Thanks for the video, Paul and Josaiah! Seeing something done makes it so much easier to visualize. Nicely done on the time lapse, too. The sun moved less than I expected it to.
YAY!! Paul helped me transplant that motherwort there in the spring of this year. It is a lovely gift from Erica Wisner that had been planted in a narrow, high foot traffic area up by the Fisher Price House over a year ago. It has VERY pokey / sharp seeds though, and can get very tall and wide, so I thought a less highly traveled location would make more sense. Since it was transplanted way out there in Arrakis, it's been a little neglected, poor plant. That pond is an awesome demonstration and will be wonderful to help the motherwort make it. Niiicce!!!
Great little video. It gives me hope about my journey when learning to create actual natural ponds without any liners or filters. I believe the hardest part is controlling of algae blooms when I just want a tiny bit of the specimen in the pond but then it goes crazy wild.
Hornwort is native to North America and has significant oxygenating, algae-preventing properties. However it's a fast spreader so if you don't want it to crowd everything else out you have to trim it or contain it
@@independentpen hornwort is the reason my pond is full of algae right now. It actually provides great area for the algae to attach and grow. It’s my fault because I allow it to stay in the sun. It needs shade to prevent algae growth on its base.
@@independentpen. That’s when a composting bin is handy! I depended on fast growing water plants to feed my compost pile. The plants kept my pond clean, decomposed in my compost bin quickly and were a great way to organic garden!
The other guys your speaking of have been proven fraud. That is to say, they do use heavy equipment, technology, more man power. Even though they do everything to imply they work alone with primitive tools.
We’re both percolation tests done on the same day or on different days? Way the main point is still the main point: if you have a decent amount of clay in your soil, you can pack it and make it drain more slowly. My only question is if the soil was fairly saturated after the initial test, because that would affect the second test, if it happened right on the heels of the first one.
Hey, I'm looking to build a habitat pond, but am not sure how deep it would need to be to hold water year round without additional input. Can you recommend any resources on this, such as calculating evaporative loss of a pond? I'm in zone 10a in a mediterranean climate that sees about 27 inches of rainfall annually.
the most important thing is ground runoff that will fill your pond after it rains. Without that your pond will likely go dry at times of the year imo. Good ground tanks are fed by the surrounding landscape with inlet channels. I know very little about this - am learning every day.
Did you ever make a pond? if not, I have some suggestions if you are still thinking about it. Capturing ground run off, as mentioned is one good way to keep your pond topped with water, but you can also use existing roofs, gutters etc. to capture rain if you are digging next to your house or an out building. How deep you will have to go depends on your goals and your soil. if you only wish to have a 6 inch deep pond, there's a good chance it will go dry from evaporation alone. In most places, the deeper you go the better your chances of retaining water year round, but some places may have a large clay deposit sitting on top of a giant layer or rocks. In such a case, one wouldn't want to dig deep enough to expose the thick rock layer, as it would likely drain all of your water. Understand what your soil is made of and you will have better chances at success, as you decide what will be best for your unique situation. Hope this helps, and please let us know if you ever made your habitat pond, and how you did it!
Hi. Great video. I have some land in Portugal where we are planning ponds and swales. The land is very sandy so the ponds dry out after rain in about 3 to 5 days. Is this a problem and should we line them with clay?
Reminds me of when I'm on an old four wheeler trail and I come across a big rut that is full of water even after months of drought. I imagine the actions of atv tires continuously stirring it up and packing it down seals it enough to hold water for most of the year.
I love the video. That is a great idea, to speed up the mundane parts, please tell me how I can do that at home. Lol. Jocelyn, I had some Motherwort in Michigan, I found it in a hedge bush in front of someones house. I took it home and planted it on my back fence line. It grew so big and spread so fast that I had to cut it back every year. It got full shade in the late afternoon, and evening. It was a moist area though, about 15 feet from the compost area.
I researched this a while ago and every Internet article I found said no, you need pumps and filters, but then I found this one guy with a blog who did it successfully. It took several years for the pond's ecosystem to stabilize - there were ups and downs, fish die-off, aglae-blooms - but it did work, despite all the Internet nay-sayers. The key was, he said, you need way more plants in there than is typically fashionable for an ornamental pond. If what you want is mostly water with a lily or two, this is not for you. But with extensive planting shelves, it can be done. I'm trying this out in my backyard now ... we'll see how it works!
