Homesteading

Comment

Comment by aris on March 14, 2012 at 7:23am

Yeah, we 'constructed' it.   It's not perfect, but it'll do.

• Scythed the weeds.
• Went up a ladder with a laser level at twilight.
• Spraypainted the level of the swale/path.  Twisted ankle only once and only slightly.
• Dug into the hillside at the level of the spraypaint.
• Rested for a week.
• Laid cheapo gravel.  Tamped down.
• Rested for a week.
• Laid cheapo retaining wall bricks.
• Went to go buy more bricks.
• Laid the rest of the bricks.
• Slept for two days.
• Shoved removed soil back up against the rim of the bricks.

Presto!  Combination swale and pathway.  Of course, now it's covered in weeds, but... that was kind of the point.  Kind of.  ;)

Comment by Michele Senitzer on March 13, 2012 at 2:51pm

did you construct the swale? I've seen some blueprints online but it'd be great if you could take us through the process.

Comment by aris on March 13, 2012 at 1:53pm

Swales are so useful for catching rainwater.  Everything down the slope under our swale stays green until September or later... everything above it is brown by May. I'm also contemplating graywater with a dipper box for the orchard. 

Comment by Michele Senitzer on March 13, 2012 at 11:28am

I'm interested in what folks are up to in the creation and running of their homesteads? It's been such a dry winter we are learning how to create an irrigation system for our garden and plants. The Urban Farmer store in Richmond is so helpful in learning about rain catchment and irrigation!