DIGGING SWALES FOR A FOOD FOREST - Part Three

The Weedy Garden

8 May 202113:33

Summary

TLDRIn this final episode of the 'swale series,' the host embarks on constructing a baby swale with guidance from Jeff. The video demonstrates the use of an A-frame for calibration and leveling, showcasing the swale's effectiveness in managing runoff. Amidst planting corn and bush beans, the host experiments with the Ellen White tree planting method, a historical technique from the 1800s. The project highlights the joy of getting hands-on with nature, the importance of community support, and the host's determination to complete the task despite challenges like a toe injury. The series concludes with a promise of more planting in upcoming videos, encouraging viewers to stay tuned.

Takeaways

🌿 The video is the final part of a series about building a swale in a garden.
🔨 Jeff, a guest, helped start the project by setting up a baby swale and demonstrating the use of an A-frame for leveling.
🎵 Music is used throughout the video to provide a background score.
💧 The video shows the importance of managing run-off water with swales, especially in preparation for rain.
🌱 The host plants corn and beans in the swale, using compost and water to support their growth.
🐭 A humorous moment is shared when the host apologizes for mistakenly mentioning a dead mouse instead of a plant.
🌳 The host plans to plant a fig tree using the Ellen White method, an old technique from the 1800s.
🕳 The Ellen White method involves digging a large, square hole for planting the tree.
👣 The host emphasizes the joy of getting hands-on with the project, despite the physical challenges.
👣 The host mentions an injury to the toe, which slows down the work but highlights the importance of perseverance.
🤝 The community comes together to help with the digging, showing the power of collective effort.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is the final part of a series on building and using swales in a garden.
What is a swale and what is its purpose in gardening?
-A swale is a shallow, wide, and long trench used in gardening to capture and direct runoff water, helping with water conservation and soil moisture.
What is the 'a-frame' mentioned in the script and how is it used?
-The 'a-frame' is a tool used for leveling and calibrating the depth of the swale. It helps to ensure the swale is built evenly and correctly.
What is the significance of the Ellen White planting method mentioned in the video?
-The Ellen White planting method is an old technique from the 1800s, believed to have been inspired by a dream, which involves planting trees in a specific way to enhance their growth and health.
How does the video demonstrate the use of compost and water in the garden?
-The video shows the gardener using compost and water to support the growth of young corn and beans, emphasizing the importance of these elements in plant development.
What is the role of the community in the video?
-The community helps the gardener when he is tired and injured, demonstrating the importance of teamwork and support in large gardening projects.
What is the significance of the rain in the video?
-The rain is significant as it provides a natural test for the swale's effectiveness in capturing and distributing water evenly across the garden.
What is the gardener's approach to planting a fig tree in the video?
-The gardener plans to plant the fig tree using the Ellen White method, which involves digging a large, square hole to plant the tree.
What is the gardener's reaction to getting his feet and hands dirty?
-The gardener enjoys getting his feet and hands dirty as it makes him feel like a kid again, playing in the mud.
What advice does the gardener give at the end of the video?
-The gardener suggests that it might be a good idea to wear shoes while gardening, especially if one is not a fast healer, to avoid injuries like the one he experienced.
What is the gardener's plan for the next video?
-In the next video, the gardener plans to focus on planting and hopes that the viewers are inspired by the swale series.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 Welcome to the Swale Series Finale

In this final part of the swale series, the host welcomes viewers back to the weedy garden. He talks about Jeff's recent visit and the small swale left for him to start. The host explains how to make, calibrate, and use an A-frame tool. He demonstrates how to manage runoff with gullies, and discusses his plans for the rest of the swale. He shows his water source, compost, and mentions a dead mouse. He talks about planting corn and beans, and emphasizes the importance of watering the plants and using compost.

05:09

🛠️ Digging and Planting the Ellen White Way

The host describes the rainy weather and his ongoing swale construction, focusing on planting a fig tree using the Ellen White method. This 1800s planting method involves digging a large hole, a meter by meter by meter. He explains the process, mentioning adjustments due to uneven depth. He shares his enjoyment of getting dirty and feeling like a kid, despite injuring his toe on a rock, which slowed down his progress.

10:13

🤝 Community Help and Farewell

Feeling tired and hurt from the digging, the host calls for help from his community. With their assistance, the project improves significantly. He reflects on the benefits of working together, emphasizing community and collaboration. The host concludes the swale series, hinting at future swale projects and plans to focus on planting in the next video. He advises viewers to wear shoes to avoid injuries and wishes them a good day, signing off until next time.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Swale

A swale is a shallow, vegetated channel designed to manage water runoff, filter pollutants, and increase rainwater infiltration. In the video, the narrator discusses the construction and purpose of swales in their garden, demonstrating how they manage runoff and prevent soil erosion.

💡A-frame

An A-frame is a simple device used for leveling and contouring land, essential in creating swales. The narrator explains how to make, calibrate, and use an A-frame, emphasizing its role in ensuring that the swales are level and effective in water management.

💡Runoff

Runoff refers to the water that flows over the surface of the land, often after rain, which can cause erosion and carry pollutants. The video highlights the importance of swales in capturing and directing runoff to prevent these issues.

💡Compost

Compost is decomposed organic material used to enrich soil. The narrator uses compost to plant various crops, such as corn and beans, demonstrating its role in providing nutrients and improving soil structure in the garden.

💡Ellen White method

The Ellen White method is a traditional tree planting technique inspired by a 19th-century figure who had a dream about effective tree planting. The narrator adopts this method for planting a fig tree, explaining its historical roots and specific requirements like digging a large hole.

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people coming together to support and assist each other. The video illustrates the importance of community when the narrator's friends help with the labor-intensive task of building swales, showcasing collaboration and shared efforts in gardening.

💡Bush beans

Bush beans are a type of bean plant that grows in a compact, bushy form rather than as a vine. The narrator plants bush beans alongside other crops, highlighting the diversity of plants in the garden and their role in creating a sustainable ecosystem.

💡Fig tree

A fig tree is a fruit-bearing tree that the narrator plants using the Ellen White method. This tree serves as an example of applying traditional planting techniques to cultivate fruit trees in a home garden.

💡Leveling

Leveling involves making a surface flat or even, crucial in constructing swales to ensure proper water flow. The narrator frequently checks and adjusts the level of the swales, emphasizing the importance of accuracy in this process.

💡Gardening

Gardening is the practice of growing and cultivating plants. The entire video revolves around various gardening activities, including building swales, planting trees, and managing crops, showcasing techniques and the joy of working in the garden.

Highlights

Introduction to the final part of the swale series with a demonstration of an A-frame for leveling.

Explanation of how to calibrate and use the A-frame for creating level swales.

Demonstration of the swale's effectiveness in capturing and distributing runoff water.

Use of compost and water to support the growth of corn and beans in the swale.

Mention of a unique planting method called the Ellen White method from the 1800s.

Description of the process of digging a large hole for planting a fig tree using the Ellen White method.

Personal anecdote about the joy of getting hands-on with the project and the setback of a toe injury.

Emphasis on the importance of community support in completing the project.

Reflection on the benefits of working together to achieve more in gardening projects.

Highlight of the series' conclusion with plans for future swale installations.

Anticipation for the next video focusing on serious planting.

Practical advice for viewers to consider wearing shoes for safety during gardening.

Inspirational closing remarks encouraging viewers to engage with the gardening process.

A personal touch with a reminder to catch up in the next video.