So I have decided the plots that are to be made; 4 mandalas and keyholes with three raised rectangular beds but now I have a giant mound of earth to contend with and I have no idea what to do with it. I tried to see if I could pack it then terrace it but the mound is too steep, the topsoil to crumbly and since I want to maximize the amount of beds I want to try and incorporate it as a major feature. I am reading a book called Rainwater harvesting for drylands and beyond vol.1 which does help abit on water harvesting but not on using the mound & because its not a natural feature and is never really an obstacle for people I have yet been able to find a book to help me on the matter. Since I want atleast another 5 areas marked out (Including the surrounding flatland around the mound) I need to find a way to use it. So what do you think a good option would be? (Add please something even if you've never tried it since I can't stand to see massive views with little or no replies!!!! )
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt Consider a tower of power "browny", an antenna to the cosmos. These structures which are modelled on the Celtic stone towers in Ireland, show great promise for boosting productivity through the use of radionics. remember to have fun regards intent-observation intuition :wink:
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt Oh I've seen that before on Rawmodel; its this right? https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f4ch8yJ1cZw/S ... +Tower.jpg I so couldn't get away with that in this city; to much of a liability. Plus I bet the other church would have a fit if I told them what it is (the church who owns the land wouldn't have an issue since the congregation seems to like those sort of things). Biodynamic farming seems interesting though, something I'd like to introduce but I know didley-squat on it other than the most basic. How much would it be to get a Stiener school teacher to explain his philosophies you think?
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt A really tall herb spiral :wink: Have the local religious person bless it and sell it in 1 kg bags as holy dirt? You did say ANY suggestions right?
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt Warning, radionics falls into the "woo woo" category and by being unscientific, damages the rest of what permaculture has to say, a bit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radionics# ... _Radionics
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt You are not wrong gbell - so much in nature is unexplained that we need to be very cautious in much of what we do. The energies associated with radionics have been known of for a long time. Water divining, moon planting and Ester Deans "pendulum dousing" all use these energies however there is no money to be made in them so they remain unscientific for the want of a grant from "interested organizations" to allow an academic to live while studies are done. This is not permaculture. I do think - however that permaculture, as a design system, has plenty of resilience to allow discussion on the occult. We must needs to keep it light and as always only do it if it is fun. respectfully, purplepear. intent-observation-intuition 8)
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt G'day got no ideas about the mound, sorry. But I agree with gbell There is actually alot of money being made from those very practices you describe purplepear; astrology alone is a huge industry that people are making fortunes out of. Surely in a continent as dry as Australia if water dousing worked a douser would be set up for life? These practices have been extensively examined by the scientific community and have been found wanting; apart from the fact that sap in plants rises and falls with the moon. cheers
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt ^ Not gonna let that happen! Psuedoscience and Spirituality aside; I'd really want to incorporate it. I mean its a massive pile with a flat top large enough to fit two volkswagon beetles; there has got to be something that can be done to use the sides. Should I try and remove soil from the top to allow the sides to have a lesser grade?
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt Have you considered building a 'cellar' underneath a mound of dirt? I have been thinking about doing this myself for sometime using and old shipping container but I haven't manifested a shipping container into my life yet. Perhaps I need to start looking at a different design. There is an old thread somewhere to do with building a root cellar with some great plans in it...
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt If it were mine I would move it to rows on contour to increase easily accessible growing space , harvest water and create micro climates but as is usual that is site specific . If I had flat land I would probably make a spiral out of it or a big key hole with a water source in the centre . a place to sit might be nice.if you really want to go up you could make a giant herb type spiral with a path or steps going up it I would like a well in the middle or at least a bird bath.
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt not this time grahame - it takes two to tango and I don't feel like dancing. I have heard responses like that before - as though it all about money intent-observation-intuition
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt erosion will take care of it if it isn't planted and or terraced fairly soon, a couple good rains will move alot of loose dirt. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/terrac.html https://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/wocat/wq ... stid=TAJ04 Other Options for Slopes If terraces are beyond the limits of your time or money, you may want to consider other options for backyard slopes. If you have a slope that is hard to mow, consider using groundcovers other than grass. There are many plants adapted to a wide range of light and moisture conditions that require little care, but provide soil erosion protection. These include: * Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) * Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) * Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) * Periwinkle (Vinca minor) * Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) * Potentilla (Potentilla spp.) * Partridge berry (Gaultheria procumbens) * Heathers and heaths excerpt https://www.doityourself.com/stry/gardenterraces
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt Would it be possible to get a ground cover to grow tell the roots grow in deep; than cut the tops mulch and grow from the more stable soil or is that way unneeded and over complicated?
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt I'd start mulching it right away, maybe vertical mulching would be easier. Vertical mulching, or placing straw, sticks, or brush upright in the soil is one of the best methods for protecting denuded areas and encouraging plant establishment. This treatment increases water capture and retention; provides safe sites for seeds and seedlings; traps blowing dust; slows water erosion; and provides moisture and a source of organic matter to the below-ground soil ecosystem. Vertical mulch can discourage traffic, walking or driving, by providing a visual and physical barrier. excerpt https://www.sci.sdsu.edu/SERG/techniques/erosion.html https://www.laspilitas.com/garden/howto/slope.html
Re: Incorporating a mound of dirt My son woulslove your dirt pile, he would turn it into a bmx jump ha ha ha, that`s what our big mulch pile currently is lol :wink: