Well, I did NOT finish my #SolarPunk jobs list. But it's on my To Do list... Next week, I'll plan on focusing on #WaterStorage and #Reuse -- #Greywater, #Rainbarrels, #Cisterns, etc., since #Maine is still experiencing a #Drought (despite all the snow), and other places are as well. I know I'll be pestering our Town Manager about getting some rainbarrels and #GreenMachine composters at cost for the local residents.

Boosting some posts from yesterday. I hope you'll join us next #SolarPunkSunday!

[Image source: altered, decommidified screenshot from a Chobani commercial. Found via oneearth.org/solarpunk ]

Apparently chaotic gardening that is actually quite intentional:

We are digging the greywater channel deeper after adding a charcoal & rock base biofilter. This aims to reduce soil salting by minimizing water evaporation directly from the channel and forcing the water to be pulled *up* through the soil via the plant roots. Current seedlings in this basin are getting top water but when their roots can be expected to be slightly deeper they'll be left to only seek water from the saturated soil below. Initially I wanted to optimize for a proper floodplain but now I think intentionally incising the channel may be a strategy so long as matting roots can hold the bank against rains - we'll just have to see!

The squash mostly killed off by frost was pruned back, and the volunteer plants are frequently cut back and their stems used for mulch - you can see the slight mulch layer being built from vegetation in this site. The squash is trying to put on baby leaves again but the weather has been erratic so I'm fine if it just decomposes in place and doesn't come back, another round of beans, squash, and corn has been planted nearby and if the weather is conducive to getting a head start on the season we will have much more to harvest this fall.

The other side of the basin was seed blasted and is being mulched over with animal bedding and manure.

For this season this basin holds mostly cover crops sown for animal feed or milling, but when we can afford to we will be starting a series of trees in this basin to establish more permanent cover. Ultimately this will do more to avoid soil salting and nutrient loss, but for now simply establishing roots and working on soil restoration is a good start, especially where we can get a useful yield and bring down the cost to raise our animals.

#permaculture #earthworks #greywater #RanchoDeLaLibertad #Farming #SmallFarm #FoodSovereignty #NativeOwned #Indigenous #RegenerativeAg #Gardening

Where ‘#DayZeroDroughts’ could happen as soon as this decade

Story by Laura Paddison, September 23, 2025

Excerpt: "Cities are particularly at risk as booming populations increase demand on water resources already under pressure from #ClimateChange and mismanagement. Low-income communities are expected to be disproportionately affected, the study found.

"Some parts of the world, including the Mediterranean, southern Africa, Asia and Australia, are projected to endure more prolonged day-zero drought events with less time between each one, limiting their ability to recover, the report found. This can have devastating effects on agriculture and ecosystems, and for some particularly badly affected areas, it throws into question 'whether people might still be able to live there long term,' Franzke said.

The findings point to the clear need to speed up the clean energy transition, he said, as well as improve water management — huge amounts are wasted through leaky pipes, for example.

"The research should also guide industry, he added, pointing to the proliferation of water-guzzling #SemiconductorManufacturing and #DataCenters in water-stressed areas such as #Texas and #Arizona."

Read more:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/where-day-zero-droughts-could-happen-as-soon-as-this-decade/

#WaterIsLife #Rainbarrels #WaterManagement #GreywaterSystems #Greywater #Graywater #WaterConservation #NoWaterForAI #NoWaterForDatacenters #AISucks #ClimateChange #Drought #FossilFuels #DayZero

How Often Should You Wet Down Your #Compost Heap?

Compost needs more than rotting kitchen scraps to work well. It needs water, air, and a well-balanced ratio of organic matter. Wet down your compost heap as often as necessary to ensure it’s moist, aerated, and warm throughout the seasons.

by Jerad Bryant and Sarah Jay
Last updated: July 11, 2025

"Without water, compost will turn dry, brittle, and crumbly. It won’t contain tons of microbes and worms; it’ll be half of what it can be with regular watering. So, the question remains: how often should you wet down your compost heap?"

Learn more:
https://www.epicgardening.com/wet-compost-heap/

#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeGardening #Gardening #Compost #Composting #Greywater #WaterConservation #WaterIsLife #SoilIsLife

Why #Composting Is Essential During #Drought Conditions (includes tips on using #Graywater)

"Drought conditions change the fundamental dynamics of the composting process, creating unique challenges that require specific adaptations to maintain effective decomposition.

"During drought conditions, your compost pile will break down much slower than usual. The microorganisms and bacteria responsible for decomposition require moisture to function properly—with moisture levels below 40%, their activity dramatically decreases. This means kitchen scraps and yard waste that might decompose in 3-4 months could now take 6-8 months to fully break down. Without adequate moisture, fungi and bacteria simply can’t process organic materials efficiently.

"Maintaining adequate moisture becomes your biggest challenge during drought. Traditional composting guidance recommends a moisture content of 50-60%—about as damp as a wrung-out sponge. During drought, evaporation happens rapidly, with exposed compost piles losing 30-40% more moisture than normal. Your pile can quickly become too dry, entering a dormant state where beneficial microbes go inactive. This not only halts decomposition but also makes it harder to rehydrate the pile once conditions improve."

Learn more:
https://www.farmstandapp.com/19920/composting-during-drought-conditions/

#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeGardening #Gardening #Compost #Composting #Greywater #WaterConservation #WaterIsLife #SoilIsLife

So, someone suggested #Graywater / #Greywater as a topic for #SolarPunkSunday . I managed to find this article which has a lot of information!

How To Build A #DIY #GreywaterSystem (Complete Guide)

January 9, 2022 by Dylan Crosbie

"Welcome to our complete guide to building your #DIYGreywater system!

"A greywater system will decrease your carbon footprint, save water and decrease your utility bills. The system recycles water from your home and allows you to use it again for irrigation and flushing toilets.

"It can be a simple, low-tech system that will be cost-effective in the long run and lower your water usage by up to 40%.

"The best part? You can build it yourself!

"The following article will outline what you’ll need to build your greywater system. This guide has it all, from understanding how a greywater system works to breaking down the required materials!"

https://climatebiz.com/diy-greywater-system/

#SolarPunkSunday #WaterIsLife #ReduceReuse #ConservingWater