We're in Eastern WA, Columbia Basin--dry and harsh. One of the few volunteer trees here are Siberian elms, but it's been a struggle to keep them alive with deer, gophers, mice, rabbits and grasshoppers. Our cows love the leafy branches, so I'm hoping to harvest tree hay in the future. For now, we appreciate the shade. We have not made swales, but we have done hugelkulture.
Another eastern Washington/ Columbia Basin person here. As a professional conservationist, I find your swale construction an interesting concept. There are Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) specs for these but you have to build them to spec if you want to get funding assistance. Interesting concept using drip to fill a swale. I like your concept in whole. The one thing im concerned about is your tree species selection. If the ash is volunteering then that means that your area is preferred over other areas. I also am concerned about your oak choice. That species will take a lot longer to take & grow vs the ash. You probably are wanting a tree that will grow fairly fast & is also deer resistant. Go to your Conservation District or County Extension office and get a list of trees that are better for your area than others. Good job
Im based out of Hotchkiss, CO. Swales look great. I got some new videos coming out with some longer term swales. I filmed Cedar Springs Farm with Jake Takiff 3 years ago. He planted 10k trees on swales on contour. I just finished filming last week. His swales now have 10ft+ tall trees, we ate a ton of mulberries and plums will be ready soon. Good luck and keep the videos coming!
Thanks, nice to hear from another CO content maker. I’m finishing my CTP certification with Dr Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web organization this growing season. So more to come with permaculture and microscopy work after graduation.
Love it, I did elaine course in 2020. Keep me posted. I started the lab course and didn't get certified at the end. I'm hoping to get a full scale nursery for agro forestry projects going in the next couple years.
Great video! You've done a great job of showing processes that you've been going through implement your design from many helpful perspectives. We are looking forward to seeing things grow!
New subscriber. I look forward to sharing your journey (even if only vicariously lol). One day it is an ambition of mine to visit the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. All the best.
The swale landscape has gone through a extensive transformation in the vegetation that has grown in what was a barren area, with new trees some voluntary and some intentionally planted. Currently finishing the final experimentation project for the Soil Food Web school’s advanced Consultant Training Program. So we will have an update to the Swale video here after the completion of the course project.
One can put clay, the natures own water sealant on the bottom of swales, ponds, etc. to slow down vertical drainage. This will force the water to be pushed out horizontal into the soil and absorbed by top soil with a higher efficiency as the water is blocked from going straight down.
Where I live used to be oak forest, but those kinds of tree can’t handle too much water (Phytophthora), I was thinking of doing what you did. Hope your oak trees thrive.
Have you considered only using species native to Colorado (iNaturalist is a great way to start exploring plants, both native and exotic, that grow in your area)? Siberian Elm for example is not native to the states, and while red oak (Quercus rubra) is, Colorado is too far west out of its normal range; the only oak I know to really have a normal range in Colorado is Gambel oak (Quercus gambelli).
Oak brush is all over Colorado and though it is native it’s large bushy structure doesn’t quite fit our ideal outlook for eventually our field food forest. The purpose behind using Red Oak is for us to use the limbs for growing mushrooms off their trimmed limbs. Gambel Oak isn’t the best for growing edible mushrooms.
@@KTheGuy If these species with bushy structure do grow very big (slowly), then I'm sure they can be pruned into trees. In Portugal, two of our most common oaks (holm and cork oaks) are just like that, taking about 2-3 pruning events in the first 15-20 years for a tree structure to take shape
Looks like you might be along the northern front range somewhere. I can understand you not wanting to give an address, but would you post your average annual rainfall and USDA zone? I'm in southern Co and have been planting trees and working with soil and machines here for more than twenty years. Go for you on starting!
Great to see WHAT you did, but I'm still wondering HOW you did it. Example: The level contraption made at the beginning -- what exactly does it do and how do you use it? Looks like it may be an affordable alternative to hiring a surveyor.
