Should You Cover Crop a New Swale?

In this Q&A, Geoff explains why a new swale should be protected with fast-growing cover crops, then transitioned into perennial ground covers as the tree system matures.

This video is taken from Geoff’s 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: Zach asks whether a new swale trench should be covered with a crop. Geoff says yes: establish a fast annual cover immediately to hold soil and reduce erosion.
00:00:32: Leguminous agricultural seed crops can add nitrogen, build root structure, produce mulch, reduce evaporation and help the system start functioning.
00:01:22: As trees establish, transition from annual cover crops to perennial covers such as pinto peanut or Singapore daisy, which will eventually be shaded by canopy.
00:01:56: A swale is primarily a tree-growing system, so the ideal sequence is annual cover, perennial cover, then tree-dominated stability.