Oldtimer got wild rocky land, started NorCal off-grid Watertopia
Kirsten Dirksen・33 minutes read
The property features sustainable living practices such as solar energy, water pumping systems, extensive gardening efforts, and composting toilets. Various structures on the property are built with recycled materials and rent is often exchanged for labor, emphasizing a self-sustaining and eco-friendly lifestyle.
Insights
- Solar energy plays a crucial role in powering various systems on the property, with the installation of multiple solar panels over the years, showcasing a commitment to sustainable energy practices.
- The property's sustainable practices extend to recycling and repurposing materials, such as using recycled materials for constructing structures like the pyramid garden and hobbit house, emphasizing a holistic approach to environmental conservation and self-sufficiency.
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Recent questions
How is water sourced and utilized on the property?
Water is pumped from the river using a pedal-powered pump and solar-powered irrigation. Sediment can clog irrigation systems, requiring periodic flushing. Pressure compensating emitters ensure precise water distribution. Solar panels power water pumps for gardens and orchards.
What sustainable energy sources are utilized on the property?
Solar energy has been crucial, with the first system installed in 1980 and a recent system at a lower cost. Implements standard golf cart 6-volt batteries, wired in series to form a 48-volt system, totaling 10 kilowatt hours of battery storage for about $1000, a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Maintains two independent battery banks, each with a generator backup, allowing for self-sustained power supply, with excess energy generated and pumped back into the grid.
How is waste managed and repurposed on the property?
The composting toilet system encourages aerobic bacteria for decomposition. Human waste is valuable fertilizer for garden beds. The composting process involves adding carbon after each use and flipping piles annually. Sawdust from chainsawing on the forest floor is utilized to create safe garden or fruit tree holes, avoiding planting root crops in them as a precaution.
What types of structures are built using recycled materials on the property?
Structures like the pyramid garden and hobbit house are built with recycled materials. The house was built using hand tools, with wood sourced from the property. Rent is often exchanged for labor on the property.
How is food production sustained on the property?
Extensive gardening efforts provide a year's supply of food, including potatoes, tomatoes, chickens, pigs, and deer. Growing perennials like Jerusalem artichoke and asparagus provides long-term food sources. The hot tub's ashes are used as nutrients for the gardens. Water is pumped from the river using a system that includes a pedal-powered pump and solar-powered irrigation.
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Summary
00:00
Sustainable Living in Off-Grid Property
- The property features 200 houses on the road, making it unsuitable for Ferrari access.
- A treehouse with roof doors allows for stargazing and protection from rain.
- The house was built using hand tools, with wood sourced from the property.
- A wood-fired hot tub, made from a stew pot, utilizes burnable garbage for heating.
- The hot tub's ashes are used as nutrients for the gardens.
- The property includes an outdoor kitchen with views, made from milled tree countertops.
- The house was initially smaller but was moved due to foundation issues.
- Solar energy has been crucial, with the first system installed in 1980 and a recent system at a lower cost.
- Extensive gardening efforts provide a year's supply of food, including potatoes, tomatoes, chickens, pigs, and deer.
- Water is pumped from the river using a system that includes a pedal-powered pump and solar-powered irrigation.
18:36
Sustainable living practices on rural property.
- Sediment can clog irrigation systems, requiring periodic flushing.
- Pressure compensating emitters ensure precise water distribution.
- Growing perennials like Jerusalem artichoke and asparagus provides long-term food sources.
- Solar panels power water pumps for gardens and orchards.
- Structures like the pyramid garden and hobbit house are built with recycled materials.
- Rent is often exchanged for labor on the property.
- The composting toilet system encourages aerobic bacteria for decomposition.
- Human waste is valuable fertilizer for garden beds.
- The composting process involves adding carbon after each use and flipping piles annually.
- The system has been in place for 40 years, eliminating the need for septic tank maintenance.
36:20
DIY Sustainable Power System with Sawdust & Batteries
- Utilizes sawdust from chainsawing on the forest floor to create safe garden or fruit tree holes, avoiding planting root crops in them as a precaution.
- Implements standard golf cart 6-volt batteries, wired in series to form a 48-volt system, totaling 10 kilowatt hours of battery storage for about $1000, a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
- Maintains two independent battery banks, each with a generator backup, allowing for self-sustained power supply, with excess energy generated and pumped back into the grid, while ensuring proper ventilation for electronics to prevent overheating.
