A Permaculture Design Report

1
GATEWOOD HOMESTEAD:
A Permaculture Design Report
Prepared for Bob Waldrop, Sean Kay, and the Oscar Romero Catholic Worker House
community, by Bob Waldrop. Submitted to Dan Hemenway, Barking Frogs
Permaculture, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for certification.
© 2008 Bob Waldrop
All rights reserved. This design may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form
without permission of the copyright holder. The designer, Bob Waldrop, hereby grants a
license to the client, Bob Waldrop, and his heirs, to execute this design on the property
he owns in Oklahoma City.
This version has been modified slightly from the original version submitted for
certification: (1) client survey removed, (2) font size adjusted, (3) re-paginated, (4) new
indices and index were generated to support this version.
This work was prepared and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
certification through the Online Permaculture Design Course offered by Barking Frogs
Permaculture. So even though this design is for my own property, I wrote it as if I was a
third party designing for someone else.
More information about the BFPC Online PDC, and the new Online Permaculture
Design Clinic, which are offered each year beginning in the fall, is online at
www.barkingfrogspermaculture.org . Bob Waldrop may be contacted at
bwaldrop@cox.net .
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Table of Contents
Table of Figures................................
Figures ................................................................
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....................................12
.... 12
List of Tables ................................................................
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........................................14
........ 14
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................
................................................................................................
.......................................................................
.......................................15
....... 15
1.1 Clients ................................................................
................................................................................................
............................................................................
............................................16
............ 16
1.2 Site description ................................................................
...............................................................................................
...............................................................18
............................... 18
1.3 Community ................................................................
................................................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................24
..... 24
2.0 DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................
...................................................................................
...................................................26
................... 26
2.1 Earth Works and Nutrient Management ...........................................................
...........................................................27
........................... 27
2.1.1 Earth Works 27
Soil 1 Build retaining walls at the curbs, raise the level of the yard closest to
the retaining walls and shape the soil levels so that the ground slopes towards
the center of each yard section that is west of the north-south public sidewalk.
...................................................................................................................... 27
Soil 2 Build a swale and berm system in front of the house. ......................... 29
Soil-3 Build retaining walls west and north of the house. .............................. 31
2.1.2 Nutrient Management ................................................................
...................................................................................
...................................................33
................... 33
Soil-4 Replace Bermuda grass with other ground covers.............................. 33
Soil-5 Mulch areas not planted to ground cover. ........................................... 33
Soil-6 Convert an old bathtub into a vermiculture project. ............................. 33
Soil 7 Compost in place................................................................................. 34
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Soil 8 Grow additional compost/green manure crops. .................................. 35
Soil-9 Plant cover crops that boost soil fertility. ............................................. 36
2.1.3 Food Production................................
Production ................................................................
...........................................................................................
...........................................................37
........................... 37
Food-1 Increase the area for food production. .............................................. 37
Food 2 Re-work the growing beds in the garden area west of the house. .... 38
Food 3 Use all of the growing season. ......................................................... 40
Food 4 Make a plant spacing grid. ............................................................... 40
Food 5 Use companion planting techniques. ................................................ 40
Food 6 Grow crops vertically to increase production in your limited space. . 40
Food 7 Use your sun porch as a greenhouse............................................... 40
Food 8 Make cold frames to increase winter food production. ...................... 41
Food 9 Preserve heirloom plants and save seeds......................................... 41
Food 10 Increase production of food producing legumes.............................. 41
Food 11 Increase your production of multiplying onions, shallots and
Egyptian onions............................................................................................. 41
Food 12 Plant and cook alternatives to summer squash .............................. 42
Food 13 Keep good garden records. ............................................................ 42
Food 14 Add more perennial food/useful plants to the garden. ..................... 42
Food 15 Learn good pruning and grafting techniques. .................................. 42
Food 16 Make improvements to the fruit tree area north of the house. ......... 42
4
Food 17 Increase production south of the storage building. .......................... 42
Food 18 Use the perimeter of the property for food production. .................... 44
Food 19 Build more vertical growing structures............................................ 44
Food 20 Plant a medicinal garden................................................................. 45
Food 21 Monitor the shade cast by the perimeter hedge. ............................. 46
Food 22 Build a planter box by the sunspace................................................ 46
Food 23 Make a container garden on the driveway....................................... 46
Food 24 Create a greenhouse/fish culture system in the storage building. .. 47
2.1.4 Food processing and storage
49
Cook 1 Build an outdoor kitchen and deck. ................................................... 49
Cook 2 Build a root cellar/tornado shelter. .................................................... 50
Cook 3 Get the equipment you need for food processing and preservation. . 52
Cook 4 Build a solar food dryer. .................................................................... 53
Cook 5 Create a food preparation area in the kitchen. .................................. 53
Cook 6 Create more food storage places. ..................................................... 54
2.1.5 Human Excreta Management.
54
Waste 1 Use urine as fertilizer. ..................................................................... 54
Waste 2 Build a chopped straw toilet. ........................................................... 54
2.2 Shelter ................................................................
................................................................................................
