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Catching, Conserving, and Using Water, MIND MAP 1 *Branches…
Catching, Conserving, and Using Water
The Fivefold Path to Water Wisdom : The Zemach's Techniques
High Organic Matter Content
Definition
An organic matter content between 3% to 6% is considered ideal for agricultural soils.
Explanation
Key to soil's capacity to hold water : Organic matter acts as a sponge, swelling to greedily hold several times its weight in water.
Benefits
Holds moisture ; adds fertility ; stores nutrients ; boosts soil life ; fluffs soil ; sequesters carbon.
Deep Mulching
Definition
Adding a two- to four-inch layer of mulch materials on top of the soil in order to cover it.
Explanation
Mulching squelches moisture loss by slowing evaporation from the soil and by keeping plant roots cool, reducing transpiration.
Organic mulches soak up rain rather than letting it runoff.
As organic mulches break down, hummus is added to the soil, increasing soil's water holding capacity.
Benefits
Slows evaporation ; cools soil ; adds fertility ; boosts soil life ; smothers weeds ; arthropod and microbe habitat.
Examples
Straw, alfalfa, seedless hay, wood shavings, bark leaves, corncobs, shredded cornstalks, seaweed, husks, hulls, sand, sawdust, pine needles, rocks.
Locate Plants According to Water Needs
Definition
Using relative location to suit plants to the available water.
Explanation
Key to match plants to the water on hand : using a mix of natives that are adapted to local climate, drought-tolerant varieties, water-conserving species beyond native and desert plants and locating thirsty plants near hoses, swales, sidewalk runoff and downspouts (in permaculture zone 1).
Benefits
Conserves water ; less labor for watering ; survive drought ; encourages native plants.
Dense Plantings
Definition
Densely pack and track plants together to create shade.
Explanations
The blanket of fronds and leaflets blocks desiccating beams of summer sunlight before they reach the soil.
Shade keeps root temperatures down, slowing the moisture exhalations of transpiring leaves that would otherwise pump water into the sky.
Plants shade each other to reduce water loss.
Benefits
Shades soil ; smothers weeds ; increases biodiversity ; increases yields.
Examples
Brassicas, leafy greens and perennial flowers do best when shaded for part of the day.
Soil Contouring
Definition
Sculpting the land to hold water.
Explanation
Rainwater collects in the depression and soaks in, reducing the need for irrigation.
Benefits
Catches water ; directs water where needed ; helps plants and soil survive both wet and dry periods ; builds humus ; adds visual interest.
Example
Swales - shallow trench laid out dead level along the land's contours - that store water in the soil deeper and longer than if the water simply spreads across level ground.
Steps to Make a Swale
If digging several swales, determine how far apart to make them.
Lay out the swale lines on the level.
Begin digging.
Partially fill it with mulch.
5.Periodically check the bottom of the swale to make sure that it's level along its length.
Related Permaculture Principles (AGR172)
Observe and Interact
Relative Location
Integrate rather than Segregate
Each Element Performs Multiple Functions
Each Important Function is Supported by Many Elements (Fivefold Path to Water Wisdom)
Use & Value Renewable Resources
Produce no Waste
Catch and Store Energy (Capturing, Holding and Recycling Water)
Conserving Water with Catchment
Harvesting and Storing Rainwater
Methods
Drums
Small water storage capacity ; partial water-independency ; easy to camouflage.
Tanks
Moderate water storage capacity ; water-independency ; utilitarian.
Ponds
Large water storage capacity ; water-independency ; add habitat and visual pleasure ; cheaper than tanks.
Taanka Water Storage (AGR240)
Large water storage capacity ; adaptable.
Definition
Collecting rainwater from roofs or swampy grounds with various rainwater harvesting systems for further use.
Planning
How much rain falls in a year?
How much water is consumed?
What is the available area of roof or other catchment?
What size storage can be built?
Where should the storage be placed relative to the catchment?
Closing the Cycle with Greywater
Methods
Basin in the sink
Simplest system ; when it's full, empty into a well-mulched garden.
Drain to mulch basin
Consists of taping into the outlet of a washing machine, tub or shower and isolating it from the drain lines that carry toilet wastes. Rigid plastic drainpipe then connects th the drain to carrythe graywater out of the house. Outside the house, more pipes directs the greywater downhill into a mulched swale or to mulched basins around trees.
Constructed wetlands
Most complex system ; As dirty water wends sluggishly through, the resident plants, microbes , and animals dine on the water's contents converting pollutants to biomass and purifying the water.
Tips
Become aware of the codes in your area before building a graywater system.
Avoid watering food plants directly with untreated graywater.
Be careful of what you put in a graywater system.
Filter graywater through a layer of mulch and fertile soil, or a home wetland, to restore pH balance.
In climates where the ground freezes more than a few inches deep, divert graywater back into the sewer or septic system until spring thaws.
Never store untreated graywater for more than a day or two.
Graywater is too lumpy for drip irrigation systems unless filtered by sand or other filtration system.
Definition
Reusing water from the sink, shower and laundry drain slightly contaminated by soaps, dead skin or some bacteria.
Steps to Make a Backyard Wetland
Look for special water-cleaning plants to treat graywater and other plants to increase diversity.
Select a site that is downhill from the graywater outlet so the wetland can be gravity fed.
Plan dimensions so the wetland can hold three days of graywater volume (12-24 inches deep).
Dig the wetland and line with a plastic pond liner.
Install plumbing.
Cover inlet and outlet pipes with one- to three-inch round gravel and fill the liner with three-eights to one-half inch of pea gravel.
Add the plants.
Earth's Water Distribution (AGR240)
Saline Water (97.5%)
Freshwater (2.5%)
69% locked in glaciers or icebergs
Rest - usable for human use
Renewable (ESG100)
Surface water - long-term average annual flow or rivers - and groundwater
Non-renewable (ESG100)
Groundwater bodies (deep aquifers) with negligible rate of recharge on the human time-scale
Farming Management
Ecological
Increased resilience to climate change and weather related hazards
Reduced labour
Increased resource conservation
Water (ESG100)
Wells (ancient aquifers) and dammed reservoirs, blocking fish migration or flooding once-wild lands (e.g. James Bay Hydroelectric Project)
Energy
Increased water retention
Additional benefits of agroforestry
Integrating specific tree species on agricultural systems increases water retention
Conventional
Decreased water retention
Increased water bills due to irrigation
Increased reliance on and depletion of
Resource intensive irrigation
Electric pumps
Power plants
Wells
Increased labour
MIND MAP 1
*Branches without references refer to the reading 1.
By Andrew Williams, Èvemarie Durant, Gabrielle Dame
& Isabelle Quimper