Soil
This is the most important material we have on this planet. Without it nothing will survive.We, as a species, are now destroying this at an unprecedented rate. We do not have the mental ability to understand all the millions of things that go on in natural soil and which are fundamental to its and the plants wellbeing. One application of one unknown chemical destroys some part of this complex structure. Dont forget nature took millions of years to develop and nurture us from this. The more we apply the more we destroy. Then we impact the residue with heavier and heavier machines.
The results, as you can clearly observe, are soils with hard pan surfaces which blow away in high winds when dry or flood after heavy rains and wash away. Our soils are ending up in the sea. Natural soils do none of this.
In just 10 years we have seen an abundance of bird life return. Songs all day long. Now there are enough for the predators. We now have two hawks and one owl to balance the bird population. Birds drop guano. By our calculations this could amount, over a year, to several hundredweight per hectare.(Free fertiliser)
Where trees are planted the temperature under them, drops. The hot Mediterranean sun produces interaction between ground and sky due to the temperature differences. Air circulates and in times of increased cloud, observations have been made which indicate increased rainfall.
Careful choice of trees in important for maximum production. Sunlight must penetrate to ground levels during the short days of winter for ground crops to grow. Turning of leaf fall and growth has therefore to be taken into account. We advise on this.
Research is being carried out at present into the effect of moonlight on seed germination and growth. This leads to some rather eccentric building designs as shown, but we design things to suit this function. It has several other functions of course. Rainwater collection and grey water disposal.
Organic Soil Conditioning
* Green manures* Multi-level cropping
Our constant theme is inter-relationships. The items above contribute considerably to ground water gain and flood controls.
Take for instance organic soil improvement. Now this can be achieved fairly simply and only over a period of from two to three years, just by using green manures. The benefits are enormous. I will list a few. Green manures are ploughed in and rot down, returning nutrients to the soil and encouraging soil bacteria and -growth. Essential for a healthy soil. This in turn brings back the earthworm, perhaps the most important creature on earth. Darwins thesis that earthworms can generate up to 1" of soil per decade is, as far as we are concerned, correct.
The soil then becomes a living battlefield of insects and predators, all adding to the humus content of the soil.
This in turn leads to added rain absorption. Heavy rain does not run off this type of structure, but is absorbed to a considerable extent. Ground waters are therefore increased.
... soil retains moisture longer, allowing a greater variety of crops to be grown. If trees are added, soil temperatures are reduced: up to 10-15 in an orchard.
By careful selection, a multi-level cropping system can be installed, increasing crop yields per hectare.
Bird life returns. Our observations confirm that these control pests. Balance is restored. If a pest or disease does get out of control, if left alone it will be brought back under control by an increase of its enemy. The more varied the trees, the less the problem, the greater the return.
Creative Design for erosion control and soil regeneration
Plan of land showing the geometry of the existing contours and the proposed geometry for erosion controls.This was once an abandoned, impoverished valley
This is what used to happen to it
This is what it now looks like
For the past 20 years this valley has been a research project to look into all aspects of sustainable and enriching systems within a semi-arid environment. The systems used and listed below are well tested and can be developed for large as well as small projects. The principles are the same for all.
1. Solar power for water pumping, irrigation, fish propagation, energy and energy re-use. Secondary energy systems.
2. Increases of sustainable water supplies. Water from condensation. Grey water cleaning and re-use. Flood control techniques and excess storage; slow release systems. Increases in ground water. Control of calcium furring to pipe systems. Irrigation systems.
3. Reusable heat systems.
4. Organic soil improvement with various green manures. Multi-level cropping and land temperature controls.
5. Practical teaching courses.
Landscaping for erosion and flood control
A barren rocky hillside having the soil put backCutting the soil into back sloping terraces to trap rainwater and stop runoff
This particular design has proven to be most successful. At no time over the last twenty years have we experienced any erosion to this steep slope. The slope is fully exposed to the south and captures excessive heat. Cabinet and Merlot vines have been planted and will be trained on the Lenz Moser High Culture System to provide total shade during the summer months. Crops can be grown during the winter months. The vines have not proved to be very successfully so we are now planting with quantity olive oil trees.