Love your commitment and great explanations. I wonder though if white oak species may have been a better choice as the acorns are easier to remove tannins from as a food source. I am aware I am not in your region or nation so don't know your situation, just wondered if you had considered it.
I have been filming throughout this season for all of the growth along the swale and field. So hopefully I can compile all of the footage, but my focus has been finishing my final for the Soil Food Web Consultant Training graduation. We had some exciting developments in the field research project that I would like to add additionally for everyone as well.
We should have the course up in the next couple months. There will be links to the website in the next upcoming videos, which are some really cool videos from an amazing guest on Soil Food Web Biology.
We found them on Amazon. We have yet to compare the truffle spores on the wheat berries with identification on a microscope but it was a faster prospect than buying truffles and doing an inoculation manually which can always be done at a later time.
Looking at the amount of feed on the ground it definitely needs stock to be used for 2 reasons, sheep will eat the feed, which will reduce the problem of fires, secondary the sheep will spread their droppings all over the paddock and fertilise it all, more sheep the better, even if you need to lease your land to another farmer so you can run the livestock on your farm.
You are playing favorites. Chickens will feast on the maggot infested droppings of the sheep. The chicken droppings are more concentrated with both potassium and phosphorus.
@@estebancorral5151 You need a lot of chickens to fertilise 100 acres or a thousand acres, dont you have Dung Beetles in America, its a known fact that if you cut the grazing paddocks into smaller allotments and over graze for a limited time before moving the livestock onto another allotment is beneficial to the soil.
@@jamesmatheson5115 you misunderstood. Within three days of an animal defecating, it will attract flies which will infest the feces, and producing maggots. If unfettered this could cause sanitation problems. By applying the chickens you avail yourself of a protein source while culling vector populations. In essence, the chicken is replacing the role of the dung beetle. The major difference is that the chicken is domesticated while the dung beetle is not. The only human civilization that ever cultivated dung beetles were the ancient Pharonic Egyptians, but sadly their methods have been lost.
Why TREES for chop and drop? grasses ot something like hemp grow much faster to get and add organic matter (also animals who eat grass and poop on rhe land)
You are myopic. Most grasses are annuals while trees are perennials. The greatest amount of soil improvement happens through the perennials. You have not shed yourself of exploitive thinking of industrial agriculture. Trees will get to fungal dominant soil faster than grasses or in cannabis.
@@EnergiA854 Who did you hear it from? They are mostly reoccurring annuals. Did that person ever mention fungally dominant soils? This is the point you should remember.
Rain water certainly does contribute to water deposits in the soil. We’ve mainly left water to run and the ground to naturally produce anything that will grow without human intervention other than some oak trees. But the swales creates a barrier to slow the flow of water downhill and soak deeper into the soil whether irrigation or rainfall. Geoff Lawton has a really good presentation on the aquifer effects from swales creation.
Swales, over time, will fill with sediment and debris as the canopy continues to evolve. A natural reforested landscape is the result long term. Keep in mind the application of this method, especially here, is in an arid environment.
In the high desert your natural landscape is dessert. You can't support much life with that. There's a lot of trees that grow faster than an oak and it's ok to plant trees that you'll never enjoy the shade of, but your children will. You're not limited to oak and can plant trees you'll enjoy plenty of shade under. You probably live in the city or suburbs so I'm guessing, not really understanding what it takes to work land. I'd do a few things differently than this fella, but he's doing fine. He should plant buckwheat, it's one of the fastest ways to improve soil, for example, but hell figure things out that work for him as he goes along. I'd plant many different kinds of trees, particularly mimosa, even though they're a weed tree, grow fast and are invasive, is another example. They are some of the best nitrogen fixers there are and you copping them ensures you have a steady supply of wood. Go buy a single acre of raw land, see what it takes. It's hard work but it's also fun.
@@publicdomain3378 1. Stop grazing. It’s causing compaction. 2. Rip the soil to decompress. 3. Add organic matter to rebuild soil fertility. 4. Soil will naturally absorb water without intrusive ugly swales. 5. Plant trees with water containment hole.
