Investigating Rainwater Harvesting In The Desert Of Arizona

[@ladyofthemasque]

Thank you for showing your ongoing progress on this project. It's helpful for others of us to see *how* we can look at our own landscapes and adjust them through multiple strategies, going from how they currently work to how they could work a lot better. Most importantly, you're out there *checking* on your progress, making sure that the efforts you've done are working, and seeing with your own eyes how these things can be improved, since it's almost never a one-and-done process.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!✌🏾

[@nathanalex7797]

Good to see others trying to study the development of microclimates within your home climate into, hopefully, a "pinnacle" ecosystem. Most people forget that the biggest NONCONTINUOUS desert on earth is your grass lawn...

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

@@nathanalex7797 ✌🏾

[@raincoast9010]

@@GrowTreeOrganics Zunnie bowls are a good idea if you have headland cutting or intense erosion but not on flat ground.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

@@raincoast9010it depends, they're not a good idea for you and your flat ground and that's how you would do things. We have a unique situation and Zuni bowls aren't specific to headcuts, that's just where they've been found to have the biggest effect. We'll be able to see how and what structures work in the future here!✌🏾

[@williamwhitaker9807]

I have to second the juniper removal. Chip them for the biomass, and grass promotion. That'll help keep water in the ground. They use 26-33 gallons a day. Good luck. Great work.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thanks for the info!✌🏾

[@JustAverageJeff]

They really suck the water right out of the ground especially when they are spread out every few feet you can be sure the entire area gets dried out.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

You'll see in the next video something that may counter that argument!🤔

[@OublietteTight]

Always great to see actual rain. 😊

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

It is!✌🏾

[@libbyjensen1858]

I just found your channel the other day and am binge watching your videos. It is fascinating to me to see how you are reading your landscape and able to capture rain. I love how you carefully outline what you're doing. I'm definitely hooked on your channel!!

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Awesome! Thank you! Hope you're enjoying the journey! 🌵✌🏾

[@josieteckart]

Here a little tip about hard soil and how to dig them. If you dig while it rain, the low part of a basin, you'll find that it is easier to dig while it is soaked with water. the water acts as a soil breaker allowing you to dig deeper for that period of time. I know it is is annoying to dig under the rain, but that tip could help you dig deeper, each holes, every time it rains. It is just physic. hugs

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Appreciate the insight and tip!😁✌🏾

[@josieteckart]

@@GrowTreeOrganics you will succeed, I am sure! Big hugs and keep up the good work.

[@steveunderhill5935]

I’d get a backhoe

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you very much!✌🏾

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Just wait!✌🏾

[@LisaSoulLevelHealing]

Its like a fun creative puzzle and you can create whatever you want. No clue why i feel the need to learn this, but its an amazing experiement.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you for joining in! Definitely a fun puzzle!😅✌🏾

[@danielcastiglione5328]

Good work! I know you aren’t in agreement, but still believe you need to thin out those Juniper trees. Keep this pine trees in. Let them get tall and thick to provide that shade. Hopefully will get those meadows soon.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you, but appreciate the feedback!✌🏾

[@CaptainMonarda]

Awesome progress update! I love seeing where water flows, and it’s very satisfying to redirect and guide it into pools.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

I totally agree!✌🏾

[@dennisbuller3873]

I work with stone. If you were to take the stone and build a dome over your catch basins, it would shade them and catch water evaporating. No cement needed. start with larger stones on the base, thinner parts of the stone facing inward, so they lock together.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

We actually will do a dome of sorts with stone over our basins! Appreciate that!✌🏾

[@mrparrehesian1742]

Looking at the trees/bushes the needle duff over time has created high spots directly under them. The sloping of the high spots seems consistent. Just wondering if a person created little hills of needle duff in the gravel prone zones how much it would assist new tree growth. Keep it up, great to see such involvement in promoting a healthier ecosystem.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

We definitely have plans to use some of the needle mulch on the earthworks and the surroundings.. they've really built up their mounds of organic material!✌🏾

[@mrparrehesian1742]

@@GrowTreeOrganics Wondering if you cut the juniper to make charcoal if it would help? I use a small amount in the compost and it does make a difference in soil water retention once it's made into dusty/small particles. Best of luck either way.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Char would definitely help! We've still got plans to follow through with and sprucing the soil up! Little bits at a time. Thanks for your support!✌🏾

