One of the most interesting moments of any era is the turn of the century. Remember Y2K? We were all worried that our computer systems would go down and the world would be faced with technical chaos. Of course it didn’t happen. The question is, did the rumored collapse not happen because we got around it or was there no difficulty in the first place? Interesting at the time, and in retrospect maybe still interesting, but nowhere near the really interesting time of this era.
Imagine, the Mayan calendar ends in this decade, or close to it. Nostradamus predicted drastic events in the first years of this century and the soothsayers of our time say that a natural catastrophe is going to happen to us that will have an eternal effect on the world. Can it all be just fiction?
Then I remembered Chernobyl, the Sri Lankan tsunami and the brave Japanese fight against the sea and the possible meltdown of their nuclear reactors. Where once there was a tornado or two, there are now 900 a season, not a hot hop and skip from where I live in North America. Floods, once rare, are now commonplace and power outages are the normal result of our winters and sometimes new summer heat waves.
When I first read about sustainable living, I was surprised to find that it was much more common than I imagined. My neighbor brought his new sustainable system to my attention which impressed me so much that, after very little consideration, I began implementing some of his efforts in my own home and garden.
The first consideration was energy, the second was water, and the third was waste disposal. Solar panels were installed on two platforms along with the storage system and cut from the electrical panel. The plan was to use the new system as an emergency backup system, but then thought to extend a 12 volt system throughout the house for lights, technical equipment and entertainment media providing their own adapters to reduce energy consumption. . Our house was built on a slope, which made developing a Thermal System much easier than normal. By modifying the south-facing windows, we were able to create a natural heating and cooling system within the design of the house.
Pleased with the results to date, my wife and I developed a roadside retail store to sell the produce I hoped to produce in the garden spots around the yard. We plant more than 350 trees, numerous shrubs and perennials; attractive appearance is part of the equation. Whenever possible, we included fruit trees in the mix along with berry bushes. Our little spots in the garden were ideal for tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, lettuce, onions, beans, and various herbs. They are all growing magnificently, watered regularly and looking forward to moving pots. An appropriately sized shed in relation to the number of pots you use is an excellent idea.
When selling overproduced produce or operating a produce business, it is wise to make use of all the local markets you can find. The lack of shipping costs reduces your expenses. Packaging becomes a minor expense when using reusable containers.
A basement vegetable storage area is a great idea to protect your winter use and is a perfect system when added to refrigerated units set to minimal use for long term items. The power you need to operate the auxiliary equipment is calculated upon completion of the general design.
The supply of water for all uses is crucial. Rainwater is free. Rainwater harvesting can be a passive effect of design, and a simple irrigation method can cover a one-acre site. However, larger areas will require a more sophisticated irrigation method and it is covered in the commercial designs. A pond is a recommended addition if there is no natural collection or flow of water on the site. Finding a natural water source is an ideal factor.
When it was complete, we were ready to maximize the many uses presented and make the appropriate changes to our designs. Working with Earthworks, a Canadian company that specializes in producing eco-design and currently producing an Eco Village on 72 acres in central Ontario, has given us a much broader reach in turning experience into improvements. You can visit our site, for photos and additional information.