............................................................................
............................................55
............ 55
2.2.1 The house
55
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Shelter 1 Develop better accommodations for guests and travelers ............. 55
Shelter 2 Decorate walls with musical instruments. ...................................... 55
Shelter 3 Don’t tear out the natural gas chimneys and fireplaces.................. 55
Shelter 4 Plan for meetings and acquire suitable equipment........................ 55
Shelter 5 Enclose the front porch. ................................................................. 56
2.2.2 The storage building 56
Shelter 6 Repair the Storage Building Roof with an eco-friendly roofing
material. ........................................................................................................ 56
Shelter 7 Renovate the porch and exterior of the storage building. ............... 56
2.2.3 Privacy Improvements
56
Shelter 8 Reinforce your perimeter hedge..................................................... 57
Shelter 9 Build a fence to connect the house and the storage building. ........ 57
Shelter 10 Build a front gate. ......................................................................... 58
2.3 Access ................................................................
................................................................................................
............................................................................
............................................59
............ 59
Access 1 Choose more eco-friendly methods of travel ................................. 59
Access 2 Refurbish the electric assist bicycle and purchase an adult trike. .. 59
Access 3 Bicycle route to Bob's work ............................................................ 59
2.4 Energy ................................................................
................................................................................................
............................................................................
............................................61
............ 61
2.4.1 Passive heating and cooling
61
Energy 1 Do a Home Energy Audit of the house. .......................................... 61
6
Energy 2 Learn how to operate your passive solar heating and cooling
systems. ........................................................................................................ 61
Energy 3 Install grills to facilitate ventilation and heat transmission .............. 61
Energy 4 Grow more summer shade............................................................. 62
Energy-5 Create shade for the solar sun porch. ........................................... 63
Energy 6 Make some improvements to the house's insulation. ..................... 63
Energy 7 Use area rugs in the winter. ........................................................... 63
Energy 8 Make R-20 insulating shutters for the windows. ............................ 64
Energy 9 Trim the elm tree to allow more winter sunlight to shine on the sun
porch. ............................................................................................................ 66
Energy 10 Optimize the efficiency of your solar sun porch............................ 66
2.4.2 Wood stove 67
Energy 11 Follow important wood stove safety recommendations to protect
the household................................................................................................ 67
Energy 12 Harvest wood from your lot and neighborhood............................. 68
Energy 13 Move the wood storage................................................................ 68
2.4.3 The Storage Building
69
Energy 14 Build an alternative energy system for lights in the storage building.
...................................................................................................................... 69
2.4.4 Materials Cycling and Waste Management
70
Energy 15 Create a materials cycling center in the utility room. .................... 70
7
Energy 16 Place additional materials cycling containers in areas of high use.
...................................................................................................................... 70
2.4.5 Other Energy Issues 70
Energy 17 Monitor appliances' energy consumption ..................................... 70
Energy 18 Improve the household's laundry arrangements. ......................... 70
Energy 19 Install a solar hot water system. ................................................... 71
Energy 20 Recharge small batteries with solar power................................... 71
2.5 Water................................
Water ................................................................
................................................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................73
.............. 73
Water 1 Install a rainwater harvesting and storage system. .......................... 73
Water 2 Develop an appropriate gray water recovery system. ...................... 78
Water 3 Find the hand pump wells in the neighborhood................................ 79
Water 4 Develop a household water purification system............................... 79
Water 5 Use water pots or jugs in the ground to water plants. ..................... 79
Water 6 Install a "speed bump" on the driveway to intercept water run-off and
direct it into the yards. ................................................................................... 79
Water 7 Build a pond between the storage building and the water tanks. .... 80
2.6 Community ................................................................
................................................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................81
..... 81
2.6.1 Markets, job opportunities
81
Market 1 Develop a contingency plan if one or both of the household's "day
jobs" go away. ............................................................................................... 81
2.6.2 Implementation skills available for hire or barter. 81
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Barter 1 Trade skills to save money on renovation........................................ 81
2.6.3 Material resources for design implementation and management
81
2.7 Economics ................................................................
................................................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................82
..... 82
Budget 1 Increase your monthly principal payments in order to pay off your
debts in an accelerated manner. ................................................................... 82
2.7.1 Budget and narrative ................................................................
....................................................................................
