Sonia Johnson

Thanks, Carolyn. I won't be able to make it to this one, but I joined the group.

Sonia

Hi Chris,

I just saw this today. I'm in Carson City. It's always nice to see locals with permiculture interests. The legumes I have so far are Siberian Pea Tree and some Honey Locust. I collected some Black Locust seed and intend to see if I can get those to grow. Comfrey grows here too, but everything has to have supplemental water, including the trees. I want to do some swales and see if that helps, but I don't think they'll completely eliminate the need for irrigation. We just don't get enough water most years.

I'd like to get a graywater system going, but I just don't have the time and energy to do everything I'd like!

Sonia

Thanks for the reply -- I haven't set up my system yet, but have been wanting to for several years, and reading up on it. Project this spring/summer is to get the system running and build a greenhouse over it before the first frosts hit in Sept/Oct. I will be doing fodder, too -- I did some experiments last year, and just started it up again. Hopefully the greenhouse project will get accomplished and I'll be able to grow year-round.

I just thought of the willow idea today. I have a small stand of brush willow on my property which supplements my feed supply during the summer, and it occurred to me that it might work well in an aquaponics system. I definitely want to give it a try. (Unless someone with experience tells me it's a terrible/impractical idea! )

Thanks for the feedback,
Sonia

Has anyone tried growing willow in an aquaponic system for use as goat feed? I'm going to be setting up a system this spring, and that's one thing I'd like to try (with hay prices approaching $20/bale here!) I'm thinking half barrels, with lengths of willow cuttings submerged horizontally so they send up shoots.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Sonia