DESIGNING SWALES - Geoff Lawton visits The Weedy Garden - Swales Part Two.

If you have watched part one of this series, you would have a good idea of what a swale is. In this video from www.theweedyga..., my permaculture teacher Geoff Lawton visits the garden and demonstrates how to build a swale so it works for THIS garden. Thanks Geoff
love and peace to everyone
Weedy
www.theweedyga...
Part 1: Lesson from Geoff Lawton: • HOW TO BUILD SWALES - ...
Part 3: I get help from my community and dig dig dig: • DIGGING SWALES FOR A F...
Lidar mapping courtesy Ben Missimer at: www.pearlriver...
See Geoff explain the mapping technology: • Mapping in Permaculture
#harvestingwater #waterharvesting #selfsufficientliving #selfsufficient #permaculture #organicgardening #organic #howtogarden #growingyourownfood #sustainableliving #offthegrid #growfood #gardening #gardeningtips #sustainability #vegetablegarden #swales #organicfarming #gardening #geofflawton #foodsecurity

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Studying PERMACULTURE with my teacher Geoff Lawton - The 2024 online PDC is open for students from 10th May 2024. If you go to the enrollment page using this Weedy Garden affiliate link www.discoverpermaculture.com/a/2147844655/UvHULpHp - you can also recieve a US$150 discount off the online course by writing "weedy150" in the coupon.

[@jesscoachsds]

Having Geoff Lawton digging a swale in your own garden must feel something like having Christopher Hitchens help you with your English homework or Jamie Oliver cooking for your friends’ dinner party. I’ve watched a tonne of Geoff’s work and you truly are in the presence of greatness, maybe the best in the world at what he does 😌

[@TheWeedyGarden]

I agree. I am very grateful that Geoff is willing to share his knowledge (and jokes) with us here. Yes.

[@melissasullivan1658]

Hitchens would just roll his eyes and tell you to bugger off. 😏 But it would still be awesome anyway!

[@stevenlight5006]

Good on you mate

[@jamiecampbell4666]

Like DaVinci being your art teacher

[@enriquegarciacota3914]

You guys are like two modern-day druids. We need more druids.

[@slaturwinters1828]

I hope to someday have the universe bestow the blessing of this title on me, takes a lifetime to master and its one step closer to Nirvana.

[@bevvennik1661]

Wow - Geoff could monologue to a camera for hours. He really knows his stuff, and his passion is infectious. I've done his online PDC and could listen to it all over again

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Sometimes it is hard to find a spot to clip because when he starts to “rave” as he calls it, it becomes one big long sentance that I just have to let play out, but he is magical in the sence that most of it is something I did not know...even if I thought I did 🤣🤣🤣

[@paindude69]

have a geez at Peter Andrews too. He and Geoff are champions! I have enjoyed these weedy garden vids.

[@yLeprechaun]

Weedy, I experience that every time I rewatch his stuff. I never thought I was simple until I found Geoff, and I swear...every time I glean some new nugget. He is the most important, impactful human on Earth today.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

@Daniel Goodman no I put different stuff on patren.

[@worksmith5223]

I love the efficiency of Geoff's movements digging that swale - obviously done it a few times.

[@suburbanhomestead]

I see a real friendship growing. That is the main crop there.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Well said 💚 btw...you must be close to a new vid...?

[@travisdavis1042]

This is brilliant. I’ve seen lots of his videos but never him actually giving a demonstration of what he’s saying on the chalkboard. This has helped my understanding immensely. God bless you. Thank you.

[@louisegogel7973]

Exactly my sentiments!!

[@spoolsandbobbins]

Me too 🐞

[@helenasantos957]

This was a great 'practical' lesson! I am on Geoff's course too (followed your lead and took advantage of your weedybeard...) and his videos are great, but there is nothing like actually seeing how it is done when you get your hands stuck in the dirt. A lot of useful tips there about loosening the ground before making the mound... checking the width of the wheelbarrow for future advantage... great practical stuff! Thanks Mr Weedy!

