Briana Great

pollinator
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since Apr 04, 2019
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Biography
Cascadia, mother of 4, current Permaculture level 3.5 hoping to be a 6+.  Working on SKIP and hope to stay in PNW.  We have chickens, 5 small hugel beds (2.5' high by 5-7' long, by 4' wide), 2 apple trees producing ( grapes, Raspberries (40 linear feet), moving into rabbits.  My husband now telecommutes so this opens our options for where we can live.
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Western Washington
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Recent posts by Briana Great

Its a well drained spot - so while it gets lots of water in winter, it isn't usually marshy.  I'm moving it from an area about 20 feet away, so very similar.  I'll try grabbing seeds and overseeding!
1 month ago
I have a lot of plantain where I don't want it.  I want to grow some in an area near my pee-spot for TP.

Has anyone tried moving or planting plantain?
Or other recommendations for plants for zone 8 pee-spot?
1 month ago
Hello!  I am in Washington State, too!  It really depends on what county you are in.  

The reality is most counties will try to force you to connect to sewer.  And only allow a septic if that's not an option.  BUT:  How do they know yours is failing?  Can you find a work around?  

You can absolutely have a septic connected - and not use it.  I have a friend who lives off grid in another state.  Was required to install a septic tank on his earthen "Dwelling Space" and just doesn't use the septic.  Uses a composting toilet instead.  Catches all the greywater and diverts it.  

Can you simply install a compositing toilet and begin diverting your greywater?  Maybe allowing your septic to rest will help it heal (Maybe?  I don't know.)  But if you use alternative methods anyway, it won't really matter.
1 month ago
Come to SkIP and learn to strip!  

I think my new Permies Name is Butterfly Butt.
1 month ago
To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
  - only natural and nontoxic cleaners and polishes

To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must provide proof of the following with pictures (or a video < 2 mins long):
  - before, during, and after of deep cleaning and polishing a stainless steel sink
  - show and describe what you cleaned and polished the stainless steel sink with
  - demonstrate it meets the above stated requirements

I'm at SKIP 2024 and realized the communal sink was dirty enough to clean and document!  This made a chore more exciting.  So I used the dishwater to clean the sink.  The soap used, purchased by Paul Wheaton, is not their normal soap but what was provided.  It's not what I use at home so I cannot attest to its naturalness, but it's what is being used at Wheaton Labs so I'm operating on the assumption it's clean.  It's website is https://fullcirclemarketbrand.com/product/full-circle-market-free-clear-dish-soap-25-oz/
1 month ago
- one picture of direct peeing on moist soil around a urine loving plant and what the urine loving plant is
- OR two pictures: one of urine being diluted and one of mixture being given to plants

Willow Feeding at Wheaton Labs!  Literally feeding a willow.
To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must:
- post two pics of clothes being washed
- post pic of clothes being dried (needs to show it hanging or lying out to dry)
- post pic of clothes folded

*note: the green skirt is 100% cotton, and is stored twisted like a yarn skein.  This is it "folded" =)
1 month ago
To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
- drop 6” to 8” live tree with a chainsaw

To document your completion of the BB, provide the following as pics or video (<2 min):
- your chosen tree
- tree with the wedge/notch cut
- tree on the ground
- measure across the stump showing diameter

I chose a tree that was distressed, in am area overgrown.  This tree was zig-zagged, so using a Timber Tool greatly helped ensuring safety and direction of fall.  I asked an Expert to oversee this, who checked both my escape path and advised my notch direction, but I did all the work.  I wouldn't have left as big of a hinge without that advice, and I'm thrilled to see how well it worked.  A Timber Tool is a great investment and will be high on my priorities after this experience.
1 month ago
More fun stuff!  

I came prepared for smoke.  I have sensitive lungs and knew I'd be outside a lot more than I could normally prevent, so I brought masks. I'm glad, too, because the AQI was over 100 for a while.  So in some pictures I am supporting my lung health by wearing a disposable mask.  If you have a better solution, PM me please!
1 month ago
Your chosen tree
- Tree with the wedge/notch cut
- Tree on the ground
- Measurement across the stump showing diameter

I chose a tree in a copse of other trees that was struggling - not a lot of limbs, other healthier trees around, fairly dense.  I used a Silky Katanaboy 500 which is a cuts-on-the-pull style that I found much easier than a bow saw.  After cutting the notch, I anchored the timber tool (my first ever time using it!) then cut the back cut.

*Edit: Jeremy - the tree is standing and alive in the first two pictures.
1 month ago