permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lfl@intrex.net>]

Anyone familiar with the subject of microclimates
and experimenting with land constructs that lend themselves to
microclimatic conditions?

I am thinking that this may be a very valuable technique for
moderating temperature extremes, conserving water and creating habitat
for a more diverse array of organisms. This may dramatically increase
yield and survivability of crop, garden and permascape plantings.

I just put over 50 5.5'X4' hay roundbales across the grade on one long wide 
crop field
with 50% on a fairly steep slope and in a 90 degree curve. This breaks the 
garden up into
5 sections, some wedgeshaped and some rectangular, with huge windrows of hay 
separating them.
Water flow around the raised beds is interrupted and forced to filter through 
the masses of
hay before continuing downhill. Subtle microclimates can exist between the 
rows of hay
generated by additional moisture, nutrients, humus, enhanced microorganism 
activity,
a warm sunny side and a cool shady side.

Seems like a worthwhile technique to use when developing permaculture systems 
and landforms
when slopes are encountered on site and water needs to be impounded and 
redirected, redistributed
and erosion controlled. Large masses of harvested plant material, living 
mulch, ground cover plantings
as well as earth berms and swales can be used to accomplish this.

LL
--
Lawrence F. London, Jr.
Venaura Farm
lfl@intrex.net
http://market-farming.com
http://market-farming.com/venaurafarm
http://venaurafarm.blogspot.com/
http://www.ibiblio.org/ecolandtech