Those pictures showing the grass growth around the swales is really cool, good job!
We're in Eastern WA, Columbia Basin--dry and harsh. One of the few volunteer trees here are Siberian elms, but it's been a struggle to keep them alive with deer, gophers, mice, rabbits and grasshoppers. Our cows love the leafy branches, so I'm hoping to harvest tree hay in the future. For now, we appreciate the shade. We have not made swales, but we have done hugelkulture.
We are also in the Columbia Basin! New to permaculture and just starting out planted herbs, berries & fruit trees this fall.
@@genevievegray2194 It's a long hard road to keep things alive here, but so rewarding when they do live.
Plants trees with broken glass to keep away voles and gophers
Another eastern Washington/ Columbia Basin person here. As a professional conservationist, I find your swale construction an interesting concept. There are Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) specs for these but you have to build them to spec if you want to get funding assistance. Interesting concept using drip to fill a swale. I like your concept in whole. The one thing im concerned about is your tree species selection. If the ash is volunteering then that means that your area is preferred over other areas. I also am concerned about your oak choice. That species will take a lot longer to take & grow vs the ash. You probably are wanting a tree that will grow fairly fast & is also deer resistant. Go to your Conservation District or County Extension office and get a list of trees that are better for your area than others. Good job
If it was Europe I'd say plant blackberry brambles right around the trees.
@@williamchamberlain2263 ummmmmm..... no! Washington State has a horrible issue with Himalayan blackberries that are listed as invasive.
When you get a chance, put some paint on those PVC lines. PVC will 'brown' in the sunlight and eventually get brittle and fail.
Im based out of Hotchkiss, CO. Swales look great. I got some new videos coming out with some longer term swales. I filmed Cedar Springs Farm with Jake Takiff 3 years ago. He planted 10k trees on swales on contour. I just finished filming last week. His swales now have 10ft+ tall trees, we ate a ton of mulberries and plums will be ready soon. Good luck and keep the videos coming!
Thanks, nice to hear from another CO content maker. I’m finishing my CTP certification with Dr Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web organization this growing season. So more to come with permaculture and microscopy work after graduation.
Love it, I did elaine course in 2020. Keep me posted. I started the lab course and didn't get certified at the end. I'm hoping to get a full scale nursery for agro forestry projects going in the next couple years.
Nice project! Only thing missing are the Terra Preta pits for the trees and bushes 😁
Great video! You've done a great job of showing processes that you've been going through implement your design from many helpful perspectives. We are looking forward to seeing things grow!
New subscriber. I look forward to sharing your journey (even if only vicariously lol). One day it is an ambition of mine to visit the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. All the best.
Just came across this video from RUclips recommended video algorithms. Looking forward to seeing more about updates with this property.
The swale landscape has gone through a extensive transformation in the vegetation that has grown in what was a barren area, with new trees some voluntary and some intentionally planted. Currently finishing the final experimentation project for the Soil Food Web school’s advanced Consultant Training Program. So we will have an update to the Swale video here after the completion of the course project.
Simple, straightforward, subject to change.
niiiiiice! cool to see more swale experiments being done
One can put clay, the natures own water sealant on the bottom of swales, ponds, etc. to slow down vertical drainage. This will force the water to be pushed out horizontal into the soil and absorbed by top soil with a higher efficiency as the water is blocked from going straight down.
A swale is not meant to be a pond, but a slow percolation device. However, if you were making a pond gleying the ponding would be more efficient.
Good to see someone doing it in a practical way
Where I live used to be oak forest, but those kinds of tree can’t handle too much water (Phytophthora), I was thinking of doing what you did. Hope your oak trees thrive.
Cool video! Gotta love swales in the high dessert. Just subscribed to your channel now... thanks!
Have you considered only using species native to Colorado (iNaturalist is a great way to start exploring plants, both native and exotic, that grow in your area)? Siberian Elm for example is not native to the states, and while red oak (Quercus rubra) is, Colorado is too far west out of its normal range; the only oak I know to really have a normal range in Colorado is Gambel oak (Quercus gambelli).