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Thanks for YOUR feedback too Helena. Swales is the next module, so you are ahead now 🤣

[@helenasantos957]

@@TheWeedyGarden You are very welcome! I love all your videos! (where the course is concerned however, I am playing catch up as I joined late...) I have a small property in Portugal that I intend doing up next year with all my permaculture knowledge so I really appreciate the nitty gritty details! Cheers from Ireland where I am living at the moment!

[@QuiChiYang2]

You actually had thee man Dr. Geoff Lawton dig a swalle, teach you, explain to you everything. Imagine with you the potential of your permaculture food forest. Wow! You are a blessed man.

[@Sharpandsweet]

Thank you! I'm the custodian of 1 acre and I'm beginning to learn about permaculture so I can build a food forest and regenerate my land. Wish I could meet you

[@xKurtTurkey]

I've been watching Geoff for quite some time, and you since you begun the channel. I must say you both do incredible work and I hope that you inspire many people. It's fantastic seeing Geoff make these appearances on your channel and I hope to see many more. I've recently bought a place and am slowly implementing different systems to work best for my situation, inspired by you both. Keep it up! (Tasmania, Aus)

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Great to hear. I’ll pass that on 👍🏼🙏

[@joshlovegood9392]

Where in Tassie are you ? :) I'm going to be moving there hopefully next year

[@xKurtTurkey]

@@joshlovegood9392 Huon Valley mate, South East.

[@lisakukla459]

This is so fantastic. Geoff is an incredible wealth of knowledge. I'm really getting a lot from seeing the process the way you've shown it here. Can't imagine what it must've been like to have him right there on your property, teaching you about swales, one-on-one. Super good content.

[@RonnieToo]

Geoff was probably thinking... I can't believe Weedy invited me on as a guest 👍

[@justiny5385]

4:11 I saw the text and was confused. I went back and watched your mango video, and now it all makes sense. Cheers Mr. Weedy.

[@danpryde5503]

How great is Geoff!

[@cwbrownCaroline]

I’ve watched a lot of Geoff’s videos and watching him doing the planning and designing of the swales really helped makes it clear. Loved it!

[@crochetingaroundnewzealand]

Geoff is fantastic! I've been following him for yrs. How wonderful he could spend the time setting up your swales. If they don't work you can blame him 😂😂😂

[@mamarrachopunpun]

Your videos are so BEAUTIFUL in so many levels...

[@growshakephil]

For most YT videos, I speed it up to 1.75x. For the weedy, I switch it back to normal speed and give it my full attention. Your videos are a meditation.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Cool. Thank you so much 🙏😊

[@arlisswirtanen7794]

Too funny, I do similar. Usually 1.5 speed for most vids

[@munrosewarne6551]

Wonderful wonderful video - Geoff yakking away about rubber duckies and hardcore party frogs made me grin. Thanks Dave.

[@derrickorberg6552]

Thank you for the Energy you bring to the World. You are on a great path. Many Thanks

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Thank you for watching. Yes. A garden path. A great garden path 😃

[@Desi-qw9fc]

My left ear enjoyed the sound effects and dialogue, and my right ear enjoyed the music.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

😅

[@thegr8stm8]

Hey David, fantastic… love the drone footage and looking forward to the next in series. Love Geoff and his knowledge and kredo to Bill Mollison.

[@buddhimanirman7495]

Wow! That explanation is far better than 1000 books. Really appreciate your content ❤ Love from Sri Lanka

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Nothing like a visual to speed up understanding. Glad I have the ability to share the journey with you all the way over there in Sri Lanka (been there many times and love it there).

[@buddhimanirman7495]

@@TheWeedyGarden yeah I'm a visual learner too. This is the first vedio of your channel that I saw on KZbin . Started from the 1st just while ago. You are living in one of my dreams , so this channel made me feel like watching the digital version of my dreams 😍 glad you visited Sri Lanka many times.