....................................................82
.................... 82
2.7.2 Analysis of on-site income potential
87
Econ 1 Make and sell artistic rosaries. .......................................................... 87
Econ 2 Sell plants that are not normally available from local distributors. ..... 87
Econ 3 Present "Applying Permaculture Design Principles in the Kitchen"
workshops as a source of income. ................................................................ 88
Econ 4 Make bulgur wheat and sell it through the coop. ............................... 88
2.8 Hazards ................................................................
................................................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................89
.......... 89
2.8.1 Tornadoes and straight-line windstorms
89
Hazard 1 Build a tornado shelter/root cellar .................................................. 89
Hazard 2 Update your tornado contingency plans pending the construction of
the tornado shelter. ....................................................................................... 89
2.8.2 Lightning
89
Hazard 3 Maintain your Uninterruptible Power System ................................. 89
Hazard 4 Suspend outdoor activities when lightning is present..................... 89
2.8.3 Fire
90
9
Hazard 5 Acquire additional emergency equipment ...................................... 90
2.8.5 Interruption in regular food supplies.
90
Hazard 7 Support your local food system...................................................... 90
Hazard 8 Store 2 year's supply of food.......................................................... 90
2.8.6 Fuel storage (wood and propane) 90
Hazard 9 Store at least two cords of wood. ................................................... 90
Hazard 10 Store propane. ............................................................................. 91
2.8.7 Severe cold, blizzards, ice storms 91
Hazard 11 Prepare properly for winter travel................................................. 91
2.8.9 Loss or contamination of the city water supply
91
Hazard 13 Increase your household water storage. ...................................... 91
2.8.10 Falling tree limbs
91
Hazard 14 Trim limbs that threaten the property. .......................................... 92
2.8.11 Interruption of Centrally Generated/Grid Distributed Electric Power. 92
Hazard 15 Maintain a basic non-grid dependent electricity backup.............. 92
2.9 Staging ................................................................
................................................................................................
...........................................................................
...........................................93
........... 93
YEAR I: The Year of Getting Ready
YEAR II: The Year of Growing
103
YEAR III: The Year of Water
108
YEAR IV: The Underground
110
93
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YEAR V: The Final Touches
111
3.0 APPENDICES ................................................................
................................................................................................
........................................................................
........................................114
........ 114
Appendix 3.1 Client survey................................
survey................................................................
..................................................................................
..................................................114
.................. 114
Appendix 3.2 Resources (places to get info and skills support) ............................115
............................ 115
Appendix 3.3 Suppliers ................................................................
.......................................................................................
.......................................................119
....................... 119
Appendix 3.4 References ................................................................
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....................................................126
.................... 126
Appendix 3.5 Species lists ................................................................
..................................................................................
..................................................128
.................. 128
Appendix 3.6 12 years of climate info on rainfall, wind, and temperature ..............140
.............. 140
Appendix 3.7 Existing features of the property. ....................................................
....................................................155
.................... 155
Appendix 3.8: Notes on the social and economic history of the region. .................156
................. 156
Appendix 3.9 Bus route information ................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................158
..... 158
Appendix 3.10 Resources and plans to assist in implementing this design ...........159
........... 159
Appendix 3.10.1 Food storage list 160
Appendix 3.10.2 Suggested Mulch Materials
162
Appendix 3.10.3 List of recommended food processing and preserving equipment
163
Appendix 3.10.4 Oklahoma Extension publications on home gardens.
164
Appendix 3.10.5 Oklahoma Extension publications on pruning trees
165
Appendix 3.10.6 Notes on building trellises.
166
Appendix 3.11 Calculations for determining heat loss through walls and the benefit
from various levels of insulation.................................
insulation.................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................168
.......... 168
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Appendix 3.12 Ideas for Community Involvement ................................................
................................................169
................ 169
Develop urban permaculture demonstration sites. ...................................... 169
Use your memberships, leadership roles, and community contacts to involve
your community in permaculture. ................................................................ 169
Support the local food system. .................................................................... 169
Host teams of students for "alternative spring break" programs. ................. 169
Assist gardeners in low income areas. ........................................................ 169
Develop an "Applying Permaculture Principles in Kitchen Designs" workshop.
.................................................................................................................... 170
Appendix 3.13 Soil Test Reports ................................................................
.........................................................................
