When Should You Use Keyline Farming Instead of Swales- (And Can They Work Together-)

Keyline farming and swales are two powerful water-harvesting strategies in permaculture design. But when should you use one instead of the other?

In this Q&A, Geoff explains the key differences between swales and keyline cultivation, how each system manages water in the landscape, and why they are often used together rather than separately. If you’re designing for pasture, trees, or whole-farm water management, this insight can help you choose the right approach.

This video is taken from Geoff’s 2019 Online Permaculture Design Course, which includes weekly Q&A sessions where he answers student questions. Learn more about Geoff’s courses at: https://www.discoverpermaculture.com

Key Takeaways:

00:00:04 – 00:00:32: The question: When should you use keyline farming instead of swales, especially on land where both systems are possible?
00:00:32 – 00:00:56: Swales and keyline can be combined. Swales harvest and store water along a defined contour line, while keyline cultivation spreads water across a broader area.
00:00:56 – 00:01:26: Keyline systems are typically used for grazing pasture. Swales, on the other hand, are designed to support trees and diverse planting systems.
00:01:26 – 00:01:50: Once trees are planted, keyline ripping becomes difficult because machinery like the Yeomans plow can’t move through established tree systems.
00:01:50 – 00:02:21: Swales are often built along keyline patterns between key points, even though they are not installed using a keyline plow.
00:02:21 – 00:02:46: The main difference in outcomes: swales lead toward tree-based systems, while keyline cultivation primarily improves pasture.