Yes plants will clean it. Floating and underwater and marsh plants. The problem is big fish. With them your water will never be clean. They stir up the bottom. Filters, pumps are not required in a large body of water with a low fish stocking level.
the most important lesson I have learnt about natural clay ponds is do not put a big fish in it. They will constantly churn up the bottom and the water will always be brown. If you have a pond like that, big fish should be your first suspicion. Little fish are OK, about an inch long. Second thing is clay depth. Critical. Must be deep. The more clay the better. If I was to build one I would truck in clay. Would not be a cheap build.
I've been catching up on podcasts and getting reacquainted with the forums -- I have things to sort out with my UA-cam channel this week, next week my partner and I are starting our mallets. I know how much you love talk, but for real 🍂🌲🏞️
That'll work until a cow stomps around to reach the water whether for a drink or to cool off a bit. As the hot spell continues, water begins to evaporate and old Bossy just keeps mucking up the clay seal.
Use pigs. As they wallow around, they tamp and disturb the water. Sediments will stratify in the pond bed. Sand, then clay, then silt. Just like doing. Soil test in a jar, for clay content.
@@monkeymanwasd1239 Well I am planning a 1/3rd acre pond approx 10 deep at the center. Paul mentioned excavator which is planned. Proper sealing is my question. Can't do what the presenter did at this scale. I would be passed away by then. Thanks for the reply. Oh, Earth is mostly red clay.
@@MaruAdventurer are you willing/ close enough to neighbors to town to get free biomass? From what ive seen the biomass can assist with developing the soil enough that wetlands may dovelop on their own with the assistance of a closed canopy style garden where the plants are close together to conserve water.
I really liked this Josiah as I have been wanting to build a pond right where my washing machine drainage pipes dump the water into a soggy mess in my backyard. But I've been giving myself the excuse of not wanting to buy a pond liner! So you've just killed that excuse and I better go and do my pond now. What is a Badge Bit by the way?
Probably not such a good idea unless you’re using all natural detergents. Otherwise you’re just pumping chemicals right into the natural pond you’ve just worked hard to make. My two cents for whatever it’s worth.
When you get verified for a few BBs (badge bits) you get a badge. We have a whole forum dedicated to this stuff and a book about to come out. permies.com/f/178/
mosquitos don't lay eggs in water that is too deep usually. Most mosquitos lay eggs in things like garbage bins and swamps. Also, if this pond actually attracts wildlife, any mosquitos in here will be food for any fish or frogs that hang out.
@@WebbyWunda tis a fine protein generator, google said this was the definition of a pond "a small body of water formed naturally or by embankment" i guess it always depends on intent too if i treat a lake like a pond it might as well be one utility wise and those different approaches could help the production
While digging a pond at the farm I help out at we found a pretty big clay deposit already at the bottom.
Don't you love when nature helps you out
Thanks for the video, Paul and Josaiah! Seeing something done makes it so much easier to visualize.
Nicely done on the time lapse, too. The sun moved less than I expected it to.
I had a little pond like that sealed and then I threw some crayfish in and they made tunnels to drain it!!
And so will cattails.
@@lynnewebb8881 good to know@
YAY!! Paul helped me transplant that motherwort there in the spring of this year. It is a lovely gift from Erica Wisner that had been planted in a narrow, high foot traffic area up by the Fisher Price House over a year ago. It has VERY pokey / sharp seeds though, and can get very tall and wide, so I thought a less highly traveled location would make more sense. Since it was transplanted way out there in Arrakis, it's been a little neglected, poor plant. That pond is an awesome demonstration and will be wonderful to help the motherwort make it. Niiicce!!!
I hope it sends some roots over there and appreciates the extra water.
Great little video. It gives me hope about my journey when learning to create actual natural ponds without any liners or filters. I believe the hardest part is controlling of algae blooms when I just want a tiny bit of the specimen in the pond but then it goes crazy wild.
Hornwort is native to North America and has significant oxygenating, algae-preventing properties. However it's a fast spreader so if you don't want it to crowd everything else out you have to trim it or contain it
@@independentpen hornwort is the reason my pond is full of algae right now. It actually provides great area for the algae to attach and grow. It’s my fault because I allow it to stay in the sun. It needs shade to prevent algae growth on its base.
@@independentpen. That’s when a composting bin is handy! I depended on fast growing water plants to feed my compost pile. The plants kept my pond clean, decomposed in my compost bin quickly and were a great way to organic garden!
This is almost as good as the guys with the videos who make their own swimming pool and house with a bamboo stick.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 i donno bout that
The other guys your speaking of have been proven fraud. That is to say, they do use heavy equipment, technology, more man power. Even though they do everything to imply they work alone with primitive tools.
