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livingontheland - Re: [Livingontheland] Looking for advice on a few topics

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Subject: Healthy soil and sustainable growing

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Chronological Thread  
  • From: mtncats@planetcomm.net
  • To: "Healthy soil and sustainable growing" <livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] Looking for advice on a few topics
  • Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 18:53:55 -0400

Hi Diane,

The secret of controlling ground, or buried room, temperature is to insulate
from air temperature. Rigid extruded polystyrene works very well (pink or
blue by manufacturer) with 6 mil sheet plastic to control ground water
movement. Your well water temperature will be a good estimate of ground
temperature at depth. Closer to the surface, air temps will greatly change
ground temps. That's why you want insulation.

We live in an underground house, with insulation to keep the ground temps
isolated from air temps. Works very well, but our design hovers around 71º
(± 6º), comfortable people temp. If your well temp is adequate, all you need
is to isolate your cellar from air temps. If you want colder, you need to
also cool down your dirt with winter air.

Using a scythe is mostly a matter of rhythm. Takes some practice. If you've
got a European scythe, the blade is intended to be hammered as part of the
sharpening process. American hardware store scythes won't benefit much from
hammering. All you need is a stone to carry. Take a water break and use
your stone. Sharper is better (duh). There are different blades for
different work, but until you're proficient, it won't matter much. If handle
length is a problem, you can order a new scythe for your physique. Serious
uses generally migrate to a European model with a handle sized for them. I
haven't yet.

Tom (in central Va)


On 7/21/06 at 2:04 PM Dianne Palmer-Quay wrote in part:

>Finally, does anyone know anything about root cellar type storage in the
>South? My crawl space is about 74 degrees now (outside highs are the upper
>90's) which is where I am storing the surplus potatoes and winter squash
>from this year's garden. But that temperature is too warm (according to
>the books). Any ideas how I could create a cooler space without a
>refrigeration device?
>
>I have been
>gardening here in this sand over clay soil for 6 years and the soil is
>looking good in much of the garden, but I want to get more efficient at
>using cover crops and green manures (and how to use a scythe!).
>
>Dianne in SC
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