Oak brush is all over Colorado and though it is native it’s large bushy structure doesn’t quite fit our ideal outlook for eventually our field food forest. The purpose behind using Red Oak is for us to use the limbs for growing mushrooms off their trimmed limbs. Gambel Oak isn’t the best for growing edible mushrooms.
@@KTheGuy If these species with bushy structure do grow very big (slowly), then I'm sure they can be pruned into trees. In Portugal, two of our most common oaks (holm and cork oaks) are just like that, taking about 2-3 pruning events in the first 15-20 years for a tree structure to take shape
I helped plant the only wine vineyard in Southwestern Colorado it's cool to see something like this
Great video
Looks like you might be along the northern front range somewhere. I can understand you not wanting to give an address, but would you post your average annual rainfall and USDA zone? I'm in southern Co and have been planting trees and working with soil and machines here for more than twenty years. Go for you on starting!
Nice work, K.
Great video. Would like more info on how you are using your a-frame level.
I’ll add that to my list of videos
Cant wait to follow along.
Great to see WHAT you did, but I'm still wondering HOW you did it. Example: The level contraption made at the beginning -- what exactly does it do and how do you use it? Looks like it may be an affordable alternative to hiring a surveyor.
This is so wise.
Love your commitment and great explanations. I wonder though if white oak species may have been a better choice as the acorns are easier to remove tannins from as a food source. I am aware I am not in your region or nation so don't know your situation, just wondered if you had considered it.
would be nice to have update on swales trees etc,looks like you have stopped making videos?❤
To increase subsoil moisture I fill the hole with water and plant the tree the following day providing a reservoir. Mulching prevents evaporation
I’m curious would this work in the Casa Grande Az area ?
If I was revegetating large acreage and planning to run livestock Ild be planting Lucerne Trees as they are also a good source of feed.
im curious how the set is going after 1 yr!
Looking for the one year update. How are the red oaks coming along? undergrowth? Inquiring minds want to know.
I have been filming throughout this season for all of the growth along the swale and field. So hopefully I can compile all of the footage, but my focus has been finishing my final for the Soil Food Web Consultant Training graduation. We had some exciting developments in the field research project that I would like to add additionally for everyone as well.
Whats wrong with using s moldbrd plow?
what breed of chicken was that 1st little chicken-baby? :)
Rhode Island Red
Where at in CO are you? I'm currently looking for some land to start up on. It would be helpful to see your spot in action.
Currently I don’t do any instruction or tours on property for our families privacy, but we do have an online Soil Food Web basics course coming soon.
@@KTheGuy okay cool. When do you anticipate starting it, and do you have a way of notifying people when you have the course up?
We should have the course up in the next couple months. There will be links to the website in the next upcoming videos, which are some really cool videos from an amazing guest on Soil Food Web Biology.
Looking good brother
Try doing that on the Mesa Verde.
You try doing that in Mesa Verde!
How many gallons eatimated water do the swales hold
@@jamesharris40001 I would estimate between 4500-5500 gallons over about an acre.
Gods way of nature ..
I believe you are planting white oaks.
Skip the Swales and studdy Key line from (P A Yeoman)
Where can I get wheat seeds inoculeted whit truffels ?
We found them on Amazon. We have yet to compare the truffle spores on the wheat berries with identification on a microscope but it was a faster prospect than buying truffles and doing an inoculation manually which can always be done at a later time.
What part of Colorado?
Looking at the amount of feed on the ground it definitely needs stock to be used for 2 reasons, sheep will eat the feed, which will reduce the problem of fires, secondary the sheep will spread their droppings all over the paddock and fertilise it all, more sheep the better, even if you need to lease your land to another farmer so you can run the livestock on your farm.
You are playing favorites. Chickens will feast on the maggot infested droppings of the sheep. The chicken droppings are more concentrated with both potassium and phosphorus.
