Ashley Phelps

A lot of natural building tends to be great for dry climates. I’m looking for more information on climates like Northern VT. All suggestions to books, experience, info, websites would be appreciated! :)

I'm currently an Earthship "student" and plan on completing my field studies this summer in Reno NV. I also have begun some plans to build an Earthship in VT/NH. I'm reaching out to other Earthship builders, Earth builders with questions about tweaking an Earthship Inspired structure for Freezing Climates. Especially since our frost line is at Five feet, and during the coldest months we may have cloudy skies for three straight weeks at a time.

So some of my concerns are:
Harvesting Water over the winter
-Insulating Cistern or carrying it under the frostline?
-Snow harvesting?
-Are Glycol tube systems in gutters all they are cracked up to be?

How the frost line will effect the Thermal Mass and Passive Annual Heat storage?

Vapor barrier exteneding under the house?
Burnt Course of Tires ramed with gravel vs dirt?
Possibly insulating under floor, would it help or actually hurt PAHS?


I appreciate your thoughts any suggestions!:)
-Ash

I want to piggy back on this conversation and ask about polycultures with Ramps, Ostrich and king Ferns, yarrow, tea berry, gooseberry, huckleberry, mulberry, wild ginger and since i read the above post maybe some loofahs . If any body has some ideas, recommendations on some pairings i'd appreciate the advice. I was thinking about planting mostly from seed for all of these but I would also appreciate some advice on that as well. I know some maybe better to propagate differently. I'm also open to all different kids of berries but wonder which species will still have an abundant yield under the pine trees and would do well with which.

I'm also wondering if these perennials would grow well in or on the edge of the pine forest?
-Groundnut, Good King Henry, Lovage, Rhubarb, Sorrel, Violet "Rebbecca", Chicory, wild grapes
any recommendations on strains and polycultures?

I have a large old pine forest cupped around our house.  Most of the Pine's green limbs begin well above our two story house in the N.E.K of Vermont. So there is a lot of dapple light. I think they are White pines. We also have a bit of Birch amongst them with a few Maples. On the western slope between the house and pine forest we have a huge maple tree. Ive heard Ostrich ferns grow best under maples? We also have some hostas, bleeding hearts growing in the forest. We are a zone four with slight slopes facing east west and south. On the slope that is south face we have a carpet of moss growing on the ground floor.

Thank you in advance for the help, and i hope this is an okay first post.
Looking forward to hear your thoughts,
-Ash