[@Kelsdoggy]

I hope there are more people like you two in this world. Truly amazing

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Permies are EVERYWHERE 😄💚

[@johnskelly2542]

as my youngest son was always very fond of saying, "i love hard work, i could watch it all day"

[@TheWeedyGarden]

🤣🤣

[@jeromeclaessen3921]

Lmao

[@BxKRs]

Very relaxing to listen and learn a bit from your channel, thank you for sharing.

[@guenbarnes1659]

Perfect…Thank you both so much for the walk thru and simplification of detail, super grateful as I’m starting my project near Flagstaff Arizona near a town called Williams… Peace love and blessings and nutrients soil to us all…

[@JohnMarsing]

I have 40 acres between Ash Fork and Seligman AZ. Good luck with your project

[@ejshaw2632]

What a fantastic teacher!

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Yes he is. Geoff Lawton is very good at explaining things!

[@BloosSelfReliance]

I honestly didn't know what a swale was until i started watching these videos. Thankyou for sharing that knowledge xox

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Happy to help!

[@dee24680]

Geoff is hilarious. What a legend! Generous soul too!

[@fincalavita4842]

Love this video. It's simple, no hurry and clear, personal. 💚💚💚

[@alexfredericks]

Hey, thanks. Really. Thank you. From one Human to another. For all of us still sitting in the Babylon capsule planning the exit I appreciate you brother and what you are doing for yourself and all of us watching.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Appreciate that Alex. Thanks 🙏

[@jungletearaway]

Thank you both. A great teacher and a great videographer.

[@sarthakbhardwaj3392]

Simply phenomenal!

[@nicholaceho9679]

Very interesting thank you weedy gardener thanks Geoff for explaining 👍

[@frechwieoskar8052]

Geoff alway seems to be a friendly and wise guy I really would love to meet in Germany.

[@pablorestrepo6421]

Thank you very much for the video!!!!!!

[@TheLUCIANA63]

👀 get started. Thankful

[@Alchemyforall]

Fantastic collaboration and education style. Thankyou. You guys nailed it!

[@TheWeedyGarden]

🙏💪🏻

[@TdotTwiFic]

This is the most beautiful video of them all. I started crying at the handshake. This is such an opportunity for you and I am sooooooo glad that this is happening and I get to witness it. Amazing the little conversation and how intuitive Geoff is to the beef bacon and how sly you are to negotiate that deal. Along withe online PDC, there are soo many books that are helpful. Geoff just participated in one of his students online summit for Michelle & Rob Avis' and Takota Coen's book, "Building Your Permaculture Property" through Verge Permaculture. I just finished my 3rd online PDC (2 with Geoff and one with Rob), so I can say with all the bias in the world (as Verge P is Canadian and so am I), this book, PDC and teacher are well worth it. Geoff and many other Permaculture Pros participated in the summit and Geoff's stories with Bill M were beautiful. Keep up the great work and give Geoff a great big hug from all of us who wish we could and to really thank him for all that he does. Now I want beef bacon, eggs and tomatoes. Lets make sure he gets his share. (Shamelss plug, I don't do shame anymore)

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Lovely words. I’ll pass them on. Thank you 🙏

[@Ajeet_Bharadwaj]

Thanks for timely video 🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️

[@kirstyfoote8582]

Well, just watched both vids on swales and I am super pumped to do some on our 12 acres. I'm also doing my PDC and the way swales are explained here is brilliant, makes it so easy to comprehend and then put it into action!! Thanks for all the vids, my whole family absolutely love your work!! We are slowly but surely building our own food forest and it is so encouraging to see everything come together for you 😁

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Thanks Kirsty. Eat a big brealfast 🤣🤣🤣

[@kirstyfoote8582]

@@TheWeedyGarden I'll cook the breakfast and supervise while hubby digs ? 🤣 looking forward to the next video

[@TheWeedyGarden]

@@kirstyfoote8582 😄👍🏼

[@mamarana524]

That's a beautiful friendship

[@cryptoconsciousness2543]

Thankyou for sharing this!! this video is saving the planet!

