New Pond Build

[jsasker007]

I would guess that they moved about 16 loads of sand. Today I have placed 4 small dump-trailer loads of black dirt so far.....and will do about 4 to 6 more this afternoon....then drag it smooth and seed some oats in.....as it may rain on Thursday. Not sure how well that sand would hold up if we were to get a big downpour. I need some root mass to bind it all together. Working on it.

That's it? WOW. Must be decent ground underneath and was just low huh? My high number was based off of when I built my shed which was only 44 x 100' took 128 loads of fill. When we started they were guessing it would take about 40 loads. Then we were at 80 loads down and still packing in. Final count was 128 loads which to this day I can't comprehend how that much is packed under the shed and about 6 to 8' past the perimeter of the building.

 

[Foggy47]

Today I placed about 20 yards of semi-black dirt over the sand which covers those tamarack logs. I rented a small dump trailer and made ten trips with about two yards per load. Loaded the dump trailer with my "orange crush" and used my Honda Ridgeline to haul and place the dirt.....in order to get some organic material to grow some oats.....and later some switchgrass. Planting some willow cuttings along both sides in another few weeks. Anything to bind this soil together. This project began about 8 years ago....and is finally coming to fruition. Really turned out nice. It's 100 yards long and 12 feet wide.....and it's built better than some township roads.....IMO. I love it when a project like this comes together. Been a long time in doing so. Now I gotta get that dirt leveled out and some oats planted ASAP. Got Willow Cuttings coming in mid-May for the edges....and will plant switchgrass once the soil warms up a bit. Lots to do. So far / So good.

 

[Brian662]

I would not plant switchgrass in the areas you plan to walk. What I mean by that is, if it's only 12' wide, there isn't much room there for a stand of switch. Even if you planted the whole 12' to switch you'll either be walking through switch and leaving scent/noise on your access OR if you mow the switch for a walking path down the middle, when you walk on mowed switch it is incredibly crunchy (noise).

Food for thought, learn from my mistakes.

 

[Foggy47]

I would not plant switchgrass in the areas you plan to walk. What I mean by that is, if it's only 12' wide, there isn't much room there for a stand of switch. Even if you planted the whole 12' to switch you'll either be walking through switch and leaving scent/noise on your access OR if you mow the switch for a walking path down the middle, when you walk on mowed switch it is incredibly crunchy (noise).

Food for thought, learn from my mistakes.

Good to know. I think I am nearly 20 wide....will measure. Thinking two 5' switchgrass screens and a 5 foot trial down the middle for walking driving a wheeler or an e-bike. Maybe clover in the middle......or just some more ordinary grass. I do want to have a potential sneak trail to the other side to access stands. The deer sure have been using the road allot.

Never considered it a problem to walk on mowed switch. Good to know. Most important right now is to get some roots growing. I am going to plant some oats today or tomorrow. Got rain coming Thursday.....I hope. Tinder dry here.