For the last ten years, we’ve been farming bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) around the place. It started when I planted a few seeds and gradually, they’ve bloomed and spread. Because I’m impatient, I also helped them along by mowing the plants after they had gone to seed and spreading the clippings to other parts of the ranch.
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The Solar Powered Rainwater Project began about eight months ago, although one might argue it is the culmination of my rainwater system dreams beginning in 2002.
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The solar-powered rainwater system was complete — except for more panels, and a cable to isolate the rainwater power from the rest of the system. Construction on the rainwater system began in 2002, when I trenched the various wires and pipes into the ground. I needed power for the rainwater system, and tapped into an underground wire originally intended to supply power to the well.
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With all the parts in stock, it was time to assemble the whole Solar Powered Rainwater Project. I cleaned out a space in the garden shed, and added plywood to the wall for attaching the various components. We would be mounting the inverter/charge controller, solar panel combiner/breakers, A/C transfer switch and related wiring.
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You may recall from an earlier post that the Solar Powered Rainwater Project requires substantial battery storage. In our original calculations, we decided we would need 15,796 watt/hours of storage to provide three days of autonomy (or days without sun).
Continue reading →In an earlier post, I alluded to “bins” or “pens” That I constructed in the greenhouse. Something of a cross between a raised bed and a giant pot, these miniature gardens are very efficient, and easy to construct. Here’s how: … Continue reading →
The greenhouse has been in operation for a couple of months now, and beginning to show some results. Since this is my first real experience with one, I’m learning as I go along, and there are some surprises along the … Continue reading →
Saturday dawned clear and warm. The perfect day for completing the greenhouse! I had a nearly square frame to use for the foundation, done the previous weekend, and now it was time to level the ground and anchor the frame. … Continue reading →
One of the problems we have periodically here in the Hill Country are hard freezes. Given the length and heat of the summers, it’s a surprise to some and it catches many off-guard. Folks with tropical plants in their gardens … Continue reading →