MOM's Self-Reliant Homestead

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As of January 1, 1985 (the greenhouse's first winter), production is excellent. The solar-compost combination, along with a boost from a catalytic kerosene heater placed below the beds between compost fillings, keeps soil temperatures above 70°F, and air temperatures have stayed above 40°F. Our coldest night so far has been 7°F, but cold hasn't settled in for an extended period. Bob comments that the compost piles, when fully active, seem to add just about the same amount of heat as the kerosene burner. What's more, the air-circulation system has boosted soil temperature a full 10°F on clear days.

Look for detailed construction information in the next issue of MOTHER.

THE PLAN TODAY

When we introduced this project back in issue 83, we included a rendering that showed what our plans were for the self-reliant homestead. At the time, one staffer remarked that the drawing was attractive but that there wasn't much detail—a real concern for someone who has to worry about how much something is going to cost. The problem is that though you may know what you want to do at the beginning of a permaculture project, it's just plain impossible to say exactly how you're going to do it. More to the point, excessively detailed plans can hamstring such an effort if they prevent one from seeing and profiting from nature's ways.

The illustration we've included with this article is a lot more detailed than the first one, but there're still quite a few areas where, if pressed, we'd have to say we just don't know exactly what's going to go there yet. Nonetheless, most of the distinct zones on the property have begun to teach us what they're best suited for, so we can at least tell you what their general purpose will be. We'll also mention some of the plants that are likely to be grown in each area and what animals may circulate there.

North Sun-Trap: Starting on the north end of the property, we aim to establish a suntrap. This windbreak will shunt cool air descending from the hollow above the property around the orchard, annual beds, and house. Going toward the north, we'll plant hybrid poplars that will be coppiced for biomass and firewood, white pines (because they grow rapidly), Serbian spruce, and hemlock. Back in these trees will be a manurerotting area, where manure will be rendered to add texture to growing beds.

Orchard: Within the shelter of the north sun-trap, we'll have an orchard consisting of a variety of dwarf fruit and nut trees. The specific types we'll use will depend on what's available, though we're most interested in heirlooms. (Perpetuating old-fashioned varieties of plants is one overall goal of our agricultural plans for the land.) We do know, however, that we'll be moving apple rootstocks of EM-9 and EM-7, as well as several sand cherry and quince trees, from the main Eco-Village gardens. You can see the EM-9's on the espalier at the front of the orchard in the drawing. To both sides of the fruit trees are walnuts and filberts-two nut trees we definitely plan to use. Off to the right of the orchard are elderberries, and the three rectangular areas are biodynamic compost piles for the annual beds below.

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