This resonates with me. There are Earthworks on this land and they have been dry for better part of a year. I am focusing on catchment that is closer to my home and using amendments to improve the desert soil. I hardly had any carbon in the soil so now That has been my main focus. Irrigation is a necessity at this point. Irrigation has also become the carbon delivery system which is a useful stacking function.
Discussion
Please explain that last part about irigation being carbon delivery? like silt and other biomass?
Its very slow starting up from a plowed dead land in these types of climates. Thats why I prioritize the earthworks.
All I am growing now is on a land that doesnt capture water. Sometimes it feels like I will have to start from 0 after earthworks, moving all that "top soil". I wont be able to put it aside since its too little. But after those earthworks, there will be much much more standing water after rains.
I have been making char and using IBC totes for irrigation. They work well as the volume fills any swale or small canal on my 3 acres.
The Char mixed with silt and clay (basically the sifted desert soil) gets put in the IBC tote with water. Sometimes I aerate them sometimes not. Algae grows in them adding to the organic matter along with the small biochar slurry.
Pretty low tech, but still effective at getting some carbon and life in the soil where none is.
Hey that's a great idea!
Something to add to my toolbox!