I have 24 solar panels on my roof (no battery storage so I accrue credits with the local utility). I’ve stripped up ~2000 sq ft of sod for an orchard/vineyard/garden/chicken coop. Finally got all the weeds, roses & flowers cleaned out. I plan to graft on the fruit trees so I can grow multiple species & fruit types on a single tree. Just picked up a small garden tractor with attachments to work the soil & a chipper/shredder to aid my compost pile & make my own mulch. Slowly fleshing out my urban homestead.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Not sure what I was thinking when I made the original post but my panel count is only 20. I must have been remembering the original plan, but I had to cut it back when the solar company realized I had too much chimney shadow to make the additional panels worthwhile.
Plamon
Level 4
June 22, 2018
1
How does it go getting electricity credits over your way? I have just signed a new contract wherein I get 20 cents per KWH from next month, currently get 16. Would love a battery, but the numbers just don't support it.
Rugglesby
Level 8
June 16, 2018
0
It’s a one-for-one KWH credit. For every watt I produce that I don’t use, I get credit. Then when I use more than I produce (winter months) I draw down the credits before I get charged for any usage. When I’m building credits I ink get charged ~$6/mo for the connection fee to the grid.
@Plamon OK, Interesting, for many people I know that would be better than what I have. I pay 30 cents for every thousand watts I use, but get 20 cents for every thousand I send to the grid. Works for me, I use 3 of theirs at night, and send them 20-40 of mine each day depending on season. But not many people are set up the same as I am. Most use more from the grid than they send so would love your set up.
Would love to see pics of all your progress if you are inclined to share...???
Free_2B_Me
Level 7
June 16, 2018
0
Just a bare patch & a compost pile right now. I have a stack of wood I’m turning into chips, then I’ll start tilling & making holes for trees, berries & grapes (whatever isn’t too late to plant this year. That’ll be worth taking pictures of.
@Plamon l meant just pics in general...of your solar panels, of your lawn tractor...it doesn't have to be the finished product to be worth sharing!?
Do you do all this alone or do you have help? I am struggling with 3 gardens and an orchard. The gardens were my late partners work and it was almost a full time job for her. Now it has become too much for me.
JackPedigo
Level 9
June 16, 2018
0
All on my own for now. But constantly on the lookout for a like-minded lady who can tolerate me. ?
@Plamon Good luck. Isn't Boise a conservative ares? Where I live is very liberal, sometimes too much even for me.
Cool - I want to do this to my house as well. My project for next year. This year I have to do the gutters and the update the carpet. (Just moved it.)
marmot84
Level 7
June 16, 2018
0
I was fortunate enough to find an older house the previous owner had updated in preparation for selling. So nothing HAD to be done inside (but there are things I’d like to change). I’ve learned the hard way that I overestimate my capacity when I set deadlines so I work at it steadily and just let it come together.
I was fortunate enough to find an older house the previous owner had updated in preparation for selling. So nothing HAD to be done inside (but there are things I’d like to change). I’ve learned the hard way that I overestimate my capacity when I set deadlines so I work at it steadily and just let it come together.
I was fortunate enough to find an older house the previous owner had updated in preparation for selling. So nothing HAD to be done inside (but there are things I’d like to change). I’ve learned the hard way that I overestimate my capacity when I set deadlines so I work at it steadily and just let it come together.
I was fortunate enough to find an older house the previous owner had updated in preparation for selling. So nothing HAD to be done inside (but there are things I’d like to change). I’ve learned the hard way that I overestimate my capacity when I set deadlines so I work at it steadily and just let it come together.
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Posted by kmazI recently had a couple of these signs made because sometimes in trying to make a plug available (or urge others to do so) there are some nuances that come up, such as you don't want to scare ...
Posted by JackPedigoCitizen Science [re-sources.
Posted by RugglesbyI feel like I should be living in my grandparents time.
Posted by JackPedigo[islandgrownsj.
Posted by walklightly1519 days after successfully escorting metgasco off the land: bentley of the northern rivers, nsw, australia - clear air, pure water, clean soil.
Posted by walklightly1519 days after successfully escorting metgasco off the land: bentley of the northern rivers, nsw, australia - clear air, pure water, clean soil.
Posted by walklightly1519 days after successfully escorting metgasco off the land: bentley of the northern rivers, nsw, australia - clear air, pure water, clean soil.
Posted by JackPedigoI saw this today and even though it is a bit old it applies especially these days. It referenced the "boiling Frog Syndrome" which I have posted several times.
Posted by farmboy2017I call this piece "The Jurists" I'll cast it in a few weeks.
Posted by farmboy2017I make cast iron sculpture by recycling old steam radiators and re- melting the iron. This tile is about 4" x6".
Posted by farmboy2017I make cast iron sculpture by recycling old steam radiators and re- melting the iron. This tile is about 4" x6".
Posted by farmboy2017An example of my work. Stoneware bowl fired in reduction.
Posted by farmboy2017A whole bunch of olla ready for the garden?
Posted by farmboy2017This is a one gallon olla used to irrigate garden plants. It works using capillary action. The vessel is porous and plant roots will wrap around it and drink from it!
Posted by farmboy2017I'm building a tiny house with an attached green house. It'll be off grid.
Posted by RugglesbySadly in suburbia these days, I did have a few acres on the coast a little further south 8 years back, sadly property settlements and so forth, so I start again - again - again.