permaculture

232 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops

Field activity : Plant productive swales (Swale Ex. 3)

Method   :  Participatory   field   activity

Tools : See description below

References : PC Book MOD 8 – Forests, Tree Crops, and Bamboo

Objective : Participants practice planting a swale system

Note: Depending on the plants that will be used, this activity may need to be done at

the beginning or during the wet season for the legume tree seeds or cuttings to grow.

However, if water is available it can be done anytime.

Preparation

Materials and tools to prepare: Reference the model developed and chosen by the

group in the exercise Design productive swales (Swale Ex. 1).

• Legume tree seeds or cuttings (with tree guards, if needed).


• Tree seedlings to plant (with tree guards, if needed).


• Legume tree seeds or cuttings.


• Rootstock of pineapple, vetiver grass, lemon grass, comfrey, etc.


• Tools for planting the swales.


• Mulch material.


• Water.

Running the exercise

• Take the participants back to the swale site that they have prepared during the
  exercise Prepare swales for planting (Swale Ex. 2).


• Plant the legume seeds and/or cuttings on top of the swales, very close together
  (5cm apart). The legume trees will grow into a thick fence which will prevent
  erosion and help build up the soil. They will also provide nitrogen, mulch, and
  compost materials. Mention to the participants that legumes can be cut back
  every 1-2 months in the wet season and 1-2 times in the dry season.


• Using the marked out planting locations for the trees, plant the tree seedlings in
  between the swales. See the “Tree maintenance” section of PC Book MOD 8 -
  Forests, Tree Crops, and Bamboo for tree planting techniques.


• In between the rows of legumes now are large rows or “alleys” that can be used
  for many different crops and eventually animals. See PC Book MOD 8 - Forests,
  Tree Crops, and Bamboo for more ideas.


• When the exercise is completed, discuss the results and the different processes
  with the participants.

FI
ELD
ACTIVI

TY

PA

RTICIPATORY