permaculture

[Lee Flier <lflier@mindspring.com>]

OK, I know how much Permies enjoy a challenge, so here's one:

I have a friend in Nevada who will shortly be getting some acreage in the
middle of the Mojave Desert.  I know, he's nuts.  Don't ask me why.
Anyhow, they want to build a strawbale house although they will consider
other alternatives (adobe brick comes to mind).  They want passive "air
conditioning" and want the house to be as energy and water independent as
possible.

Anyhow, my friend claims they get 2-4" of annual rainfall there!  I wonder,
1) is there a chance in hell they can supply their water without having to
dig a well? And what the heck can they grow there?  I know having some
trees around the house would cool it and keep moisture from evaporating,
but what kinda trees could even deal with that climate, if any?  Any
suggestions for edibles that could be grown in that area.

Well, the water is the big question, but any input from some of you desert
rats out there on independent living in the dryest of the drylands, would
be appreciated.

Thanks,
Lee


***********************************************************************
Lee A. Flier                            
lflier@mindspring.com                   
http://lflier.home.mindspring.com       
Atlanta and Ellijay, Georgia, U.S.A.    

"My excuse for venturing across disciplines, continents, and centuries is
that the world extends across disciplines, continents, and centuries.
Nothing in nature is quite so separate as two mounds of expertise."  -
Marvin Harris