I like the time lapse and short and informative format
Hooray!! I love, love seeing this. Thank you for posting!
Clever way to promote the boot camp and the PEP program.
We’re both percolation tests done on the same day or on different days?
Way the main point is still the main point: if you have a decent amount of clay in your soil, you can pack it and make it drain more slowly. My only question is if the soil was fairly saturated after the initial test, because that would affect the second test, if it happened right on the heels of the first one.
Very cool. Great to have the brief format, but pretty complete demonstration.
Seeing this done with such a small pond gives me hope. I just need to get something to tamp it with.
Hey, I'm looking to build a habitat pond, but am not sure how deep it would need to be to hold water year round without additional input. Can you recommend any resources on this, such as calculating evaporative loss of a pond? I'm in zone 10a in a mediterranean climate that sees about 27 inches of rainfall annually.
the most important thing is ground runoff that will fill your pond after it rains. Without that your pond will likely go dry at times of the year imo. Good ground tanks are fed by the surrounding landscape with inlet channels. I know very little about this - am learning every day.
Did you ever make a pond? if not, I have some suggestions if you are still thinking about it.
Capturing ground run off, as mentioned is one good way to keep your pond topped with water, but you can also use existing roofs, gutters etc. to capture rain if you are digging next to your house or an out building. How deep you will have to go depends on your goals and your soil. if you only wish to have a 6 inch deep pond, there's a good chance it will go dry from evaporation alone. In most places, the deeper you go the better your chances of retaining water year round, but some places may have a large clay deposit sitting on top of a giant layer or rocks. In such a case, one wouldn't want to dig deep enough to expose the thick rock layer, as it would likely drain all of your water. Understand what your soil is made of and you will have better chances at success, as you decide what will be best for your unique situation.
Hope this helps, and please let us know if you ever made your habitat pond, and how you did it!
Nice demonstration, thanks Josiah.
Hey great video Josiah!
Thank you for the great video !🙏
Hi. Great video. I have some land in Portugal where we are planning ponds and swales. The land is very sandy so the ponds dry out after rain in about 3 to 5 days. Is this a problem and should we line them with clay?
Post out to the forum at permies - complet with any pics you might have.
More videos please
Reminds me of when I'm on an old four wheeler trail and I come across a big rut that is full of water even after months of drought. I imagine the actions of atv tires continuously stirring it up and packing it down seals it enough to hold water for most of the year.
Similar sort of thing!
I bet you could seal a pond with an atv by going "mudding" in it after a good rain. Might be a fun experiment at least lol
I love the video. That is a great idea, to speed up the mundane parts, please tell me how I can do that at home. Lol.
Jocelyn, I had some Motherwort in Michigan, I found it in a hedge bush in front of someones house. I took it home and planted it on my back fence line. It grew so big and spread so fast that I had to cut it back every year. It got full shade in the late afternoon, and evening. It was a moist area though, about 15 feet from the compost area.
If I was to make a small pond this way in my garden, would the water stay in as good as as with a liner? UK here so never gets hot for long.
Liner would definitely hold water better but it's more expensive and not as good for wildlife
If you put a large fish in it the answer is certainly no. The water will be brown.
With this type of pond, does anyone know if you can clean the water naturally? Like, a larger version of this, could I get water plants to clean it?
I researched this a while ago and every Internet article I found said no, you need pumps and filters, but then I found this one guy with a blog who did it successfully. It took several years for the pond's ecosystem to stabilize - there were ups and downs, fish die-off, aglae-blooms - but it did work, despite all the Internet nay-sayers. The key was, he said, you need way more plants in there than is typically fashionable for an ornamental pond. If what you want is mostly water with a lily or two, this is not for you. But with extensive planting shelves, it can be done. I'm trying this out in my backyard now ... we'll see how it works!
Yes plants will clean it. Floating and underwater and marsh plants. The problem is big fish. With them your water will never be clean. They stir up the bottom. Filters, pumps are not required in a large body of water with a low fish stocking level.
the most important lesson I have learnt about natural clay ponds is do not put a big fish in it. They will constantly churn up the bottom and the water will always be brown. If you have a pond like that, big fish should be your first suspicion. Little fish are OK, about an inch long. Second thing is clay depth. Critical. Must be deep. The more clay the better. If I was to build one I would truck in clay. Would not be a cheap build.
Anybody reading these comments doing pep?
