Logs in Ponds! Experiments in managing excess organic matter

Edible Acres is a full service permaculture nursery located in the Finger Lakes area of NY state. We grow all layers of perennial food forest systems and provide super hardy, edible, useful, medicinal, easy to propagate, perennial plants for sale locally or for shipping around the country…
Happy growing!

[trumpetingangel]

That brush trick works so much better than the wheelbarrow! When I moved brush with the wheelbarrow, I had to retrace my steps and pick up all the fallen branches not to mention the branches poking me in the eye!

[SeekingBeautifulDesign]

An extension to that technique...
Same strap, same layout, but ensure butt ends are aligned. Tighten strap and you can use a chainsaw to cut through the pile. Then you have the brush cut to the same length and tied. I usually put in several ties and cut so that I end up with several bundles.

Brush cut to the same length can be used for biochar, rocket stoves and/or aerobic hugelkultur.

[janehazen]

Doing same activities for different purpose: Attempting to great shallow ponds to slow intermittent creek water down. I've been adapting idea from Regenerative Agriculture and Stream Restoration methods, they call it Leaky Log Dams. Lots of brush and branches first, then the big and small pieces of cordwood and logs. then trenching when I can tell where I need to redirect water. Takes time and patience. The first winter i did nothing, just watched what the water did on it's own. Then trying to imagine where a beaver picks spots for their long term ponds. Yes, may take 3 -5 years to get basic infrastructure and I do have access to plenty of fallen trees or cordwood. Thank you for this wonderfully useful presentation.

[TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

I’m a trucker and often just tie ratchet straps too, for my loads, those clamping devices can be irritating at times too, more trouble than they’re worth…😂. Really interesting technique with the logs, reminds me of ancient Mexico City hugel culture mounds, probably how they did them. You’d of course fill in your pond, but if that was the intention then it be could fantastic. Just occurred to me, maybe they piled organic matter 5-8 feet above the waterline and it “falls” into soil…. Good ideas you stared.🎉

[anthonyburdine]

These videos of unusual ideas and experiments are my favorites !! 😊 Thank you !! 😊

[lucschoonen]

logs in the landscape is always a plus! I just planted a fruiting hedgerow at my parents house and the first thing we did was half burry some logs beside it.

[JayByrdJ]

Great work and effort. I hope to learn more about Flood Plain food security. These tricks and experiments are helping, Thanks for being a mentor to many

[smueller]

my land floods in the spring and I've dug mini ponds and back filled with hand sawed european buckthorn. It definitely helped some toads and the mice as well, mushrooms everywhere

[olliesear]

Now everyone in a wet climate will want 'semi watery hugelies'... You need to copyright that term! 😁 On a side note, I have a friend here in Yorkshire UK who does a lot with willow, and has had a number of commissions to fortify eroding river banks with metre thick woven willow structures; they collect silt from the water, becoming a growing space for trees and shrubs which themselves protect the bank. This is far cheaper than craning in concrete blocks, as well as being far preferable for the habitat.

[RandyLayheyBro]

What a great way to utilize the fallen logs.

A new building video! That would be amazing. I really like your building videos. All your videos are great tho. ❤

[TheRegenBeacon]

Looking forward to seeing how the space evolves!

[zb]

I have a handful of swale/mounds around the property that I've been filling with rotted logs, branches, and any brush that needs a home. So far it's worked great. There seems to be a lot more beneficial critters in them now whereas before (without the brush), in the summer months, it was primarily mosquitoes! Also, running directly along the swales are mounds with a dense planting of woody perennials. Everything in the mounds seem to thrive and benefit from the swales and brush. I always thought of them as a sort of variant on huglekultur!

[fxm]

Sean, you know you got the strap idea from the cover of Led Zeppelin IV. 😄

[dasher-tv]

Cool show for re-purposing organic matter

[morningsnightowl]

i'm sure the salamanders and all sorts of little woodland critters are going to love those sodden logs as well!

[racebiketuner]

I did something similar last year. I covered the logs with soil and planted carrots in the spring. I top watered them until they germinated and mulched with chopped fava bean stalks. After that, no water or work until harvest. Please note there's a terrific amount of settling using this method! If you intend to grow on top, best to double the amount of soil you'd normally use for any particular crop.

[tcoxor]

Happy and proud to be part of the subset! Great info as always!

[flowerstone]

We do a lot of chipping with our brush. Spread it on our raised beds along with all our maple leaves. Goes on our herbal beds and anywhere we want to slow the weeds. The chips also make great trail beds too. We live in the timber so lots of chips available. Haven’t burned brush for 40 years. We have a spot on the property where we pile all the excess material. Critters love it and it is constantly rotting into compost that we can use. 😊

[allonesame]

🦃🍗Grateful for you, family, and friends.🦃🍗For all you share and your amazing living-with-nature patterned ways. 🦃🍗 May good fortune smile on you always. 🦃🍗Happy Turkey Day🦃🍗

[djsleestack]

Awesome tip for the ratchet straps
Thanks brother 😊