In the past, the extra water would run off and then evaporate. This meant more watering and fixing the mulch after it ran with it.
I added pea gravel the length of the run off area, covered it all with heavy mulch and I water half as much!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Creating Swales
Saturday found us melting in 101 degree heat in my neck of the woods. However, my "stacked function" beds were holding their own and keeping the plants alive and well.
Two of my young men sons were home Saturday, so I took the opportunity to...bribe them. Chicken Fried Steak breakfast at the local truck stop for unloading a pick up load of pea gravel and hauling it to my trenches. In an unbelievably short amount of time, pea gravel was in its rightful place!
Next, I added some straw, saw dust and bark to the trenches. Finally, some topsoil and mulch that they also helped me haul in.
Ironically, we had a rare downpour that night. In the wee morning hours, I am staring out the windows and doors trying to catch a glimpse of the water pattern in the lightening bursts. Thankful for the precious water and the extra motivation to create new swales from the down spouts.
Some fun resources for Building Swales:
University of Nebraska Extension
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