[@Will_Forge]

I look forward to your full pine forest to come in the next 5 years of the channel. 😉

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

It will take time, but we'll be working on it!✌🏾😅

[@stevejohnstonbaugh9171]

CLIFF HANGER out-tro! You got me 😅

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

😅✌🏾

[@debratakagawa4764]

Good job on keeping the water from rushing through the property.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you very much!✌🏾

[@Akio-fy7ep]

Always inspiring. There's something about your work I can't ignore. I love the very low swales that just divert the water the long way 'round instead of trying to trap a lot in place. Wondering about sheet water flowing into your land from the uphill neighbor, and leading it zigzagging from one boundary to the other and back.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you very much! We'll be directing that water to the various basins and water catchment. ✌🏾

[@innerscapearts]

Love love love! That cliffie though 🤣🤣

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Glad you do!✌🏾

[@sophiareygrace6656]

Love seeing the progress!!

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you!✌🏾

[@cyphercracker]

Never been this interested in water collection before lol. Awesome job

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

You and me both! Thank you!✌🏾

[@hardwareful]

What do you reckon, is there something more behind people being pluviophiles other than just the sensory part? Until we've found out more, I'll keep enjoying the thought that humans may have a natural curiosity about water.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Something worth observing!✌🏾

[@insAneTunA]

Awesome, Small earthworks, big impact 👍

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Yes indeed!✌🏾

[@SMTRodent]

I love seeing the changes at each rainfall!

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

As do I!✌🏾

[@denisebarney8092]

I was so excited when you mentioned the earthworks building! I was thinking that using tires as a retaining wall, or using them to plant vegetation in, would be so cool. You definitely have enough sand and rock to pack them with…I can’t wait to go back and watch your other videos.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Really appreciate your support, rocks look a lot nicer than tires, but I hope you get an idea of something!✌🏾

[@gilgoofthegrove5072]

the tiny pits from removed rocks are my fav! i wonder how tilling the land while it rains would help penetration =/ doing it while dry would just invite more erosion

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Removing the rocks and seeing the water is definitely cool to watch fill up! But what you said would be something to test!✌🏾

[@yas4435]

Thanks!

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you very much! Really appreciate it!✌🏾

[@user-es3zh3jk5o]

Planting grasses, and better trees will help the soil

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Most definitely! Thank you!✌🏾

[@hirokawiti4932]

Wooow! So pumped for this series. You're gna need to hire an editor soon. It's pond time!! Big things coming god bless and ty

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Yea, right!?😅 big things coming!✌🏾

[@c.e.9547]

Looks great, have you considered shadowing it with someting rather less high growing? which give you further harvest

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you and we're looking into all that as well!✌🏾

[@nicklombard610]

Great work, very interesting.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Many thanks!✌🏾

[@risacademics]

Nice progress 🐺

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you! Cheers!✌🏾

[@327efrain]

Don’t get me wrong, love your channel, but seeing how much rain you have gotten compared to some other channels I watch, you seem to live in the tropics hahaha, keep up the amazing work

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Yea right!? Arizona doesn't seem so dry anymore! Realistically what I've recorded between July and August we got about 4 inches total!✌🏾

[@geraldmansfield2631]

Nice report.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thanks!✌🏾

[@jamesc2647]

Does it snow there? Will you be able to continue working on all the bowls and check dams during the winter? Will the building be the focus during the winter months?

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

It does but not very much maybe 4 inches up to 8 inches on average. But we worked all last winter so this winter we know what to expect more so! The structure will be the main focus now!✌🏾

[@coconutsm0kes]

Love your videos!!! Always look forward to the new one.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Yay! Thank you!✌🏾

[@styx62]

Love the water harvesting ideas

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you very much!✌🏾

[@yas4435]

Good Brandon good ❤

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you thank you!✌🏾

[@Alan_CFA]

Nice job!

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Thank you! Cheers!✌🏾

[@isaacchristensen659]

What are you going to be doing with the bigger machinery?! Suspense 😱

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Who knows!😉😅✌🏾

[@notmyname9625]

Have you looked into applying to establish saguaro cactus on your property?

