Excavation

This past weekend some friends came out to see the place and help at the farm. They planted oak trees on the north side and we had a bonfire. Thank you! We didn't quite get around to pounding tires. . The next day we had a local, Jean, come out and excavate around the house. We are going to retrofit for our thermal wrap (earthship uber insulation from earth-rammed tires and foam insulation combined)!

The Earthship books talk about some retrofitted building experiments heating up just from a laptop or body heat in the winter. We are beginning to plan for some cooling earth tubes as well. We got the west, north, and east sides excavated and weatherproofed with plastic and something like tar. The greenhouse goes on the south side, eventually.

Plastic may not be the most sustainable product but, one step at a time. A house bermed into the earth will save many things but may be susceptible to water in areas with a high rainfall/water table (as we have already experienced with this moldy house). The plastic will help protect our time investment and resources as a water barrier.

We re-routed the gutters to rain barrels (scavenged large containers from around the farm) for watering the plants, and just to keep the water from falling right next to the house. Then we washed the grime off and went out to a nice dinner for our six month wedding anniversary!