Crazy undulating garden plot

Hi everyone!

Well.. I chose a funny place to start a micro swale garden it seems. Right out my back door, great zone 1 position, it's a space about 6.2m x 5.4m that gets morning sun, but not afternoon. Looking forward to getting my herbs and kitchen plants growing - BUT.. the ground seems to go in every direction. I have a little 42cm wide A frame level, pegging it out, I get 90 degree turns and crazy undunlating ground makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong. I can't seem to get a second swale below the first in any similar contour, as the ground suddenly turns 90 degrees, or is off completely from the first swale. Forgetting the "small and slow" principle, I started digging a 1m swale and a 1m garden bed, but I became so frustrated with the second swale that I filled it all in. I would love to get it right this time, but I need help!

I've searched online, but having trouble finding anyone with similar issues. I wish I could draw a picture and send it, but my internet is pretty basic and spotty at best. Hoping I've explained what I mean well enough!! I'm just not sure what to do after the first swale.

Thanks so much.

Manda.

 

Just go for double reach across and second swale parallel with your first swale. If you want to increase the inflow to the second swale, put wings on it (slightly angled or curved edges that increase the runoff entering). If it's a kitchen garden and you are likely there a lot, micro contours will change with your compacting of the paths, adding of organic matter etc. You, on that small scale, can change it all without too much effort. Other swales are based on the least amount of soil moved for the most gain in a tree starting system on a much larger scale. Without photos of the layout, it's hard to tell so it's just a suggestion.

 

The best way to tell if your swale is on contour is to dig it and fill it with water and see what happens. If the water sits there without moving you were right. If you are hand digging it you could make a small one shovel wide, one shovel deep template and try it out before upsizing it.

Swales aren't the only approach to a permaculture garden of course - make sure you are using the technique appropriately to match the situation.

 

Thanks to all of you for replying! I took a deep breath and started again, keeping all that was said in mind. I now have a little 80cm wide path and a little garden bed I can reach from both sides. It's got a few plants started and I'm working on the next one!
The bottom is level, and I've started the next swale on the same lines, and I'll just dig it out a bit more where it needs to be dug to make it level as well.

I purchased a ute full of mulch to use as the path, but the mulch was full of rubbish, huge bits of wood and heaps and heaps of dirt.. so my husband and I sifted through it, removed the rubbish from the woody parts - using the wood for the path - and made a second pile of fine, well draining soil/dirt that will be used to start seeds! Two products for the price of one!

It's all happening very slowly, but it's much better that way.