Freedom To Swale

Photos of "Designer Swales" in a new Permaculture landscape in El Sobrante.

These swales were created by a small excavator and finished by hand. Tree chips fill the swales to absorb water; both runoff and the out pouring of 5 down spouts. The swales will also act as paths through the garden. The birms are covered by cardboard, horse manure and imported compost / planting mix.

Over in Benicia

A group of seven trainees are developing the skills needed to manage Food Forests for profit.

Larry demonstrating a laser level

"A" frame on the ground in the lower right corner

Here they are comparing ease and accuracy of various methods available to mark an on contour swale in Benicia Community Orchard on 2nd Street. It was really too dry to dig the next swale at the top of the orchard. The plan is to wait until the first rains and then dig the swale by hand when the soil is softer.  We did a 'dry run' using flour as a marking agent across the lot.
The laser level was seen to give greater accuracy over a distance. Our trusty "A" frame and a Bunyip water level was also discussed.

Trainees planting the new Food Forest featured in the post 'We Came We Saw We Contoured'.

Here the trainees are adding Netafim drip tubing to the same Food Forest.

Designer Chicken Coop built very close to a swale

At CACG

We are having our monthly Crop Swap on Wednesday July 22nd. All are invited (as always) wither you have items to trade or not this is about community building.

 

At the August Crop Swap on Aug. 26th we are planning a Scarecrow Building Workshop. More details soon!

 I leave you with the muse ....

Happy Summer!

David
925 286 7225