I walked into class at our flagship Lab in Wyoming one afternoon and posed the following question to the class. “If we were camping and forgot to load the cooler with water and we didn’t have a filter what would we do?” Of course, with a class of 3rd and 4th graders, I got answers …Read More about DIY Water Filter
water management
Filtering and Treating Rainwater
Dave and I often discuss a shared daydream, a vision for the future, that is extremely compelling to the two of us. We both strive to build the perfect homestead. Perfect in our own eyes, of course. Dave has his vision and I have mine and though they are individualized concepts of perfection there is …Read More about Filtering and Treating Rainwater
Measuring Rainfall and Collection Potential
Rainwater is the lifeblood of the garden. The pH is optimal for garden plants, and the soluble nutrients provide a nice boost. But rain is anything but predictable. The clouds roll in and you think you’re in luck only to get a drop or two. Other times, out of nowhere the drops start falling from …Read More about Measuring Rainfall and Collection Potential
How to Dechlorinate Water
One of the foundational processes in the Edible Learning Lab is the promotion of good bacteria. Bacteria are beneficial to healthy soil and plant development in a number of ways. One of the most important relationships exists between rhizobia, a specific soil bacteria, that fixes nitrogen for plants at the root level. Plants are unable …Read More about How to Dechlorinate Water
Ways to Capture Rainwater
Capturing rainwater is a dead simple process. A bucket, barrel, or small retention pond serve the purpose well. But it’s also prohibited in many states. The thinking is that water should flow it’s natural course and only those with water rights have the right to disturb its course. But there are states, like Wyoming where …Read More about Ways to Capture Rainwater
The Difference Between Rainwater and Tap Water
It seems strange to say there is a difference between one water source and another. But environmental factors and the source of each water supply influence the chemical makeup. For the home gardener, it’s very important to know exactly what is in your water. The water you use, like all other inputs, should be as …Read More about The Difference Between Rainwater and Tap Water
Why Rain is Important
Water is essential to human survival. The plants we grow, the animals we raise, and the requirements of the human body to stay hydrated are all dependent on water…clean water. Rainwater fills streams, rivers, and lakes. It carries with it not only the potential for life but also a history of its own past. …Read More about Why Rain is Important