By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:15:25 +0000

Prudence,
Great question, thanks.
Presently in Australian cities most rainwater is ‘imprisoned’ in pipes as soon as it leaves a roof or road or footpath where once it was naturally absorbed there. Before urban development about 80% of rain stayed where it fell, and about 20% ran off during heavy storms. After urban development the pipes reverse that and treat rain water as if it were a waste product to be got rid of as quickly and efficiently as possible. Thus, the soil life that once thrived dies, the trees never reach their natural canopy height and cover and the insect and bird life dies away. When we ‘liberate’ rainwater with our road gardens here we restore the rain water and the soil to the former productive relationship, the trees grow stronger and there’s more food for the birds, insects and bugs. To liberate the rainwater we make the drains inefficient or simply get rid of them. We drill holes in them so they leak or replace them with ag pipes covered with geofabric to help the pipes leak as much rain as possible to the soil below. Thus the road gardens become self-irrigating, maintenance is cut and plant growth is promoted. We make the rainwater free again to nourish the soil. Yum.

By: Prudence

Prudence — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:52:16 +0000

Hi Michael,
I might have missed something but how do you liberate rainwater? Direct it below ground… I don’t quite understand.
Thanks
(you’re doing some inspiring stuff)

Comments on: Road gardening

By: Michael

By: Prudence