Natural clay layers have let people make ponds on their property 
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Not to be a contrarian but there’s a huge “THIS DEPENDS” here. Some kinds of plants will try to kill other kinds of plants that they see as a threat. Plants will tend to not compete with other plants of the same species (Though there’s Research to suggest that’s not always true either), and plants also develop lots of mutually beneficial arrangements like what you’re saying, but those relationships are limited to other plants not perceived as a threat. Generally, any two plants that try overlap niches will try to kill eachother so they don’t have to compete for resources and space.
So, just be wary of what you plant together. Good idea to watch their behavior, strange as that sounds. There’s definitely advantages to multicropping, but information is everything. Knowing what cooperates and competes is important.
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But the right cover crops are a a good thing to protect the soil, however a nice mulch can do the same.
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Absolutely. Especially in sandy soil.
Thinking of doing something creative here. I love the different personalities of dirt. Makes grapes grow and taste distinct from their growing regions. Rain from the sky, lightning, color change of the sun in autumn for flowering all are a big part and challenge making successful harvests an extremely rewarding challenge imo.
So wanting to use the natural sand but needing a bit of control of my normal soil (I’m bringing some of my river soil.) . My plan is other than holes I’m wanting to use the trencher to make an 2’ grid of the planting area. 3+4 ft deep. Fill the voids w my river soil. This way I can get the sand and keep my familiar dirt. I should be able to play with 5he sandy areas with clones a bit later. My next step is finding how to best water from my pond that’s about 3-400 ft from the growing area. Needs to pump up 15’ incline and drops 10-15 ft other side of crest. In the sand Im prepared to water often if my larger subsurface irrigation project doesn’t happen till next growing season.
Should be full fledged commercial then!
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Careful you don’t create a siphon and end up draining your pond down that other side.
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Oh, if you’re going to be using that area in the future, start preparing for next season and after.
What you can do with wood chips to improve land and make soil. Any grass clippings, leaf litter, pile it all on and let it compost in place.
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Start composting for sure. Maybe even vermicomposting too. Use that as a top dressing, letting it work in. And then if you’re going to be digging holes anyways consider tossing some wood/leaves down into the bottom of the holes like a Hügelkultur, which will then continue to enrich the soil for a few years.
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What the others have said. Yes yes and yes. Can you dig a trench through that hill to drop the incline/decline? I see a sexy front end loader up yonder, you literally can move mountains for this oasis of your dreams.
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Seems ideal for a water ram application.
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