The biggest project on our spring project list is getting a start on our pasture swales. Our garden swale is functioning beautifully, so the next step is to extend our swale system to the pastures. We want to start the next swale near the one in the garden, to take advantage of its overflow. However, we had an obstacle; a big pile of fill dirt that Dan made when he dug out the old buried swimming pool. I finally have some progress to report.
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| Photo from "Our Agrarian Year: Spring Project List." |
Disappearing the pile was done in stages. March was rainy, but in between rains it was warm enough to dry things out. Between the tractor and scrape blade and some hand digging, we redistributed the pile over several weeks.
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| Dan started by spreading out as much as the scrap blade could reach. |
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| Then we had to knock the top of the pile down by hand. |
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| More spreading until he got to the fence. |
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| This last bit at the fenceline was moved by hand as well. |
Then he secured the fence once again, to keep the goats from escaping.
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| Looking at it from the pool side, a view that has been blocked by that huge pile of dirt for over two years! |
The soil was fill dirt: a mixture of sand, clay, silt, rocks, and mica flakes. I don't expect much in terms of fertility, but spreading it out on the pasture was the fastest and easiest option. It's a relief to have it done.
Next, we'll measure and mark a level line to dig the swale. Then, I'll broadcast pasture forage seed over the soil and cover it with old barn bedding. The old straw and manure will be protect the seed and feed the soil. All weather permitting, of course!
© April 2022 by Leigh at http://www.5acresandadream.com
