Re: New theory
How about using the same kind of flexible fabric coated with holes in it piping that builders use under a basement floor when they are building that vents Radon gas and water., also used in other landscaping areas for water drainage but when they hook a vertical pipe to it in the basement its to vent radon. Not sure what the name of this pipe is called.
---- you wrote:
> 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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