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permaculture - Re: [permaculture] Re, swales vs. keyline (Albert Johnson)

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  • From: Albert Johnston <johnston.albertg@gmail.com>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] Re, swales vs. keyline (Albert Johnson)
  • Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 10:36:04 -0400

Using your description and google maps I am enjoying the view from above both the satellite and terrain map in 40' increments.

It seems like you understand the predicament at the top of the ridge at nearly 1900' elevation. You have a 200 ft drop going to the neighbor on the east. A gentle slope to the northwest.

I think it will take some tweeking on your part to get the best from the land. Try and get the most from the hard surface road which is almost 100% runoff. Think about icing, glazing keeping sun on the road. Also the kitchen garden is a great reference point and a delightful place for musing the possibilities.
I thought I read that Darren Doherty is in the states. Maybe he will see this message and give some free advice too.

(Sent from my iPhone. No spell checker yet.)

On Sep 8, 2009, at 12:14 PM, John Fritz <johnfritz77@yahoo.com> wrote:









Hi Albert,

I don't have GPS coordinates. The address is 17065 Holcombe School Rd., West Fork, AR 72774, if that helps. Yes, I would like to have swales leading to at least one dam. The slope at the southwest part of the property, leading towards and down to the northwest is the leading prospect for this as far as I can tell. There is already a rudimentary swale adjacent to and to the east of the slope, leading beyond the property line to the pond on the neighbor's property to the south. This pond stays fairly full throughout the year so I guess it would work for the pond I would like. Not much snow in these parts. Perhaps 12" per year, but this is part of the 46" average annual precipitation. My main objective is to increase the biomass of the pasture as it is sparse in some parts. I think this is owing to the precipitation draining away too fast for the grass to use it. It appears the swale leading beyond the property line to the south is
abetting this excess drainage. Also, I would like to drill a shallow well if possible and increasing the moisture in the soil may make this a more likely possibility. Post back if you have any more questions.

John Fritz, NW Arkansas.











Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:05:40 -0400
From: Albert Johnston <johnston.albertg@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [permaculture] swaling versus keyline
To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
Message-ID:
<2b52bb850908311705x189d158ev329e8a80b5cc07a3@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hello John,

I am a permaculture student of April's. I would like to know where the land
is so I can look at the contour on Google Maps. Also I would like to know if
you would want the swales to be connected to a pond or dam?

How much rainfall and snowfall is there per year?

Maybe if the swales solve more problems than the keyline plow that would be
the way to go.





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