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

We're too far north, but we could grow some inside the greenhouse once it's finished!✌🏾

[@notmyname9625]

@ ok i was just curious. Im not super familiar with that region but i have heard about the many benefits of saguaro cactus to their environment so i was just curious. Btw i heard u mention in a video u were from the LA area. You arent in the path of the fire are you? Hope u and all ur loved ones are doing ok.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

@notmyname9625 the cactus are farther south from us, but we do have a friend growing them from seed the last year and he's just down the road, which they're growing well! We're safe from the fire though. We're from Montana actually!😅✌🏾

[@notmyname9625]

@@GrowTreeOrganics oh really? idk why i coulda sworn i heard u say u were from LA in one of the videos 🤣 im glad ur ok tho lmao. Thats cool about ur friend and the cactus tho they seem like a really important piece of the ecosystem i hope it works out for him

[@davidiwata7063]

Are those trees junipers? Don't they use a lot of water?

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

They are, but every tree sucks up water!😅✌🏾

[@gospelofchange]

I love half moon basins

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Very useful!✌🏾

[@omekoskos]

Whats growing on? Well, good sir, my knowledge of water collection and zuni-bowls is currently growing. LOL Thanks for the update.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Nice! Glad to hear!😅✌🏾

[@sulphuroxide1]

How are you doing Shouldn't you start planting some quick growing cover crop to hold the water retention

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Doing good here! We will get to planting come winter!✌🏾

[@sulphuroxide1]

@@GrowTreeOrganics kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6Wcd3mnmN2Wo6Msi=x42rWZyLJqb8KSUa

[@vivo9220]

Hi grow 🎄🌴🌴👍👍👍

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Why hello! What's Growin on!?😅✌🏾

[@robertlemoine3500]

Thankyou 😊

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

You’re welcome 😊✌🏾

[@MyCracker1234]

Have you put down grass seed yourself? If not, why not? It would be nice to know how long it's been raining when you start filming......Well I would personally like to know., if you don't mind adding that.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

No not yet. But we will be come winter! That will be the major planting time! I can be sure to try and remember to document the rain duration. Appreciate the feedback!✌🏾

[@rm6857]

getting almost 260mm(10inches) of rain in 1day in the middle of europe. Very rare event.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Oh I see!😲✌🏾

[@tvstation8102]

Did you just post this came comment on a Justups video?

[@rm6857]

@@tvstation8102 yes, but this channel is much better than Justups

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

I did not!😅

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Appreciate it!✌🏾

[@patrickdijkman8974]

Cliffhanger!

[@JacksonTravel]

lol

[@JacksonTravel]

What is going on with the gabion walls?!

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Coming up!✌🏾

[@brandonna5539]

Hi thank you for this video, do you grow moringa trees? That’s one of the trees I have on my list, but I wasn’t sure about n az, where we lived in s az years ago I was able to grow it, but it does get colder where we are looking to purchase . Thank You

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

We Did In Montana, inside our old Earthship. But here it's still a bit too cold for them. Maybe heavy mulching they possibly could still come back from the root rhizome year after year, but it won't get big like a tree. We're eager to start some regardless!✌🏾

[@brandonna5539]

It’d be more like a little taller than a bush maybe? I read they have a long tap root and when established the hope is to bring in water, is that correct?

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Possibly depends how much it grows in a season! To answer the second part planting the water first is usually the order, but yes you want to bring water in, so you can help continue the growth of the moringa.✌🏾

[@gilgoofthegrove5072]

BIGGER MACHINERY TOI DO WHAAATTTT!!!!

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

You'll see!✌🏾😅

[@thenewhope8171]

Are those junipers a native species, if so which species exactly is it?

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

We have mainly utah, red berry, and common juniper here. They are trees so even the smallest ones have been around half a century! A lot are over 400 years old.... it's consider them native now. But we want diversity so we will be managing the trees!✌🏾

[@hardwareful]

2:30 not the same type of soil everywhere, perhaps.. have you taken samples and determined the clay content?

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

No it's not! Yea I'm trying to find a company that will do a full analysis on my soil with microbial testing as well. ✌🏾

[@tvstation8102]

@@GrowTreeOrganics most places in the US there's a county/state/regional university that you can send off samples too get that info for a very reasonable price!

