I have a mole problem, or are they helping to get the water I harvest deeper into the soil?. From a grass lawn to having a food forest in my front yard. From no trees to three small trees in my front yard, I only planted the lemon tree yesterday, with garlic here and there, asparagus in a patch and a Cape gooseberry bush.5 houses away from my home there is a young man that understands permaculture so change is coming to the world.
You are doing awesome work🎉
Hey Brad 👋🏾............ it's Teresa. Thanks for the shirt 🥰🙏🏾
You are my Hero!!
Your information saves lifes
Great explanation! for those who live in drylands: 43mm is quite a lot! We have calculated that with 35mm we can start planting...(PS thanks for the conversion! I always forget how to convert inches-milimeters...)You make it so simple and "doable"...
)
Muchas gracias!
Brad you’re Awesome! We recently got volume 2 and now are going to get 1 & 3! We live on 9 acres in Pearce here in Cochise County (moved to our raw land the end of September). Super glad we found you before we really started building much!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, the great videos and Awesome work you’ve done!
I love the bird song all around you.
Great video Brad! Concise and inspiring! Will share with my co-rainwater harvesters here in Green Valley.
You're my hero. I made a portable curb cut with a few sandbags and a cheap utility pump. I call it Brad.
Run off to run in. Right on! 😄
Que lindo señor💕
Thank you, Brad for your advocacy and passion for rainwater harvesting! I want to do this in my community and inspire others to do the same.
Go for it. Also check out dunbarspringneighborhoodforesters.org/
Right on!!
A really great way or rather THE really great way of regreening towns in hot dry areas
Love this, love you. 🙌🏽💜🌿🙏🏽
Pretty much need to do that all over California too. I reuse laundry rinse water for ornamentals after letting it sit for at least a day in a tub, and shower water for the loo. Water from washing fruits and vegetables go back to the vegetables and fruit trees. But I think the real difference is in harvesting rain.
Great concept
I too ... plant the rain
🎉🎉🎉tgank you.
you should do an updated on this, Brad!
Greeeat work!
Great video !
1.7 to 4.0 inches of rain annually including those last two rains. Maybe 45 to 100 millimeters of rain. I saw typical range for Sonoran Desert between 3 and 20 inches annually. And as he is saying it's very seasonal. We are seeing more of this type of pattern in other regions too. Very wide range, lower numbers than past years, and most importantly, not evenly distributed. More regions seem to be experiencing very prolonged near drought conditions for weeks to months and then sudden onset of torrential rains that overflow existing water courses and end up being large scale overland sheet runoff with lots of silt carry off. These types of water harvesting structures will become more common place. Easy to install, minimal cost, low maintenance and most importantly creates water sumps in the local topography.
Thank you, great info!!!
You should do a video to show these during a storm.
He did, and it's great!
@@b_uppy I did end up seeing it in action after watching a lot of his content. Also finished a my own bioswale up in Ut.
@@tannerbriggs9127
Glad you did. Congratulations on finishing it.
I've watched plenty of recordings of his talks on other channels, I am glad to have found his channel, and gladder still that he has been adding to his channel regularly of late. I binge watched a bunch of videos on his channel because because of the positive content. I want to see more.
It's permaculture porn, lol.
I've been a long time fan of his and regularly suggest his videos to others whenever they discuss issues of drought, planting, etc...
Watch this one th-cam.com/video/MWIW0M8uPxw/w-d-xo.html
thank you for sharing!
I am worried that previously temporate lands will become arid during my lifetime. Last twenty years my country now has mostly mild winters and very hot summers. This was not the norm in the twenty years prior. Both twenty year periods are warmer than the twenty years prior to them. Very concerning. You do good work. We need more permaculture principles in our city planning everywhere.
We live in the Midwest and have been in a drought cycle for three years, currently 50" below normal precip for that period.
@@211steelman That is worrying.
I love it. can we make this the norm for design?
Yep. Advocate for it and keep evolving it to best suit the unique conditions of your area. For example, the plants utilized should vary from site to site so you choose plants best adapted to the unique microclimates and water availablity of each site. See more at www.harvestingrainwater.com/resources/rain-garden-planting-zones/
Excellent! Thanks for sharing sand the very best of luck.
Wonderful work!