@@estebancorral5151 You need a lot of chickens to fertilise 100 acres or a thousand acres, dont you have Dung Beetles in America, its a known fact that if you cut the grazing paddocks into smaller allotments and over graze for a limited time before moving the livestock onto another allotment is beneficial to the soil.
@@jamesmatheson5115 you misunderstood. Within three days of an animal defecating, it will attract flies which will infest the feces, and producing maggots. If unfettered this could cause sanitation problems. By applying the chickens you avail yourself of a protein source while culling vector populations. In essence, the chicken is replacing the role of the dung beetle. The major difference is that the chicken is domesticated while the dung beetle is not. The only human civilization that ever cultivated dung beetles were the ancient Pharonic Egyptians, but sadly their methods have been lost.
What’s your elevation?
Over 5500ft
👍🏼
Elm is good for Morel mushrooms.
Why TREES for chop and drop? grasses ot something like hemp grow much faster to get and add organic matter (also animals who eat grass and poop on rhe land)
You are myopic. Most grasses are annuals while trees are perennials. The greatest amount of soil improvement happens through the perennials. You have not shed yourself of exploitive thinking of industrial agriculture. Trees will get to fungal dominant soil faster than grasses or in cannabis.
@@estebancorral5151 really? I always heard grasses and weeds are perennials
@@EnergiA854 Who did you hear it from? They are mostly reoccurring annuals. Did that person ever mention fungally dominant soils? This is the point you should remember.
you might be able to use composting more there and the biogas then with methane...
Does rainwater contribute to your swales?
Rain water certainly does contribute to water deposits in the soil. We’ve mainly left water to run and the ground to naturally produce anything that will grow without human intervention other than some oak trees. But the swales creates a barrier to slow the flow of water downhill and soak deeper into the soil whether irrigation or rainfall. Geoff Lawton has a really good presentation on the aquifer effects from swales creation.
Conheça o sistema sintrópico de Ernest Gotsch.
Nos sabemos.
This is not a desert by any metrics.
Elm trees are the devil's toothpicks bobby! Burn em all 😂
Love permaculture !!
Call the USDA, tell them to clue up.
They are backhandedly doing the wrong things out of sheer ignorance.
Your fighting yourself use contour plowing on slopes individual swales u dig ha haha keep going on
That’s not se Colorado!
Grow beans 🫛 and tamarind trees
If the storytelling is good, clapping muzak doesn't improve it.
Swales? Yall mean ditches lol? Never heard a ditch called a swale bf. 😂
It's going to be 20 years before those oaks have branches that can be used for growing mushrooms. Not a fan of swales. I prefer a natural landscape.
Swales, over time, will fill with sediment and debris as the canopy continues to evolve. A natural reforested landscape is the result long term. Keep in mind the application of this method, especially here, is in an arid environment.
In the high desert your natural landscape is dessert. You can't support much life with that.
There's a lot of trees that grow faster than an oak and it's ok to plant trees that you'll never enjoy the shade of, but your children will. You're not limited to oak and can plant trees you'll enjoy plenty of shade under.
You probably live in the city or suburbs so I'm guessing, not really understanding what it takes to work land. I'd do a few things differently than this fella, but he's doing fine. He should plant buckwheat, it's one of the fastest ways to improve soil, for example, but hell figure things out that work for him as he goes along. I'd plant many different kinds of trees, particularly mimosa, even though they're a weed tree, grow fast and are invasive, is another example. They are some of the best nitrogen fixers there are and you copping them ensures you have a steady supply of wood.
Go buy a single acre of raw land, see what it takes. It's hard work but it's also fun.
you're missing the point of swales
But how do we restore the UNATURAL overgrazed landscape without intervention? We have to rehydrate the soil first.
@@publicdomain3378 1. Stop grazing. It’s causing compaction. 2. Rip the soil to decompress. 3. Add organic matter to rebuild soil fertility. 4. Soil will naturally absorb water without intrusive ugly swales. 5. Plant trees with water containment hole.