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Exactly. I'm looking into those! Thanks!✌🏾

[@freddy4603]

to do what? the end cut out there

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

You'll find out next week!😅✌🏾

[@ivancvrljak9382]

Compare this place with Dustups😂

[@leedza]

Bone dry

[@JacksonTravel]

lol that guy has no idea what he’s doing

[@Crabfather]

Yeah he's learning as he goes. Solid 10 for giving it a go..

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Definitely at least he's trying!✌🏾

[@Kharnellius]

Not even comparing apples to apples. This place gets way more water and has far higher quality earth already. Plus there's quite a bit of life already with those large bushes/trees providing much needed shade that helps cool the ground and allow water to stick around longer. Odd you would even try comparing the two. I like both for different reasons. Dustups is great because he's diving into the worst conditions possible with little to no experience and will figure it out through trial and error and with the outside help he's been utilizing. It's inspiring seeing a regular guy try something that 99.99% of us wouldn't even hazard to try. It'd be nice if he would finally get some rain. I checked and his area is in the lower 10% percentile for average rain this past year and is currently categorized officially as an "extreme drought". Not much you can do with that.

[@colescompany]

Towards the end right before the garden I am pretty sure that was a goathead. Those plants are kill on sight for me.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Which time stamp? I don't think we have that here!?🤔✌🏾

[@colescompany]

8:40

[@a_fellow_homesteader]

We have not yet found any goathead yet! Thank goodness. That plant you saw is a type of legume if I remember correctly, it is a cute abundant little plant. Mostly beneficial, edible and medicinal plants only so far.

[@GuidoMumin]

Where is this at?

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Northern Arizona between Seligman and Williams!✌🏾

[@Hoggandlolows.]

Are you guys at least harvesting the water to drink and grow food and what’s going on with the house build

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

We're getting there! And we'll get back to the build, dont worry!😅✌🏾

[@stolearovigor281]

Beavers!!!​@@GrowTreeOrganics

[@jdcjr50]

mutual aid is everywhere, or it should be.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Exactly!✌🏾

[@IRailroad]

💧💧💧💧

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

✌🏾💦

[@quikoucat]

🤘🤘

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

✌🏾✌🏾

[@keyboardoracle1044]

This is the wettest desert I’ve ever seen….

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

You're telling me!😅✌🏾

[@klee88029]

At G you know the rest to make it into an E "male"😅

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

👍🏾 ok!✌🏾

[@klee88029]

​@@GrowTreeOrganics To send you the Honey Locust seed pods.

[@moi6586]

quite an abrupt ending if i dare say so xD

[@moi6586]

btw, what band is playing your outtro? really nice !

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Indeed!😅✌🏾

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

I have at in the description at the bottom!✌🏾

[@carmenklinger7238]

That's an unfair cliffhanger. There's a driving catarpillar in the background an no information what this big machine should do. Unnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnfaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaair

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Have to wait till next week!😅✌🏾

[@MaxwellFoxxx]

Or you could just do it while it’s raining

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Possibly!😅✌🏾

[@Jack-w5k4p]

GENIUS = What are you actually producing that will contribute to food security???

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

We're Building it!✌🏾

[@Jack-w5k4p]

@@GrowTreeOrganics nice to hear - you should be able grow enough food on 10 acres in a 12 inch rainfall to reliably feed about 1/3 of an adult per annum - fortunately you have some sort of organic food within walking distance just in case ???

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

We do, most of what we have already growing on the property is edible!✌🏾

[@Jack-w5k4p]

@@GrowTreeOrganics you should audit % of food grown verses food purchased = where do get your fat and protein ? if you have water of course you can easily grow fruit and veg

[@lobotomie66]

Again: you need machines......to create big swales, ponds and so on....just copy zaytuna farm Geoff lawton

[@JacksonTravel]

They have a friends excavator that they use

[@hbg143]

You've already made this comment and they have already told you they have it covered. Let them work their own plans not someone else's.

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Definitely!✌🏾

[@user-su5lo8hr3c]

OMG make a hole and water goes in it hippie you are around 2000 years later mate😂

[@GrowTreeOrganics]

Well I'm taking concepts from over 2000 years ago, so thank you I'll continue my hole where water goes!✌🏾

[@klee88029]

Pepita 88029