Great to see a new video! We have rain water basins in our yard and they FINALLY filled all the way and also overflowed a bunch when we got 1.4 inches at our place. A lot of my mulch floated away. Any particular suggestions about avoiding mulch loss? Also, where can I get more info on that circular curb cut style?
I'm not him, but have a lot of interest in his books and rainwater harvesting and might be able to give you some idea of what to try.
If possible, you want to design your rain water basins to where the overflow happens in a way that traps the mulch. The best way I can describe how this works is to refer to a small local project that was completed in Mesa some years back.
The Watershed Management Group (an organization that Brad has worked with and probably still does) cut some curbs and made some street side rain basins in downtown Mesa near the Mesa Urban Garden. The city of Mesa hosted a couple of classes on rainwater harvesting, and the presenters were the Watershed Management Group. I attended those classes and one of the cool things about them was they showed us the rain basins and explained some things about them.
Whenever possible, you want to try to set up your rain basins so both gravity and sort of a debris trap helps keep mulch in the basins.
It's easiest to explain by looking at pictures from the actual site:
1) Picture #1 -- watershedmg.org/sites/default/files/styles/co/public/sites/mug_lid_after_dd_mesa_sm.jpg?itok=WIqkT7rP
This is when they first created the basins. It's hard to see in the picture, but the basin does have mulch in it and some plants (there is a lot more vegetation in them now). The key thing they pointed out to us is how the basin is much lower than the street, so when water enters it, it flows over the rock debris trap and down into the basin. Then, when the basin fills up, the water back flows out over the rock (at an upward slope), so it helps to keep most of the mulch from escaping the basin. The very gradual slope of the basins (and fact they are lower than the adjacent street/curb) also helps.
2) Picture #2 -- watershedmg.org/sites/default/files/styles/co/public/sites/mug_august_2015.jpg?itok=B2ciDalu
This pictures shows water actively flowing into the basin. Notice how it's flowing from the street, over the rocks, and then downward into the basin. You can also see that there are a few different plants planted near the edge of the rock debris catch. As these plants get bigger, they will also help to create a barrier that helps to keep the mulch from escaping (also filtering what comes into the basin).
3) Picture #3 -- watershedmg.org/sites/default/files/styles/co/public/sites/mug_rock_armour_basin_2_aug_2015.jpg?itok=Wkyaem_h
This is a picture of the basin just after a rain (the water has soaked into the mulch). Notice how the rocks trapped some debris (probably stuff from the street), but also think about how water flowing over those rocks in a gradual downward slope into the basin below the street level can help keep most of the mulch in the basin.
Now, if your rain gardens are basins on your property and not adjacent to the street, you want to look wherever they overflow. You should try to design the overflow so it's going into another basin if possible, but if there's ultimately a spot on your property where the water is going to flow out of your rain gardens and off of your property (potentially carrying mulch with it), try to see if you can design that spot to allow water to escape, but still trap mulch from escaping.
I don't know if that was clear, but hopefully looking at the pictures helps it make some sense and maybe it will give you some ideas that will work in your situation. If not, sorry for the TL;DR.
Edit to add: I see Brad replied and, like he said, definitely check out his books. They have a lot of really useful illustrations and examples.
See the newly revised full-color edition of my book "Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 2, 2nd Edition" chapter 8 for more info on the curb cores.
To reduce mulch loss use organic mulch in "eddy" or "backwater" basins, rather than in flow-through basin. See the new Volume 2 for more. And plant a living mulch. Native vegetation appropriate to your site's microclimate is best. See the new Volumes 1 and 2 for recommendations.
You want to have the water drain in up slope of your water catchment, rather than down slope. The mulch will just spin in place instead of wash away.
Do any of your books talk about what food bearing plants we have in Arizona?
Both books have information about native species, but I think the second volume gives more examples, including species native to Tucson. I can't remember off the top of my head how detailed the info about food-bearing plants gets in the books.
You can also find related info on Brad's websites:
www.harvestingrainwater.com/plant-lists-resources/
www.desertharvesters.org/plants
And here's some resources about native Sonoran desert plants (see: the top left, brown colored box):
www.desertharvesters.org/dh-resources
I'd just like to recommend getting a "jesuit/Josefin" pomegranate tree
This variety comes from the mission and has been living there practically unattended for centuries. Mine hasn't fruited yet but supposedly you can get fruit with little to no water.
