Homestead mailing list

["Chris Clarke" <hstead AT nc.rr.com>]

>> Chris Clarke wrote:
>> Happy New Year's folks,
>> 
>> This is the year that I build a nice woodshed.  Here in the south,
you 
>> really need more than just a tarp covering the wood if you really
want 
>> to get it dried out.  I am thinking about 16' wide, maybe 8' deep.  
>> Two 5x12x1.5 foot rows, with a good amount of room in between.
>> Slatted sides to allow ventilation.   Question is, do I add power for
>> a floodlight and a ceiling fan?
>> 
>> Chris Clarke
>> 
>> Still here in Apex, NC... now more suburban than ever...

Bev wrote:
>Hi Chris, good to see you again..

Good to hear from you as well.   I am a bit crazed when it comes to
wood.
For years, I couldn't light a fire.  No matter what I did, it would
sputter
smoke and then smolder out...  Good thing I didn't need it for anything
other than enjoyment.  Then, I learned the secret.  Anyone can make a
fire.
All you need is REALLY DRY WOOD...  Easy to do in the west, but harder
than heck here in the east.  I too use a tarp, which is OK, but it is
hard
to get any ventilation under it.   Area it sits on (like most of
clay-filled
property called soil) is wet when it rains.  Off the ground works, but I

think that completely covered but with a breeze, and a complete summer
(6
months) all but the most wet White Oak will be ready to burn.

Found out that 16x8 would require a building permit and 12x12 concrete
pad
would cost a bundle ($1200).  Think I will go really cheap with some
footers
and gravel for the surface.  Maybe even go with plastic pipes and clear
plastic cover for a year...  

What I really need to do is regrade the (small) lot. Next time, I will 
look VERY closely at drainage.

Have fun!

Chris