12-26-2025 Observations and Work Finished

Work done:

• Partial census of cactus. Must do a species specific recount, but total planted pads ~840.
• More berms with basins slotted for cactus pads.
• Begin filling in tank pit #1. Pit #2 is where the main pyramid now sits. Pit #1 about 40% filled.
• Plant a patch of Swiss chard in the backyard.
• Plant a patch of Swiss chard in swale #1.

Observations:

• Crimson clover starting to sprout in swale #1, #2 and the northeast swale.
• By planting viable pads in all remaining swales, I estimate that total pad count can meet or exceed 1,500 plants. This should be enough to provide wet fodder for any livestock I may choose to maintain on the property. With winter wheat varieties like Emmer and Einkorn and sorghum and various atriplex varieties in the summer, there should be more than enough dry fodder to mix with pads to maintain any livestock. This should eliminate the need for outside feed purchases. 
• Pyramid water treatment along with climate control after effects seem to be increasing the cold tolerance of plants. This could be coupled with the attenuation of cold weather extremes, but it is almost impossible at this point to even attempt to separate these two possible influences.
• Although anecdotal, I strongly suspect that the water treatment has influenced the health of the cactus, as evidenced by the plump and shiny appearance of every species of opuntia. This theory will be further tested in the coming season by planting two Mexicola Grande avocados in or near one of the swales. This variety is cold tolerant to 15° F (-9.44° C). 

Personal notes:

• I have attempted to reach out to two individuals who are building/experimenting with pyramids, one local and one out of the area, so far with no response. While this is frustrating, I can imagine the reluctance to share experiences. However, if these practices do have an appreciable effect on the flora, then that means that reliance on artificial fertilizers (and possibly other farming chemicals) might be avoided.
• The whole point of my experiment is to demonstrate to existing and potential farmers that it is possible to feed oneself and one's livestock in a completely self-contained way with very little financial exposure. By building a simple wooden pyramid out of reclaimed wood (the only expense being screws, tools and one's own labor), it might be possible to increase productivity by at least 40%. It might be possible to double that with the climate control technology, which can cost as little as $100 to build. That would allow farmers in all arid regions of the world to be self-sufficient without relying on hard to obtain and expensive chemicals and the need for expensive farm equipment. 
• Soil health has been severely degraded in most deserts. I have no hard data at this point, but I suspect that many deserts (like the Sahara) were at one point green and fertile. The destruction of forest cover (see Viktor Schauberger) increases runoff from rains, creating flooding and topsoil erosion. Loss of topsoil and shade results in hard pan that resists seed germination. Year-round flowing rivers become seasonal rivers and then the source of flash floods due to little to no vegetation to slow down water and allow it to penetrate the soil. This is completely avoidable and simple to reverse. See this video on what is happening in the Sahel desert.