I'd also recommend getting Jujube trees. They take very little water and produce tons of fruit.
These arent AZ native but I think they should be seen as important for insuring food security in AZ.
See the plant appendix in Volume 1, the book Eat Mesquite and More, and the book Food Plants of the Sonoran Desert - all apply in the southern part of the state especially.
That is a gorgeous setup
DUDE YES! I NEEDA FIND OUT HOW I CAN DO THIS IN PHX
Brad, instead of mulch why not cover the ground with native grasses and sedges? Great concept btw. I wish every city would do this before it's too late. Thanks for the video.
Any tip if your curb also has a 3' cement sidewalk?
you are master
As anyone can be. You just need to start, then keep evolving and striving to do better.
@@HarvestingRainwater If i am a president of my country then i will invite you to my country to plant the rain permanently 😍💗
Inspiring!! We need green solutions
How do you keep debris and trash out?
And im guessing its not recommended to plant food due to oils from the street washing in, yes?
What’s your opinion regarding ponds with liners as they relate to healthy watersheds?
i love you videos
What happens if it rains too much? And the basin is over flooded. Where does that water goes?
Do you need a permit from the city government to do the curb cut? Also, sadly, this is a litigious society, is there any exposure to liability if some pedestrian or some passenger exiting a car steps into the basin? Do you need a small barrier around the basin to reduce the likelihood of that happening? Are petroleum and other “industrial effluents” like antifreeze, or rubber from tires accumulating in the basin a concern, or will a bacterial community develop to break these down?
Those might be some considerations for planning the location and design of the basin. Urban Heat Island effect is a real big deal in the desert SW. It might be interesting to do some temperature data collection NOW and later when the shade canopy is established to support a wider adoption of this game-changing flood-control/drought control strategy.
Long time no see! Subscribed. Cheers ;-)
Thanks for a very important video! All life begins with water, precious water and letting it just run off is well...terrible. Have you experimented with adding manure as well as mulch to increase and diversify the soil microbiome. Have you experimented with adding mycorrhizal fungi to speed up soil formation? What do you think of the water harvesting projects in the Sahel, the Sinai desert and Burkina Faso? Thanks again.
Yes we add manure or compost as available. In the video if you look closely you'll see the mulch is the composted bedding from our goat pen and includes the goat manure. We introduce duff from under mature mesquite trees to introduce mycorrhizal fungi. I've seen some great examples of water harvesting in the Sahel and Burkina Faso and include examples of some of these in the full-color edition of my Volume 2 book.
This was two years ago - is this now, another record broken?
turn up sound
So cal here, showed the wife the idea and she said no way are you digging holes in my lawn ,what will my neighbors think? We can afford the sprinklers so I’m not changing, put that shovel away! How the hell do I fight this mind set?
Perfect
I wish u visit us in saudi arabia
We have similar soil and climate similar to arizona
Lets plant the rain togather
I've actually been to Saudi Arabia and learned a lot from traditional water harvesting practices there. The first edition of my first book was translated into Arabic, but I don't know if it is still in print. I'm looking for an Arabic-language publisher to publish Arabic editions of the new revised and expanded full-color editions of my books. www.harvestingrainwater.com/arabic-language-edition-of-rainwater-harvesting-for-drylands-and-beyond-volume-1-1st-edition/
Just had a thought which comes to nothing: theoretically, if people were daft enough to be using wells for their water in those zones (which would cause these basins to dry out because they live off the same unconfined aquifer that those wells would), this'd probably raise the level of water in those, nah?
You should plant some food plants in there. Herbs or berries or something edible.
It is full of native food plants. We just plant small specimens when we plant, then they grow. This saves time, money, effort, carbon, and more.
@@HarvestingRainwater nice. 🙂
Notice in the soil he excavated by the curb? Very hydrophilic. It clumped and held the water. Looks like clay, not a lot of organic matter as expected. So to create the soil, from this dirt, add plants and cover with lots of mulch in these sumps all over the area. The tree cover should be very substantial in 10 years if the rains don't stop entirely. I watched another Tucson based arborist with a massive planting encompassing his whole lot. Never added any water, only rain water sustaining the plants. The key he said was very thick (up to a foot) of mulch applied evenly throughout the lot.
👍👍👍
I love ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️ 💕 💘 ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️ 💕 💘 ❤️ U
How do we do this when we get no rain in Calif during the summer. I have rain water catchment but it doesn’t last the entire summer. I want to do greywater and our county here prohibits it totally.