I've been catching up on podcasts and getting reacquainted with the forums -- I have things to sort out with my UA-cam channel this week, next week my partner and I are starting our mallets.
I know how much you love talk, but for real 🍂🌲🏞️
Yelp! Not yet i just got back from working with the north west youth core as a crew member im currently slacking 😅
What's the magic involved here? Is the water causing the clay or silt to the top before compressing. This is neat and cool video.
the sand and clay is packed tight.
That'll work until a cow stomps around to reach the water whether for a drink or to cool off a bit. As the hot spell continues, water begins to evaporate and old Bossy just keeps mucking up the clay seal.
How can cows be used to seal a large pits and the like
How can small cows and such be used to create or assist with maintaining said pond without damaging it
I found that cows do the same thing. They compact the Earth through their hooves. Easy peasy.
@@LitoGeorge depends on how long you keep them there and if they manure there
@@LitoGeorge yikes, have you checked out allan savory and the carnivore diet just those two is a solid regenerative lifestyle on their own
Nice. But how does one accomplish this at scale?
use an excavator
Use pigs. As they wallow around, they tamp and disturb the water. Sediments will stratify in the pond bed. Sand, then clay, then silt. Just like doing. Soil test in a jar, for clay content.
It depends, what type of scenarios are you thinking of?
@@monkeymanwasd1239 Well I am planning a 1/3rd acre pond approx 10 deep at the center. Paul mentioned excavator which is planned. Proper sealing is my question. Can't do what the presenter did at this scale. I would be passed away by then. Thanks for the reply.
Oh, Earth is mostly red clay.
@@MaruAdventurer are you willing/ close enough to neighbors to town to get free biomass? From what ive seen the biomass can assist with developing the soil enough that wetlands may dovelop on their own with the assistance of a closed canopy style garden where the plants are close together to conserve water.
I really liked this Josiah as I have been wanting to build a pond right where my washing machine drainage pipes dump the water into a soggy mess in my backyard. But I've been giving myself the excuse of not wanting to buy a pond liner! So you've just killed that excuse and I better go and do my pond now. What is a Badge Bit by the way?
A badge bit is part of the PEP program permies.com/t/96687/PEP-PEX
Probably not such a good idea unless you’re using all natural detergents. Otherwise you’re just pumping chemicals right into the natural pond you’ve just worked hard to make. My two cents for whatever it’s worth.
What's badge bit?
When you get verified for a few BBs (badge bits) you get a badge. We have a whole forum dedicated to this stuff and a book about to come out. permies.com/f/178/
I DON'T GET WHAT HE EVEN DID!!!!???? WHAT DID HE USE?
clay and sand
He jus playin in the mud an mumblin to the crawdads down there.
Is it just me, or is there hardly any sound to this
ethan anderson I found it very hard to hear what was said.
I think it is low for most of the video. We'll do better next time.
Until the end! Then Paul's voice comes booming out (because I had cranked up the volume).
@@paulwheaton thank y'all for all the work you do!!! 😁
Thanks!
Think I might call that a puddle. 😳
It's a pretty beefy puddle, though.
I mean, I'd call it a demonstration.
Great info
It'll be Caladan in no time.
It will do House Atreides proud!
More on this?
like this? permies.com/wiki/101937/pep-earthworks/sealed-pond-test-earthworks-sand
Hay, where is the sound?
It's what pigs do minus the poop.
Lol, that's exactly what I was thinking!
Rasing mosquitoes? ;)
And critters to eat them!
mosquitos don't lay eggs in water that is too deep usually. Most mosquitos lay eggs in things like garbage bins and swamps. Also, if this pond actually attracts wildlife, any mosquitos in here will be food for any fish or frogs that hang out.
Pond?
This pond is intentionally small for a PEP sand badge. It is intended to be an educational project taking less than an hour.
@@paulwheaton we've always called them a hole
@@joecitizen6755 ua-cam.com/video/GINQvtKaZGY/v-deo.html
A puddle that will be dry by the end of the day.
As explained before, it's not a full size pond, just a demo of the techniques.
Can I ask what video editing program you used?
Edited in Lightworks
Thanks!
Pigs were made for this job IMO.
Tis a fine mosquito nest, but tis not a pond, English .
Apparently it's just for demo, and 'Badge Bit', purposes. He probably filled it back in within minutes of finishing the video. :)
@@WebbyWunda tis a fine protein generator, google said this was the definition of a pond "a small body of water formed naturally or by embankment" i guess it always depends on intent too if i treat a lake like a pond it might as well be one utility wise and those different approaches could help the production