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

I'm so inspired ✨️

[@gbridger9177]

I'm currently in Geoff's PDC. Sure hope he teaches us how to make the "A" frame. We sit right on top of a mountain and water preservation is top of our list. Great video as usual! Love learning about swells.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

If he doesn’t, I will

[@jirisvejda8150]

Brilliant

[@CITYBORNDESERTBRED]

Legend 🙌🏾

[@Coach_SebastianEckes]

Thank you ❤

[@jamesrichey]

I liked the skip add fake. Nice job on the video.

[@dumewright]

Gooday, I'm so in love with what you're doing. 😍

[@tiffanywilkerson5569]

Just the video i needed to get going... thanks!

[@TheWeedyGarden]

The digging is the hardest part!

[@tiffanywilkerson5569]

@@TheWeedyGarden haha!

[@victoriaperman5917]

Love this 🙋‍♀️💜💕🌟

[@tinyhealthygarden]

Great video thanks for sharing with us.

[@Fitiaosana]

Fabulous... thanks for sharing... my kind of breaky too.. 🥓 🍅 🍳

[@marypaino1327]

Will be incorporating waste water into my swale design as I am in a desert climate, mostly laundry rinse water and dish water

[@TheWeedyGarden]

As long as the detergents and soap are organic based that is a smart move

[@TheRealMcJack]

i learn something every time. thanks man, blessings! 🙏🏻

[@djgriffin66]

wish I could add pics here - working on swales here in New Mexico (high dessert) on a patch of land that had sat compacted for many years...Got 7 together on a small slope to work on soil building and water catchment - going to add veg to two for the first few years, (adding raised beds and a walapini - sunken greenhouse - out the back next year hopefully), then cover crop, then 2 more veg, cover, then veg... adding shade tree's (black locust), and fruit tree's - got berries separate atm in a hugelkultur bed amended with a little sulphur.... I tried using cardboard on one, but decided to weed instead as the clay earth mixes better with the horse manure and top soil here without it ;) Hoping I don't regret that ;) Also about to move a tub for a worm farm and getting chickens for the chicken tractor (probably stationary one with tunnels along the cover cropped swales) on steroids.... and the composting toilet ;) No idea if any of it will work, but seriously grateful to Geoff for all he shares & teaches... gotta admit as an ex pat in New Mexico, he is sorta my guru now lol ;) and yourselves for inspiring us all :) Got the wafflebeds done today (NM Pueblo technique)for the 3 sisters (corn/squash/beans) today - so feeling good ;)

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Heads up...share your pix on The Weedy Garden Appreciation Society FB page 🙏👍🏼👌

[@djgriffin66]

@@TheWeedyGarden Heading there now - (this is my adopted name, on FB I use my birth name - DJ Griffin ;) ) See you soon - and thanks

[@cawoman1]

This was the best-detailed video I have seen on swales to date, Thank you so much. Can you explain the placement of the Hugelkultur bury location. Why at the bottom of the slope?

[@TheWeedyGarden]

No reason.

[@cawoman1]

@@TheWeedyGarden OK cool.

[@carlotta4th]

Ohhh, the A frame keeps the swale level with itself, I get that better now. It would naturally follow the curve of the land so you don't have to eyeball or guess how it curves.

[@anabelguerrero7758]

Simplemente mágico!!😊

[@melissasullivan1658]

This was fascinating, thank you.

[@mariapazletelier4403]

Hello!!!, Im from Chile, recently I know the permacultura, is a great world!!, sorry but my english is not good, but only need to say, thanks for your experiencies, I dont understand all you said, but ist a wonderfull world with you!!!. ojalá pudieran subtitular al español!!!!!!

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Many thanks Maria 🙏🏻

[@manasikashyap]

Is there an update on the level sill? Thank you for sharing this ❤️

[@TheWeedyGarden]

On the level sill? Update? Not sure what you mean? What do you mean?

