PDC LESSON 2.45 DESIGN – SWALE GARDENS

 

PERMACULTURE COURSE AGRO ECONOMY

PDC LESSON 2.45 DESIGN – SWALE GARDENS

 

Embrace the rain

We can manage excessive stormwater puddles and runoff caused by new-normal extreme weather events such as atmospheric rivers by planting water-guzzling rain gardens with lush native plantings, digging swamp garden paths to channel stormwater to amphibian-friendly ponds and gathering areas, encouraging lush moss "lawns". to house beneficial insects and reduce erosion and install rain barrels to collect rain water for seed starting and watering.

Within the "problem" of too much rain, we can find "solutions" that sequester carbon, increase habitat biodiversity for native birds and pollinators, cool the garden in summer, and capture and store water on site.

We can address the projected nitrogen and potash fertilizer shortages by ignoring them entirely and instead embarking on a program of regenerative gardening and organic land management. Plant companion and cover crops of legumes to fix nitrogen in our food gardens, work only with organic compost, lightly add wood ash to remineralize the soil and improve structure and moisture retention.

Within the "problem" of global fertilizer shortages, we can find "solutions" that grow more nutrient-dense foods, increase soil biology and moisture retention, sequester carbon, reduce erosion, eliminate chemical fertilizer runoff, shorten the supply chain, and eliminate the extraction and production of commercial fossil-fuel fertilizers eliminate.