Food Forest in a Forest: Water Catchment Integration

[@patrick_laslett_allotment]

Yes, I like to see water being slowed down and spread out - the more the merrier!

[@formidableflora5951]

A portion of our land appears strikingly similar to yours with catchments and basins, fluctuating water levels, and a minor drainage path that ultimately feeds into a large wooded swamp. But here we diverge. Near our upper boundary, I dug a tiny pond (fed by groundwater seepage from hillside, plus minor drainage from neighboring property), and I've opted to keep the pond overflow moving all the way to the lower boundary by cleaning out debris, usually with a flick of a rake (minimal disturbance). I've been planting trees/shrubs/herbaceous lovelies where it was previously too wet--and without hauling in chips. Not arguing here, just wondering aloud how/why we ended up making vastly different choices. Perhaps higher water table, poorer drainage on my site?

[@lallyluckfarm]

It's likely that we have differences in our water tables, and I can attest that the soil in our wooded areas is very sandy and dries out relatively quickly (in the places I've dug down). The area highlighted in the end of this video is the portion that holds the seasonal water longest, while most other areas drain towards the back end where we started. Creating positive drainage out of it would be a large undertaking - larger than the relatively short distance to haul the chips in - as the surrounding landscape creates a sort of bowl or basin there. My thinking is that an approach of hydric species planted to take advantage of the water that naturally sits there will end up with a higher return on effort than creating new positive drainage will. It's possible that the walkability of the area will improve more with a higher density of roots to balance the water as well, if the land doesn't go through the same extremes of swelling when saturated and then cracking or oxidizing when dry. From your description, it seems as though your wetter area was on the opposite end of the middle ground we're each aiming for, and if I had that set of circumstances and an avenue for positive drainage our approaches would likely be much more aligned

[@peterellis4262]

chuckle ;)

[@lallyluckfarm]

Credit where it's due - very glad you're a friend, friend.