permaculture

[Jeffrey Newman <newman@bcinternet.net>]

Well, Dan.

The good news is that i do think my wall is the right side up. i.e. the first 
row of
lateral logs is the base and they are held in place by into-the-ban,k shorter 
logs at
four foot intervals (7 in all). Then I begin my next row of lateral logs (with
another series of into-the-wall logs to go on top of them. The way I am 
proposing to
place this second lateral row is so that each log overlaps its neighbour by a 
foot or
so, which requires the logs to rest on the into-the-wall supports at a slight 
angle.
The repeating of this angle makes an appealing pattern. Given my set-up 
(length of
wood especially), it will work out that each  lateral piece in the second row 
will
rest on two into-the-wall supports. It in turn will have the next row of 
supports
resulting in at least one support pressing down on each lateral. I did angle 
the
supports (into-the-wall pieces) slightly down into the bank. More like 10 
than 20
degrees.

So, how are my descriptive powers? Am I giving you a coherent picture?

Regarding climate, we're at about 3,000 feet here which will also tend the 
climate to
greater extremes. However, El Nino blessed us with a warm winter (relatively, 
of
course) and a wonderful summer, with the added remarkable bonus of virtually 
no
mosquitoes.

I'll put in the grass seed in the spring and try your suggestion on using an 
Aspen or
two to hold the embankment.

We have a small wild berry area with raspberries, strawberries, 
saskatoonberries and
rose hips (yes, wild roses are prolific here). I have been encouraging them 
with
water when we had a very dry spell. I'm now thinking of adding a few berry 
bushes to
fill the spaces left as I eliminate the thistle and dandelion. (This is a 
disturbed
area). Should I plant cultivated bushes or find wild ones? Any suggestions?

I'd be glad to communicate privately with you if you think this belongs off 
this
list.

Jeffrey



Elfpermacl@aol.com wrote:

> Hi Jeff:
>
> Yes, cacti drop out at about -20 F, a b it warmer than you describe.  Good
> ribes climate and there are roses, etc, with agressive root systems that 
> will
> hold soil.  I have a database of plants that I did for a slightly moister
> climate of the same temperature range in Canada as apart of a design.  I
> looked at about 1,000 species in making my selection.  (Includes some
> greenhouse species, too, as that was part of the design.)  Email me 
> privately
> if you are interested.
>
> Sounds like you are building your wall upside down!  The into-the-bank logs 
> go
> ON TOP of the parallel to the bank logs.  Then the weigh of the back fill
> pushes the short logs into the bank down and holds the lateral logs in 
> place.
> There is no point to doing it the other way.
>
> If you build it as suggested above, the binding log that goes into the bank
> will hold two overlapping laterals as well as one, but with just a bit more
> fuss about how you position the binding log.  (otherwise it will rest on 
> only
> one log instead of both that overlap.)  Normally, you have the logs that go
> into the bank slant back from the edge down a bit, maybe 20 degrees at a 
> wild
> guess, so that there is extra weight holding them.  Where logs overlap, the
> angle of rest for the binding log is more nearly level, so it pushes on both
> laterals about equally.
>
> If that is unclear, let me know and I'll try again.  If you have started 
> your
> wall upside down, I recommend that you dig it out and begin over.  It is
> important to have the pressure holding the laterals in place.  Withyour
> system, they are just balanced there.
>
> For Mother Earth, Dan Hemenway, Yankee Permaculture Publications (since 
> 1982),
> Elfin Permaculture workshops, lectures, Permaculture Design Courses,
> consulting and permaculture designs (since 1981), and annual correspondence
> courses via email.  Copyright, 1998, Dan & Cynthia Hemenway, P.O. Box 52,
> Sparr FL 32192 USA  Internships. YankeePerm@aol.com
>
> We don't have time to rush.
>
> A list by topic of all Yankee Permaculture titles may be found at
> http://csf.colorado.edu/perma/ypc_catalog.html
> Elfin Permaculture programs are listed at the Eastern Permaculture Teachers
> assn home page: http://home.ptd.net/~artrod/epta/eptahmp.html



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                       *******************************

Jeffrey Newman
My personal web site is at     http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/5759/

My ICQ number is: 9879310