Kyle's Permie Bootcamp (BRK)

Cindy Haskin wrote:Please identify the broad leaved plants that are on both sides. I'm going to guess either mullein or comfrey. Thanks in advance.

It is comfrey and I was going to comment on how it can be a part in increasing soil life.  Take full advantage of its moisture content when chopping it by pounding it down with dry material and preferably compost it with worms.  Worms are a good vector for transferring bacteria and  fungus through out the soil.

You are right Cindy, they are comfrey. I've trimmed the lower, larger leaves to encourage them to grow taller.

BRK Post 98

We made a long day out of our day off. About fifteen of us got up early and drove over to Missoula for the farmers market.

Most of the veggie growers had late spring crops but there were a few vendors with other things for sale.

I got some Chestnut mushrooms and a big block of sawdust myceliated with Lions Mane. And I walked around with this ten pound cube with a big smile.

We came back with a big haul of veggies for this week's meals. Then went for a swim in the river. It is still on the cold side but it is very refreshing to be in the water.

Patrick and a bunch of helpers made a huge dinner for everyone. Patrick brought lamb he raises and wheat from his own land. Everything was great.

I spent the last hour and a half walking the upper slopes of basecamp getting some observation time in. I might have found some soil that has some fungal threads in it, I'll need to test it. Most everything else was thin, poor dirt over rock. It's going to be a challenge to design this site.

BRK Post 99

Today was all about Earthworks. What they are, how to make them, different types, when to use them and when not to.

It was a good day for it too. I brainstormed with a group on how to make ponds work here on the site. We are seriously trying to find solutions rather than just draw on a map and make believe it would work out. We want to plan for greywater systems, irrigation, berms, and much more. And find uses for all the rock that will inevitably pile up.

Over in the garden, I'm getting the first strawberries ripen and the saskatoons are getting a blue blush and it shouldn't be too long before they are ready. Also I noticed the big mushroom that popped up last week has spored and more is getting munched on by a bunch of beetles. Pretty cool.

BRK Post 100 (Woot!)

Alan hammered out Humid Tropics and Dryland Strategies today. Most of it isn't directly applicable to our design here but there was a few examples for arid regions that were very helpful.

We are putting more thought and time into our designs. After dinner my group walked the site for over two hours taking note of the slopes and bouncing ideas off of each other.

I drew out a base map to work off of, I'm going to try to copy it and have multiples to scribble on. There are a few more details I want to get down bit it is largely complete.