Re: New theory
> Joe and Kevin,
There are a few growers that have tried this theory. You can buy
perferated 3" leach line..8ft lengths and line the bottom of the hole with
them having the open end protrude out the side of the hill. The method
Iused was to get some T-tape...holes are every 8 inches and bury it in dug
trenches and added lava rock on top then the good top soil then I used a
compressor to force air through the tubing on timed intervals. Best of
luck!
MBrock
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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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