New theory

This theory on soil aeration was sent to me by Kevin Smith.  We ask you to look it over and offer any opinions you may have.  Thanks!
 
"This is my theory so lets call it the Smith Theory.
 All the information in this theory are a combination of my own experience
and more importantly taken from "Arboriculture Integrated Management of
landscape trees, Shrubs and vines" by Richard W. Harris. So now that credit
is put where credit is due lets jump in.....
  
        My theory revolves around one point and one point only in several
forms for several reasons.
        Point one, The decomposition of organic matter (anything that was
previously alive or byproduct of a living organism) produces about equal
parts of methane gas and Carbon Dioxide and it generates heat. Each of these
conditions are detrimental to plant well being. Loss of soil Oxygen is
probably the most important environmental factor associated with plant injury.
        Now my theory in reversing the build up of Methane Gas and Carbon
Dioxide is two part to add oxygen deep into the soil as the destructive gas
is allowed to escape using the same channel.
    Since this is only a theory and I have not attempted it before here are
the parts that will be needed but actual amounts will obviously vary.
     #1. 30 feet of 4 or 5 inch PVC or ABS pipe
     #2. 8, four or five inch PVC or ABS elbows.
     #3. Roll of 6 ft by 12 ft geotextile fabric
     #4. Approximately three yards of lava rock you know the stuff used for
walking paths (I am no mathematician so you will have to figure the actual
amount)
     #5. 3/4 yard of sand
        The practical application for our purposes in growing AG's is
this.....
  Dig your planting hole 5 feet x 5 feet by 4 feet deep totally remove the
soil and set aside. At the bottom of the planting "mound" place a layer of 5
inch deep lava rock which has a porosity of 48% to 50%. level off and prepare
the aeration pipes.
  These consist of the 4 to 5 inch PVC or ABS pipe cut to a length of 4 feet
for the horizontal and 5 feet for the vertical (your application may vary due
to the construction of your mound) connected by elbows and topped by two more
elbows one on each stand pipe. Aeration is increased by joining the two
vertical aeration pipes across the bottom of the planting hole, Oxygen
concentration in the pipes will be 10 times greater than in vertical pipes
alone. it is true that horizontal movement far surpasses vertical movement
but without the connection you simply have dead end pipes with stagnant air.
so now you have two figurative U shape pipes. the horizontal and vertical
pipes are now drilled every inch on eight accesses around the pipe. A 1/4 to
1/2 inch drill bit should do the trick.
   The next step is to insert the pipes into the "mound." On top of the lava
rock you will place your "two" U shaped aeration pipes. figure your "AVERAGE"
wind direction (mine is west to east) and set the pipes in that direction
Measure a foot from the "flat side" and place the pipe in the mound. Now your
two pipes are three feet apart. take the two elbows on either side of your
vertical pipes and turn one into the wind and one away. Now you have your
VENT secure the pipe to the bottom and sides with wire,rebar,or stakes. it
only need to support while the back fill is in progress. Take the sheet of
geotextil fabric and wrap the vertical pipes and secure with duct tape at top
and bottom. Fill the hole another 12 inches deep with lava rock and cover
completely with the geotextile fabric (remember this is your separation layer
between the lava rock and the back fill soil so secure it the best you
can)place a 4 inch layer of sand over the geotextile fabric and back fill the
mound with your amendments and parent soil, etc.,
   this experiment should supply an optimal supply of oxygen for the roots.
 This is where I come to you to proof read the theory and to find the
"holes"in my theory so tear it apart I love to have my work put to the
test"............
Kevin Smith
    Torrance CA
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