As this a post construction entry, I will jump into a little back story of how the construction of the swales went. I chose an earth moving company who had carried out some work for me in the past as I was very impressed with their work ethic and honesty of their business ... a hard thing to find these days unfortunately.

When I initially spoke about what I had planned for the site, the owner thought I was mad but I understand that permaculture practices are classed as a radical form of agriculture by many people. There is also the fact I'm talking to people who have farmed in these areas for generations and any change or alternative is viewed with intense skepticism. I tread carefully here. This is not the time to pull out my Permaculture Designer's Manual and argue and debate and, in essence, alienate myself from the community.

So, they tell me how it should be done by spraying the grass with Roundup, deep rip and plow in straight lines across the field and then install an irrigation system with pumps and polly pipe. I then carefully make my case as to how I think this method of swale design will work, perhaps play it down a little as a test and, if they are so included, come back for a BBQ in a year or two and we can see how it turns out .

I always remember these people are trying to help and all the advice, whilst I choose not to follow, does truly come from a good place and I respect that.

So, the day comes to start the swales, its mid winter and we've had a solid week of rain. The CAT Grader barely finishes the first Swale and it gets stuck I the mud. We have to postpone until it dries up.

The next time we find ourselves out in the field again, it's late spring, summer is just around the corner, I can't fence off the area because the CAT needs all the room it can get and I'm looking at a summer plant - not ideal.

Firstly the contour lines were marked out.  We used a laser level for this ... knowing we have a perfect level will ensure the water holds and when fully charged, the water will spill over into the next swale below it - this will hold water on the landscape for as long as possible.

I got the CAT to deep rip on the down side of the contour line and then the excavated soil is  piled on top of this.  The trees I plant into the swale will have a much easier time making their way into the earth this way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TVG3uxKzw3w

 

It was phenomenal to watch a machine move so much earth like this so easily.  This may look destructive, although I hope it will create a lush growing environment for generations to come.

 

Row after row of swales - it was a long full day, although in the end it was very rewarding to see what was on paper come to life on the land.