.........................................171
......... 171
Appendix 3.15 Book List ................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................173
..................... 173
General ....................................................................................................... 173
Shelter, Energy, Material/Resource Cycling................................................ 173
Growing, Eating, Preserving, Brewing, Household...................................... 174
Design for Health ........................................................................................ 177
Local Economics ......................................................................................... 178
Appendix 3.16 Index ................................................................
...........................................................................................
...........................................................179
........................... 179
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Table of Figures
Figure 1: Bob Waldrop (left), Sean Kay (right) .............................................................. 16
Figure 2: Base Map ....................................................................................................... 19
Figure 3: House Base Map............................................................................................ 20
Figure 4: West of house, looking north.......................................................................... 21
Figure 5: From front porch, looking north ..................................................................... 21
Figure 6, Looking east across front yard ...................................................................... 22
Figure 7: View from the south at front yard of storage building and sun porch of the
house.................................................................................................................. 22
Figure 8: Sun porch...................................................................................................... 23
Figure 9: Front view of the storage building plus south end of house ........................... 23
Figure 10: Full view of west side of house..................................................................... 24
Figure 11: Location of the retaining walls west of the house along McKinley Street. ... 29
Figure 12:Map showing location of berm south of the east-west public sidewalk on the
contour line. ........................................................................................................ 30
Figure 13: Swale and channels north of east-west public sidewalk.............................. 31
Figure 14:Location of the west side retaining wall along the house side of the northsouth public sidewalk.......................................................................................... 32
Figure 15: Location and depiction of vermiculture project. ............................................ 34
Figure 16: Additional growing areas. ............................................................................. 37
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Figure 17: A sample plan for the intensive garden area using keyhole and circular beds.
........................................................................................................................... 39
Figure 18: Yard with water tanks and garden beds. ...................................................... 43
Figure 19: Location of new arbors. ................................................................................ 45
Figure 20: Location and floor plan of summer kitchen................................................... 50
Figure 21: Location of cellar. ......................................................................................... 51
Figure 22: Location of fence, cellar, and new courtyard sitting area. ............................ 58
Figure 23: Locations for ventilation grills. ...................................................................... 62
Figure 24 Location for storing sun porch shutters. ....................................................... 66
Figure 27: New location of clothesline.......................................................................... 71
Figure 28: Base map showing water tanks (blue circles). ............................................. 74
Figure 29: Location of water storage tanks north of house........................................... 78
Figure 30:General design of arbors with side details for summer kitchen arbor and
house and storage building arbors ................................................................... 167
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List of Tables
Table 1 Budget……………………………………………
82
Table 2 Year 1 Implementation recommendations without
pre-requisites. ……………………………………………..
93
Table 3 Year 1 recommendations with prerequisites….
95
Table 4 Other Year 1 recommendations………………..
95
Table 5 Year 2 recommendations without pre-requisites.
……………………………………………………………….
103
Table 6 Other Year 2 recommendations. ……………….
103
Table 7 Year 2 recommendations with pre-requisites…
103
Table 8 Year 3 recommendations without pre-requisites.
………………………………………………………….
109
Table 9 Year 3 recommendations with prerequisite….
109
Table 10 Year 4 recommendations……………………..
110
Table 11 Year 5 recommendations…………………….
112
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1.0 Introduction
This Permaculture Design Report, prepared for Robert Waldrop and Sean Kay,
contains my recommendations for your property in the Gatewood neighborhood of
Oklahoma City.
I am willing to provide additional help and guidance as the implementation of the
design proceeds in areas where I am competent to do so. The design identifies certain
areas where I feel more research and/or other expert advice is necessary.
A permaculture design incorporates many variables and over time circumstances
evolve and change. There are some issues, such as climate and rainfall, over which the
designer has no control or influence. Thus, I make no guarantee that any of the design
recommendations contained herein will meet specific criteria upon implementation. Any
liability resulting from the implementation of this design is the clients. I am not an
engineer or architect, and am not engaged in the business of doing engineering work or
architectural design. If such work is needed, please seek competent professional
assistance. Thank you for this opportunity to work with you on this design.
Robert Waldrop
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1.1 Clients
The residents of the property are:
Figure 1: Bob Waldrop (left), Sean Kay (right)
♦ Robert Waldrop: age 53, native Oklahoman,
founder of the Oscar Romero Catholic Worker
House community.
♦ Sean Kay: age 36, native to Idaho, member of
the Oscar Romero Catholic Worker House
community.
Besides the residents, members of the Oscar Romero Catholic Worker community are
stakeholders in the use of the property, in particular:
♦ Marcus Evans: native Oklahoman, age 31, Oklahoma City fireman, husband to
Tresa, father to his children.
