Marilyn Wann

Thanks for the links. I've read with interest.

The white pvc pipe in the second photo is part of the hillside's existing sprinkler system. I have imagined converting it to drip or soaker hoses to avoid the erosion and wasted water of sprinklers, in future. I posted here because I'd like to be able to store and use rainwater as much as possible.

The level of the gutters are a couple feet below the uppermost level of the hillside.

Thanks again!
Marilyn

Thanks for responses.

I apologize for the download time on photos. I will try again with smaller versions.

I was hoping to avoid tanks and pumps, but that may well be the best option. Thanks!

I had not heard of guzzlers. Will look into them further. Thanks!

Hi:

I'd love to hear what people have done in similar situations...

A 30-degree slope runs along the uphill side of our property in Southern California — photos attached. Too steep for swales. I want to plant a permaculture forest on this hillside. Soil is heavy clay. It's too steep to comfortably walk on as it is now.

I've had English ivy cut down to the ground and covered in (evil) black plastic for a couple years in hopes of killing it.

When I have gutters installed on the roof, I'm wondering if there's a workable way to get rainwater to this slope.

I've had a few ideas: net and pan earthworks; vetiver terraces; blue barrels strapped to well-anchored posts; built-in-place ferro-cement retaining walls for terracing and water storage.

Thanks for any feedback.

Marilyn

This is a topic I hear about a lot because I have been a fat rights activist/author for 25 years. There is a growing community of people in health-related professions who have, since the mid-80s, developed an approach called Health At Every Size. It's a response to the mainstream culture's weight-based definitions of health and focus on weight-loss goals. A HAES approach includes trusting one's internal hunger and satiety cues.

If anyone is interested, I'd recommend an internet search on...
- Health At Every Size
- intuitive eating

Some resources, among the thousands possible...
- www.sizediversityandhealth.org
- The Diet Survivors Handbook, by Matz and Frankel

Best! - Marilyn Wann

Hi:

I apologize if I'm posting this in the wrong forum. This is my first time posting.

I'm planning to establish a permaculture garden around the suburban house where I grew up in Southern California.

My current question is about ways to use a pine tree that has to be removed.

(It was a volunteer 30 or 40 years ago, right next to the driveway. Now, the roots have cracked and raised the driveway, making it nearly impassable for my dad's car.) We're going to have to remove the old driveway, cut down the tree, grind down the roots, and install a new driveway. (I'm looking into ways to direct rainwater flow from the driveway into swales in our front lawn. I thought about permeable pavement but the clay soil is so dense, I doubt it would be worthwhile.)

Some ideas I've considered...

We have a sloping area in the backyard and I was wondering if pine logs would be useable at all for a retaining wall or for some sort of hillside, water-retention network.

I don't know how useful the wood chips would be from a pine tree, for mulch, etc. Is it too acidic?

We're not allowed to burn in the open here. I have a small, metal biochar pit, about 2 feet across. It would take me a very long time to chop pine logs and make biochar, but I could use some of the trunk pieces that way.

I've read about milling lumber with an industrial chainsaw attached to a platform on a trailer. I would need to find people who operate such equipment in this area. My dad has woodworking equipment in the garage and I'd love to build benches and other outdoor furniture with pine from this tree. Or find a way to sell or share excess lumber.

The neighbor across the street uses a wood fire for heat in the winter, but I think they're used to dry, aged wood. I could offer them some.

I welcome any advice! Thanks. - Marilyn