Saturday, June 18, 2011

A Note On Desert Homesteading

Finding information on homesteading the desert is challenging. I know what you're thinking... " of course it is! Who the hell wants to live there?"

Well, I'll tell ya... I'll take 100-115 summers for 3 months over 4-5 months of snow and ice ANY DAY.

Obviously they main drawback is the lack of water. However its usually there, you Just have to be smart about it.

Most deserts have little rain, bit when it comes it comes hard and fast over a short period of time, resulting in flash floods. That's is A LOT of water, if you can harvest it. Rain barrels And catchment systems do work. The native Americans would dig pits and carve out rocks to catch rainwater and fleeting melting snow.

But " you can't grow anything " you say. Sure you can! You Just may not grow what you're used to eating ( and really, most of the fruits and veg at your local grocer aren't from your area anyway its shipped in).

I've successfully grown summer squash, pumpkins, tomatillos, swish chard, carrots, potatoes, yams, pomegranite trees, fig trees, and mesquite.

Lets not forget greywater systems from washing machines, tubs, and bathroom sinks. When done correctly, that alone can keep your desert fruit trees watered.

Bees can travel up to 5 miles for pollen have a hive! And if your desert property happens to have ample brush, how about a small herd of goats? Its possible.

Lets not forget about solar and wind energy, solar hot water heating. And again Like the native Americans before us, escaping to a higher, cooler climate duringthe harshest of heat.
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