Colin Princi

I have a pretty steep hill on my property with an order trail cut into it to allow access to the top.  I have a bunch of corrugated flex plastic pipe, and was planning to trench along the inner side of the trail (closest to hill above), and building a long french drain to collect water for retention.  Seems like a way to avoid having to pump water from the house which is down below.  Does anyone have any experience with this, or recommendations for the best way to maximize rentention?  Here on CA Central Coast, we have very distinct wet seasons, and would allow me to plant sub-tropicals along the hillside.  

Thank you for ideas, all good possibilities.  Thinking about it more, an herb spiral came to mind as well, since everything would be build up off the ground, and could utilize fill dirt/potting soil.

I'm working on a permaculture design, looking for some inspiration.  

There is an area on the site with hardpan soil (approx 10'x15'), which is basically exposed shale.  Looking for ideas.  For developing that type of soil, what type of grasses/covercrops are best to break this up (I've read rye, or maybe buckwheat over traditional covercrops such as clover, vetch, etc).  

Also leaning towards utilizing as a small community space and foregoing having to dig into it or develop.  Was thinking something such as a firepit, bbq, cob oven, or something similar.  

Would appreciate any ideas or suggestions!

Colin

Does anyone have any recommendations for trees (fruiting, ornamental, etc.) that grow well in areas with lots of shale?  I have an area with quite a bit of shale, lots of shell fossils in it.  I was thinking something with a deeper tap root would be able to break through well.  Looking for something thicker to block the view of the roadway on the other side.

Been thinking of how to situate some swales well.  The whole area is essentially a floodplain with seasonal water flowing (though unpredictable since we are in CA).

Thanks for the info!  Yes I have an elderberry growing up the slope that seems to be very old and is a heavy producer, not sure how it would fare in a partially flooded area though.  Found that the white mulberry grows up to 40' so was thinking it would be a good option.  I'm definitely looking to incorporate raspberry/blackberry as a shrub layer, but looking for something that grows a little taller.

I am looking to develop a break along a side of my land between properties to hide the freeway adjacent to the property next door.  Looking to find something of a fast-growing edible plant that would work well to block out the sound and view of the freeway, while providing produce and hopefully some pleasant flowers as well.  A little bit about the area:

-  Full sun
-  Very good, dark loam which floods during the winter potentially up to a couple feet deep
-  Water table is ~9' during the summer, would be great to have something with a deep tap root and wouldn't need any (or minimal) water in the summer once established
-  Technically in a 9a Zone, but the aforementioned area is at the bottom of a slope, receives a bit cooler air than a typical 9a
-  Length is ~200'

I was considering planting a couple chandler walnuts along the fence line, but worried that it would ultimately root out (I've read they spread up to 150') and minimize my options for other parts of the field.  

Appreciate any suggestions!

Just installed the valves for a system over the weekend, working towards the landscape.  Excited to learn more!

Good point.  Thinking if necessary mix in a little of both.  Put some low chill hr items near structures and keep the others in the more open areas.

I live in an area that does not get below freezing too often, but is very consistent between 32-45 deg in the winter.  I am wondering what the impact is on trees that are good with low chill areas in this area, even if they can withstand frost?  Do trees that need a higher number of chill hours (600-800) grow better?  Obviously, it would need to cross the varietal's threshold for preferable growth.  Though many nurseries advertise the chill hours needed, I haven't come across anything that indicates a ceiling to the hours.  Any thoughts?