Deeper pit, more biomass in the pit. Sometimes counties allow experimental permits, so to speak. Inquire about the latter, and show them Brad's books and videos. Often local conservation districts and extension services are great resources.
The plants native to your area survive just fine without summer rain. They have adapted to those conditions. Learn from them. Plant them. The water harvesting will make the water linger longer into the dry season. See my books and website, www.harvestingrainwater.com/, for more strategies.
THE COYOTE GOURD PLANT AND GOURD ARE TOXIC BUT THE SEEDS ARE EDIBLE. :)
That needs to be done in mass effect, otherwise the surrounding area will just leach away your collected moisture within a few days
Heads up that I wanted to purchase your book(s) from your website and your SSL certificate has expired so it is blocked until you udate the certificate. Dude, I don't want to give Amazon the money!!
Thanks for the heads up. That should now all be fixed.
could you add ur link in this video, please? my browser doesn't take me there and spits out anti this stuff poopoo
Dug kitchen waste material in the soil it's make soil more fertile and used as natural fertilizer ❤
I notice you have two levels in your basin.
Two types of plantings. Those that tolerate wetter feet are in the deeper part of the basin.
Get more info in my books and at this link www.harvestingrainwater.com/resources/rain-garden-planting-zones/
this is the life kcik maketh
Is that legal to cut the stone? I would announce my mayor before proceeding.
No but these are extenuating circumstances. There's a drought!! He had a moral obligation to take action and save some water
We legalized this in Tucson, AZ. Before that it was illegal, or rather "pre-legal". We helped change the law with the pilot project of our good working example. Constructive advocacy for such policy from a community's citizens makes a big difference in generating the political will for such change. That's how we helped legalize, incentivize, and mandate such strategies in Tucson, AZ. And directing your policy makers to good examples elsewhere makes them much more receptive. Tucson, AZ is now one such example. Seattle, Washington (and their SEA Streets projects) and Portland, Oregon (and their Green Streets projects) were some of the early inspirations for some of the positive changes we've made in Tucson.
See more examples at www.harvestingrainwater.com/gallery/street-side-water-harvesting-image-gallery/
I'd love to see what kind of chemicals are in that water that runs into the channels... and what it's doing to our bodies when consumed...
But hey, we still got them clean water here from the tap... ('forever chemicals' never arises in any talks)...
Any update did the city/town fine you for “damaging” a pubic road, feel like they would have issues like that in my area
They changed the laws because it made such good sense. Now rainwater harvesting is part of the requirement for new builds in his city, and they're doing it in all sorts of beautiful ways.
We legalized this in Tucson, AZ. Before that it was illegal, or rather "pre-legal". We helped change the law with the pilot project of our good working example. Constructive advocacy for such policy from a community's citizens makes a big difference in generating the political will for such change. That's how we helped legalize, incentivize, and mandate such strategies in Tucson, AZ. And directing your policy makers to good examples elsewhere makes them much more receptive. Tucson, AZ is now one such example. Seattle, Washington (and their SEA Streets projects) and Portland, Oregon (and their Green Streets projects) were some of the early inspirations for some of the positive changes we've made in Tucson.
See more examples at www.harvestingrainwater.com/gallery/street-side-water-harvesting-image-gallery/
Hi Brad, i notice sometimes you plant trees below the grade. I am quite new to permaculture and all the information in Australia is to plant above the grade as the plant can drown if planted below. Can you give me some advice on what has worked for you.. cheers
The key is right plant in right place. Look to what native species in your area grow in similar microclimates.
Search "rain garden planting zones" at www.HarvestingRainwater.com. For still more info, further answering your request see the new full-color editions of my books "Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 1 and Volume 2"
Great Idea,but.....the water from the street is not exactly " pristine ". You have a variety of toxins that land on the street daily and would end up in your garden/oasis. Just something to keep an eye on.
That's why we utilize the vegetation and other soil soil life to help bioremediate those toxins. Food-bearing perennial vegetation is grown and selected so the edible parts never come into direct contact with the street runoff. And we do not grow annual veggies in our street-side water harvesting rain gardens. Instead, we plant annual veggies on our property where they are watered with harvested roof runoff, which is much cleaner than the street runoff.