[@manasikashyap]

@@TheWeedyGarden sorry! Just saw this. I found it in your subsequent videos. I wanted to see what the finished sill looked like 🙂

[@kerid9658]

Great work! Beautiful land you have there. I was wondering how long your mango tree has been growing. I started one from a mango I ate. I was surprised it worked. I have it in my mind that all our fruit brought from other countries are being radiated before it’s distributed. Anyway, it’s almost the same size yours is, but mine ends at the top section where yours has more rusty colored leaves growing. It seems to be a slow grower, but healthy. Mine is a very dark rich green all over. I don’t know what I’m doing, but I had some orchid bark left, so I put it on the top of the soil. It’s still in a large pot in my sun room. I open the door often, so it gets fresh air and I collect rain water for it. I’m in NC. I’m not sure how the tree will do here, but I’m not planting it outside yet. We are moving to the country and I want to take it with me. It might stay in a greenhouse for a while.

[@alexandersmith7172]

I wish I could click the like button on your videos more than once.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Well, making a comment is worth 10 likes, so you did good 😀😀🦍

[@alexandersmith7172]

@@TheWeedyGarden :)

[@juhan4511]

This video is so helpful. Now i finally feel able to start with my swales. I have a question : how much space do we need between two swales? Could be that it was said in the video but some parts i don't get because My English is insufficient

[@joyzalik]

Is it possible for you to make a playlist of all the music that you use? 🥺 they’re amazing. I feel so calm listening to them. Like the one at the start of this episode 😭🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@joyzalik]

Omg I just found it. Ballerina by Yehezkel Raz ♾ I’m happy now thank you

[@TheWeedyGarden]

I get all my music from artgrid. There is a link in the description to them. If you sign up, I can send you a screengrab of my library. Just send me a PM via face book 👍🏼

[@joyzalik]

@@TheWeedyGarden Thank you for taking your time to reply! However, I can’t afford the plan. No worries 👌🏼 Thanks again! Will shazam all the music until i find the right one 😂

[@smeargut1809]

To find perfect level I’d suggest finding the most level line, mark the width with tall pegs, use a laser level to mark all the pegs and simply measure from the mark the same height from your marked pegs and you have perfect level.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

and if you don’t have a lazer level, you can use the A frame 🙃

[@vIBEDoUT-Channel]

Permaculture is the best investment even if you don't sell anything ☮

[@beansprout1308]

Big job, keep you fit😊

[@TheWeedyGarden]

💪🏻

[@jefferylegere]

I would love to see a video on how to use the a frame to lay out your swales.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Sure. Then watch part three of the swale videos

[@gabrielleheard6366]

Wow... Earth works!

[@patriciahartner7336]

Good day!

[@Permisiepl]

I would give away all bacon and eggs of this World to have my Teacher on my site with his pickaxe and his A-frame :) I envy you in a positive way and look forward to see the trees on these swales.

[@rumyanakoprinkova3295]

Is it a god idea, to plant vetiver grass, to stabilise the swales? Thanks Weedy garden!☺

[@73m98]

This video proved to me that I’m not watching this for the cinematography. I’m afraid to admit I’m a gardening addict.

[@barrybr1]

Loved when you were riffing off each other....."na, never, no way, not at all, never...."

[@Building_Bluebird]

Earthing makes sense because we're electrochemical organisms and have only worn shoes and lived in homes with non conductive floor coverings for a short period in our history. There's a reason that bathing in the surf or a creek energizes and relaxes the body. It's the lack of connection and related unconsciousness which creates a hell from the actual heaven we live in. Anything we can do to connect with the universe and one another is a nice step forward.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

You should start a KZbin channel to talk about that

[@Building_Bluebird]

@@TheWeedyGarden I'll probably philosophize intertwine that dialogue when we document our boat build and homestead development.

[@jamesofsuburbia1]

Thanks for the video, any more swale or contour stuff could you film it ‘flat’ rather than fish eye? I couldn’t get a feel for the steepness and geoffs work on the slope

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Try watching the third video 😃

[@jamesofsuburbia1]

@@TheWeedyGarden Thanks mate, you're a legend!

