S. Marshall

r ransom wrote:

Touching soil, I would want to put something between the soil and the insulation to protect both soil and extend the life of the insulation.  

Do you or anyone else know what people typically use?  Thick poly plastic?  That, of course, is just more of the plastic.  But not sure what people have settled on over the years,.

Yes, they are 2".  Some are a bit sloppy, but I've got a good stockpile.

I've already started around the foundation with corrugated metal on top.  I live on a steep slope so in the back of my house the foundation was exposed 4' above the grade.  I didn't both to go below grade there, but it already made a big difference in my basement.  In the front I'm getting about 2' feet underground with the XPS and steel.  I'm guessing the steel will eventually get eaten away (decades?).  

Is there advice on how far down you need to protection from the critters?  I'm hoping to excavate down in the greenhouse so I'll be aware the shielding on the backside facing the soil will be at different heights than the front -- so long as they are tight together to not let the critters between panels.

I got a massive deal on XPR from facebook marketplace - 100x 4x4 sheets for $200 recycled from a milk barn.  Still in decent shape.   I know it's been used in climate batteries for awhile - at least I thought so, and was wondering if people were changing opinions on these.  

It's def used in building construction like crazy.  And I also know all good things come to an end.  Just wanted to hear your opinions and you didn't let down.  thanks

Hi, I'm asking here because I'm sure many of you, particularly those with climate battery setups, use underground around the perimeter.   Are there any concerns with XPS being in contact with the earth regarding chemicals leeching out, or contaminating the soil by the XPS breaking down?  

I am interesting in installing a climate battery system but I am also currently adding XPS around the perimeter foundation of my house.  I hate plastics, but need something more efficient than organic materials.  I.E. I don't have the ability to use hay or anything unsightly.  I would prefer to stick to the question about using XPS and if there are any cautions others have based on experience.  thanks

Hi, I don't have any expert advice, but my Luvage grows just as vigorous as my comfrey where I live.  Both dry out with lack of water.  But I can't imagine why it wouldn't be a great source of green manure.

I've had a long time nagging question about Comfrey Bocking 14.  Does anyone know specifically why it is sterile? --  I ask because I've noticed the flowers on my bocking 14 comfrey are always covered in bees but it looks like none of them are actually getting any pollen or nectar.  When I examine the flowers it appears they don't have any?  Is that why it's sterile?  I've never seen non-bocking 14 comfrey so I'm not sure if I'm wrong.  I hate to think these bees arew wasting so much time/energy for nothing, ha

Xcel is cutting off my power in 15 min.  Guess I live near the servers!

Wow, hearing how the Kiwi could use 1-2 meters separation is quite worrisome.  I may need to stick to the Virginia Creeper and maybe that is going to be too problematic as well.  My cattle panel is only 5" away from the siding.  I had hoped the canopy would be so dense that nothing could grown underneath it (leaving the siding free from vines).  

Am I highly mistaken?

Anne Miller wrote:We have a forum dedicated to Kiwi so it cant be all that bad.

Hi Anne!  Didn't I post this in the Kiwi forum!?  I thought I did!?  

It says Forum:Kiwi at the top of my webpage, but please let me know if for some reason I'm confused.  Thanks

I live in dry Colorado at 8000' elevation (zone 4).  I installed cattle panel suspended 5" away from my house cedar siding - facing south east and south west.   I want to train vines to shade the side of my house.  One section already has 2 year old Virginia Creeper.  I'm ready to cut anything back if this goes awry.  

I bought Meader Actinidia (2 female, 1 male).  Then I say this Edible Acres video where he warns of how destructive Kiwi can get and urges not to place near your home.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GSH0xH7Ug4

Of course he is in a wet climate and I'm not sure mine would grow this aggressively.  

I'm ready to commit these Kiwi's to a different area if people think this is a bad idea.  In addition he says how cattle panel can't hold up to the weight these Kiwi's get!?!  I'm ready to build a different frame with posts and/or EMT conduit if the weight is really that much an issue - in an entirely new location or against the house like my original intention.

Does anyone have advise for me?  Thanks!

Anne Miller wrote:This article has some suggested plants
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Thanks!