With the concerns about our chalkstream and potential flooding of the village in the future, it is worth noting the contributions of various farmers in the locality. This example is how they go to a greater effort to support our work.
Upper Lamborough Lane is not only a ridge, it is also a watershed. Any heavy rains will drain either Northwards or Southwards. There is a preferred direction for planting maize in order to save of the increasing cost of fuel – that is down the slope.
Observation of a maize field shows a spacing of about 18 inches between rows and 6 inch spacing of the plants along the row.
This is shown diagrammatically:
Plan View of Typical Planting
Water flowing into the field with a rain storm will need to drain away.
There is a preferred direction.
The ability to drain across the scheme will be limited:
However, the flow along the rows will be easier because of the wider spacing:
This shows a field facing North with a planting alignment downhill. Water is then channeled towards Badshear Lane. Not affecting the river and flooding potential this is more economic.
This is a South Facing field. The planting is along the slope using the plants as a brake on water flow down the slope. Whilst this is not so economic, the planting acts as protection for the Bramdean Stream at the bottom of the slope.
