1. ~Tullymoor~

    ~Tullymoor~ Junior Member

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    What is the implement that digs a swale? Would the average farmer have this? Do I plant my tagastse/fruit trees in it, on it or below it or above it?
    Can I make sort of pretend swales by planting trees in arced/curved rows across the slope (where you'd put the swales) and using mulch? I mean I know I *can* but would it work /be of at least some benefit?
    Our land has a slight slope and when it rains all the water is running down the paddock to the driveway below and taking the gravel with it and ending up in the farmer across the road's paddock :-(
    Sorry, crap sentence I know. :oops:
    Maybe I can get a small dam at the bottom of the paddock as well....how many millions of dollars are small dams??LOL
    Get a job, get a job, get a job....
     
  2. gardenlen

    gardenlen Group for banned users

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    initially we just ripped along our contours to trap water as it flowed down our slopes, we found the ripping was very good as it opened up the ground and allowed the water into the soil much the same as trees would do. we also use swales made of rows of mulch, these to have worked well, there is a dual benefits as the mulch breaks down and adds to the system as well.

    we do all our plantings along contours, and the mulching is done along these same rows, these systems have worked very well for us and have been very economical to do without impacting on our landscape to the effect more constructed type swales can.

    dunno about dam costs but you should get quiet a reasonable dam for around 2 to 3 thousand dollars surely?

    len :D
     
  3. Richard on Maui

    Richard on Maui Junior Member

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    Tullymoor, a swale will hold more water than simply planting trees on contour, or laying mulch down in contour rows. Much, much more water.
    Where you plant your trees and shrubs depends a bit on the individual species, but in general the largest storage of water in the soil will be just downhill of the swale, so planting the main species, the climax species there makes sense. Then again, if you are planting avocado's or something that requires really good drainage, the top of the mound makes good sense too. Each part of the ditch and mound provides a different micro-climate, that will vary from site to site.
    A mattock and a shovel work! I have seen a "bobcat" make a pretty good swale in a day, but I have lately been wiondering the same question. Would we be better to hire a bulldozer or a backhoe, or a big excavator? Maybe I will end up just continuing to use the mattock and the shovel...
     
  4. ~Tullymoor~

    ~Tullymoor~ Junior Member

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    Thanks guys for the replies....Thinking of just doing the mattock/shovel thing or maybe a rotary hoe, any ideas? I can't find a picture anywhere on the net of a swale so as I know what I'm doing, anyone got a photo??
    Also, could someone please draw a sloping paddock (LOLOL) and sketch in which way the contours would flow? Pretty please?
    I'm ok for jocks and socks LOL
    Thanks :lol:
     
  5. bazman

    bazman Junior Member

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    Hi

    Have a look around this site, lots of swale info and tested ideas.

    https://www.keyline.com.au/

    I'm about to do my place and i'm going to use a plow with my tractor to rip a series of single lines that follow the contours, followed up with a few ton of rock dust from my local quarry.

    I'm not sure what to plant in the swales as the paddock has horses in it all the time. A long rooted legume of some sort.

    Found a few extra sites, you should find a few pics in this lot.
    https://www.greenworks.tv/stormwater/vegetatedswales.htm

    https://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/vegswale.pdf

    https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resea ... mwater.asp

    https://www.seedsofchange.com/enewslette ... ulture.asp

    https://members.westnet.com.au/designweb ... eIntro.htm

    This site/pdf has some good drawings
    https://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/G3691_7.PDF

    Also note be careful building swales in clay soil as the water gets trapped on the surface.
     
  6. ~Tullymoor~

    ~Tullymoor~ Junior Member

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    Gee thanks Baz, that little lot'll keep me off the streets for a while! :lol:
     

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