permaculture

[Kevin Topek <ktopek@att.net>]

Dear Chris,

Using wood chips in irrigation channels on a clay loam works pretty  
well. The water will run over the top and through the material  
relatively easily. Fungal hyphae will colonize the wood chips over  
time and create some blockage to the water flow. You can always use  
the partially decomposed wood chips elsewhere and refill the channels  
with fresh chips. The channels should allow for good water flow for up  
to a year and a half though.

Kevin Topek
Permaculture Design LLC
www.permaculturedesign.net
713.206.2400
ktopek@att.net



On Jan 10, 2014, at 10:46 AM, Chris Carnevale wrote:

> Hey all,
>
> Have you experimented with filling irrigation channels with wood chips
> so they can act as paths too? Does water still move much underneath  
> the
> chips or is it all blocked? I'm considering using this on a backyard
> scale. Soil is sand/clay. Thoughts welcome.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chris Carnevale
> Charleston, SC
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