4 water sources · Gravity-fed drip · 1 ha · ~300m altitude
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200 m³ storage~10m × 12m × 2m depthBentonite or EPDM linerLocated at highest practical point for gravity feed. Swale channel feeds rainwater from slope above. Winter refill (Oct-May, ~800mm rain) fills it completely. Solar pump from well tops up during extreme drought. Overflow spillway feeds lower swale chain.
Existing boreholeBack-up for all systemsPrimary drinking water source. Solar pump can push water uphill to irrigation pond during drought. Also fills rainwater tanks when empty and tops up natural pool evaporation.
250m² roof area170,000 L/year harvest0.85 efficiencySouth-facing roof feeds gutters → first-flush diverter → 3×5,000L rainwater tanks. Overflow from tanks pipes downhill to the swale chain. Greywater system (future) could irrigate Zone 1.
15 m³ storagePolyethyleneGravity to house + poolUsed for household, drinking water, seedling watering, pool top-up. First-flush diverter prevents pollen/dust contamination. Tanks overflow downhill to the swale chain — excess water spreads through the garden instead of being wasted.
112 m³No chemicals30% regeneration zoneNatural swimming pool biofiltered by aquatic plants. Regeneration zone (22m²) with water lilies, yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus), reed mace, water mint. Evaporation loss ~45 m³/yr topped up by rainwater + well. Separate from irrigation — kept clean for swimming. Attracts dragonflies, frogs, pest-eating birds.
16mm drip tape30cm emitter spacing2 L/h emittersNight wateringNo-dig raised beds. Drip lines from pond via main 32mm HDPE pipe. Separate valve zone. Solar timer waters at night to minimize evaporation. Mulch reduces water need by 50%+.
2-4 drippers per tree8 L/h eachSeparate valve zoneApple, pear, plum, cherry on cooler west slope. Drip from main irrigation line. Mulch under trees retains moisture. White clover living mulch fixes nitrogen.
2-4 drippers per tree8 L/h eachPeach, apricot, fig, pomegranate, persimmon on warm east-south slope. Berry hedgerows (blackberry, aronia, elderberry) also on drip. Early bloomers higher on slope for frost drainage.
25 trees8m × 8m spacingDrought-adaptedOlives need watering only in first 2-3 years and extreme drought. Cover crops (vetch, clover, fava) between rows build soil and fix nitrogen. Chestnuts on cooler north edge.
Blackberry, raspberry, currant, aronia, elderberry, jujube. Some on drip, some dry-farmed once established. Estimated yield: 80-120 kg/year.
Dry-farmed rotation: grain, chickpeas, lentils, forage for chickens. Green manure cover crops build soil. No irrigation needed once established.
South-facing, sheltered from wind. Near orchard for pollination. Yield: 20-60 kg honey/year.
Water: ~2 L/day from rainwater tanks or well. Negligible water demand. Rotated through orchard and vegetable garden.
Comfrey leaves as activator. Between kitchen (Zone 0) and garden (Zone 1). Second compost area at orchard edge.
Essential component at pond outlet. Prevents algae and debris from clogging drip emitters. Clean monthly during irrigation season. Without it, drip lines will clog within weeks.
Water flow: Rain → roof gutters → tanks (15m³) → overflow to swale chain; slope runoff → swales + pond (200m³) → gravity drip to all growing zones
Back-up: Well → solar pump → pond top-up during drought
Pool: Separate system — rainwater + well top-up only — kept clean for swimming
A swale is a ditch dug ON CONTOUR. It stops rainwater running downhill and lets it soak into the soil.