Main Purpose and Description
An earth bank constructed along the contour with a furrow on the up-slope side – this is filled with dry leaves, compost and soil. The top of the earth bank is levelled off to allow planting. The swale catches runoff, spreads it out and helps it go deep into the ground to where the roots are.
Used in home-gardens and smallholder fields. Widely used within permaculture systems.
Further information can be found in the WRC Resources Library
WH&C Vol2, Part 1 (T: Pp 145-146 & H), AWHGS (CS: Chap 5, P.25 and H:, Chap.5, H1, Pp6-7)
