Permaculture Swale for my Food Forest

I'm at the beginning stage of create a swale for my miniature Permaculture Food Forest. By utilizing a swale and the rain runoff of my garage I shouldn't have to water my forest...EVER!

After emptying about 100 gl into the 20' swale...it was gone! Well it ever actually stay filled or was the ground so thirsty that it has to consume a lot more?

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Food
• Forest
• Permaculture
• garden
• urban
• self-sustaining
• swale
• green

[MushroomPatch]

Agreed. I filled it in with woodchips.

[logankeech]

Fill the swale with brush. Let it break down a bit and then toss it on your food forest as mulch. Repeat.

[MushroomPatch]

@logankeech I have lots of wood chip from a tree trimming company so I will do what you suggest as it breaks down. Thank you.

[newtechnology2]

Hear is food for thought about the wood chips idea, just use rocks. This will five you good drainage as well as help with bugs as they can not get to the water to lay eggs.

[MushroomPatch]

@newtechnology2 Rocks is a good idea but the expense to get them there and the manpower is a little much for me. Although...there is a section of gravel driveway that I may do away with and plant in the front of the house. hmmmm.

[Helioforge]

Excellent! The swale is going to act as a moat, keeping the grass from invading your food forest! : )

[MushroomPatch]

@Helioforge That is true but the logs that I had around the perimeter acted as a shield as well.

[robertvb99]

Just be careful you dont create a bog, The water is not moving on down a hill and will just spread out underground. If you dont get much rain it wont be a problem and if you do then you might want to close off the water valve to a very slow trickle or just shut it off and hold the water until it dries out.

[newtechnology2]

Mushroompatch, there are other ways of doing things. If you do not use part of your drive way there is always concreat, works the same as rocks and you can break it down to any size you want without having to buy it. Construction sites, friends projects etc. Natural landscaps can also provid a rock form for you to use as well. Just some tips for you Mike!

[atlan61]

thats a Swell swell you have thier. :)