Ellanor Ellwood

Hi. I'm currently hand bucketing water water from my duck pond to my wetland filter, gravity feeds back to the duck pond. Thinking a pump run directly from a solar panel, no battery or inverter, to the wetland would make my life easier.

Can anyone recommend a inexpensive solar powered pump?

I can build a macro filter around the pumps inlet but there will still be microscopic poop bits, dirt, sand, so on in the water. The pond is 10 x 20 feet by 4 feet deep. The wetland filters are 3 bug garden trays of duck weed, and 2 old bathtubs with salmon berries in one, cattails in the other. The duck water is passed through the duck weed then the salmon berries, finally the cattails, gravity then feeds the water back to the pond.

Wondering if there is chufa plants or seed tuber available in Canada? The cultivated kind preferably. I'll be growing them in containers so they can't escape, also I can bring them inside if it gets too cold (zone 7b).

I'm looking into building myself a cabinet / small dishwasher size dehydrator for bulk drying vegetables and fruit. Also for experimenting with making sunchoke, squash, other random tuber flour. I live in the pacific northwest on the coast so solar drying won't work.

The hard part is figuring out the best way to heat it. I'm wondering if I can use a mini ceramic heater? Amazon has their Amazon basic mini ceramic heater that is cheap, comes with a fan and a temperature controller already. I'll add at least one other fan.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:Is there no way to run pipe to your existing septic system? From what I've heard, the Gulf Islands are now heavily regulated when it comes to sewage systems. Especially in areas where people have fresh water wells and are worried about contamination.

I think it's worth a discreet enquiry as to what types of systems are legal.

I live on Taxada island. No building codes, health inspectors, or regulations on private property, thankfully. Just regulations on where you can or can not discharge firearms or hunt.
No existing septic system, I've been using a compost toilet/basic grey water system for the last 6 years.

Hi. Question. I want to put in a trailer pad for extra rental income. Biggest barrier is what to do with the black water. I would like a way any renter could park their trailer hook up the waste water lines and keep using the facilities like normal, no thinking required.
  My property is basically a ridge of broken up bedrock with little to no soil, high percolation rate. Has anyone tried a large wet land system (1/2acre size or bigger) for treating black water?
  The wet land would be growing for me firewood, mulch, composting materials, livestock bedding, and small livestock forage.

Has anyone tried  growing plants out the side of a out doors compost toilet?

I want to raise meal worms for my chickens (and other poultry) but I can't find any wheat bran, either in small bags or bulk. Can't find bulk oats either, could meal worms be raised on white wheat flour?Anyone living Vancouver Island or sunshine coast (Canada) know of affordable bulk wheat bran for meal worms or a substitute bedding / food for them?

Has anyone tried growing pole beansor peas without a trellis?
I'm wondering if it would work as a ground cover in an around other vegetables. I grow bush beans around other plants but one plant only covers about 3 sq ft.

Anyone recommend a company / organization in BC Canada that tests soil for heavy metal contamination ?

I've  found tin cans, bits of wire, paint or oil cans, gears and a couple large soild pieces of mining / farm machines.
There is ocean spray growing on part of it, 6 large Douglas Firs on one edge, I can add lime to the soil. Hazelnuts I know don't mind growing under the Firs, as well as other natives, red alder grows anywhere with water. I just wondering about other trees.
Most importantly can lead , mercury, arsenic, etc  can travel from ground into plant and  into fruits, leaves and nuts? Maybe the last question is off topic for this subforum.