[@sethdiffey4421]

Hi, love the video just curious as to steep your slope is and what direction is it facing

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Freeze frame the lidar sequence and you can see. Tunnel facing n to s. Swale at south end

[@zuelue1]

Thanks so much for this! Sadly, the sound seems to be gone in the second part of the video now.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

The sound is fine actually. I just listened

[@peacelovevegankpop]

Hey! Could you explain the overflow point a bit more and where to put it?

[@TheWeedyGarden]

try watching part three

[@tunlandfarm9444]

Geoff, I assume you’ve finished there. I’ll go ahead and send you my address in Texas. See you soon! I’ll have beef bacon ready ;)

[@profas1983]

Any way to make those duck sounds in stereo? 🤣

[@AliBabaZumba]

How can I call Geoff over for a cup of tea & a swale party?

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Grow a big beard and take your shoes off! 😃

[@bibianaandreapinodurango1786]

Soy de Colombia. Esta increíble el keyline y tu proyecto en generar

[@hilly2777]

David, what about most trees having shallow roots that spread more horizontally not too deep down? Does it often happen that the roots grow out into the swales, making them impassable with a wheelbarrow or anything like that? What have you observed since making these with Geoff? Thanks and greetings from Stuttgart, Germany!

[@mandiegarrett1706]

Thank you for taking the time to make this awesome and inspiring video. If you make a swale big enough for a tractor to be able to drive on it, then you can ONLY drive your tractor during the dry non raining season...correct?...or else due to the weight of the tractor, it's wheels will make a big dip or sink into the swale...is that correct? Also, what kind of app you use to show contour line merge in with landscape map? Thank you.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

That depends on the type of soil I guess. You can use google maps. I used Lidar mapping. Link in the description 👍🏼

[@mandiegarrett1706]

@@TheWeedyGarden Thank you.

[@whodareswins18]

Does this style of irrigation welcome loads of mosquitoes?

[@-vermin-]

What do you do about mosquitoes breeding in the standing water?

[@TheWeedyGarden]

water doesn’t stand

[@turbowarp]

I am so confused how to use the level to find the contour line and leave the overflow...

[@livefromplanetearth]

why not plant at that ridge? just curious

[@TheWeedyGarden]

The ridge is my path

[@Wakobear.]

7:00 What are the problems and issues with terracing?

[@brandonmusser3119]

I will give me one like for the end of the video was pretty funny

[@TheWeedyGarden]

🐸🙏🏻

[@Dystopix]

Your videos make my blood pressure and heart rate go down. if it was a bit higher, I would have to move six feet under. So make more videos, please.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Working on it

[@rogerramjet1038]

If you dig the swale in stages will you cover crop the disturbed earth? It will be full of weeds by the time you finish otherwise. You should make friends with someone that has a little subcompact tractor, knock those swales off in a weekend :)

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Plant as I go. I need the exercise

[@TheCoolPowerOfCheese]

Find you a person who admires you as Geoff admires swales.

[@apenasmarcosfelipe]

why can't I hear Geoff's voice? This video has no sound on some parts

[@michaelspence3097]

I love the videos. But I’m sorry I can’t stand the audio in one ear I love the sound effects but it would be great if the dialogue was in both ears

[@TheWeedyGarden]

I’m so sorry about that 😅 I was using a new system (mic on Geoff), and edited without headphones. Was not aware the audio was recording mono. That one slipped by me, but thanks to the feedback, I’m improving on my amature skills in the sound dept. All going well, after another year of this I might start getting good at it.

[@michaelspence3097]

@@TheWeedyGarden haha, it’s completely fine I still enjoyed the content I love the informative videos it always makes me wanna get outdoors and do this stuff myself. I’m pretty jealous of that mango tree I actually had a mango while watching and Geoff said you’d be taking wheelbarrows full of mangos out of there.😩 maybe one day I’ll plant one.