♦ Rev. Lance Schmitz: native Oklahoman, age 27, Minister of Compassion and Social
Justice at First Nazarene Church.
Bob and Sean want a home that is comfortable and frugal to operate, even as the price
of energy increases and the availability of energy decreases. They want the security of a
home that will remain livable and comfortable even if centrally distributed energy grids
collapse.
The Oscar Romero Catholic Worker Community wants a comfortable place for Bob and
Sean to live. The group needs a place for meetings, basic accommodations for Catholic
Worker travelers, and a host site for groups of students who come to experience a
"mission week" of service to the poor, immersion in poverty, education about
sustainable living, and religious inspiration. Since education regarding sustainable
living is an important aspect of the Catholic Worker charism, the community wants to
develop this site as an example of practical and affordable urban permaculture in action.
The household's primary income is Bob's salary as director of music. He considers his
job at Epiphany Church to be secure as long as there is not a total economic meltdown.
He is about 12 years away from retirement, and a super-energy efficient, mortgage-free
home, with lots of edible landscaping, is an important aspect of his retirement plan. Bob
is also the president and general manager of the Oklahoma Food Cooperative.
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Sean works for Epiphany Church doing maintenance, and does volunteer work with the
Catholic Worker house and the Oklahoma Food Cooperative.
Bob expects the central Oklahoma economy to remain viable for the near term (5 to 10
years), because Oklahoma still has a considerable amount of oil and natural gas
production. While high energy prices slow growth elsewhere, they stimulate economic
activity in Oklahoma because the state is a net energy exporter of oil and natural gas.
However, that production is declining, and our "net exporter" status may not last through
the next ten years. As our energy production declines, Oklahoma's economy will suffer
serious dislocations.
Bob and Sean want to grow crops that are hard to find (or expensive) from local sources
and they enjoy and like to eat. They presently grow fruit, greens, tomatoes, herbs, hot
peppers, and alliums. They purchase all of their meats, eggs, dairy, some vegetables
and nuts, flour, cornmeal, and certified organic/fair traded coffee and tea through the
Oklahoma Food Cooperative. Items presently bought at grocery stores, especially
during the winter, include carrots, cabbage, potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, tomato
sauce, oil, salt, non-temperate zone spices and herbs, and dog food. They would like to
grow more of these foods so they spend less money in the supermarket system.
There is one final client involved with this design. Since it is prepared in
fulfillment of the certification requirements of the Barking Frogs Online Permaculture
Design Course, I consider the principal instructor and reviewer of this design, Dan
Hemenway, to be a client.
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1.2 Site description
The property is at 1524 NW 21st St., in Oklahoma City. Located in the Gatewood
neighborhood, it consists of .1722 acre with 2 buildings. Besides this deeded land,
additional area is available for the clients' use on the city's easement (between the
sidewalks and the street). With this additional land, the total area is 2/5ths acre.
The design property is on the north side of a series of low hills that run along the flood
plain on the north side of the Oklahoma River. The elevation is 1,254 feet above sea
level. The area is one of the most densely populated sections of Oklahoma City. The
house sits on a terrace about three ft above the rest of the property. The terrace begins
on the inside of the sidewalks at the north end of the property, with the sidewalks being
at the lower elevation.
There are two buildings on the site. I refer to them the "house" and the "storage
building". The house is a Craftsman duplex, 1,548 square feet, built in 1929. The clients
remodeled it to be a single-family house. Bob and Sean live there. When visitors are
here, they stay in the house. It is brick veneer over wood frame with an asphalt shingle
roof. The long axis of the building runs north and south. There are two front doors,
facing north and two back doors, facing east and west on the south side of the building.
There is a porch on the north side.
The storage building is a 750 square feet wood frame house, built in 1929, with asphalt
shingle roof. Its primary use at this time is storage.
The nearest surface water to the design site is the North Canadian River. This is about
three miles away and the quality of that water is poor.
Existing features of the site include extensive edible landscaping, a passive solar sun
porch, super-insulation of the house, and equipment and supplies relating to self-reliant
living in the city. Appendix 3.7 has a list of the features of the site. The clients are
members of the Oklahoma Food Cooperative. That organization’s goal is to re-create a
local food system in the area. Bob and Sean participate in local sustainability and social
justice organizations and activities.
The client survey identifies a number of problems to be addressed by this design.
19
Figure 2: Base Map
20
Figure 3: House Base Map
21
Figure 4: West of house,
house, looking north
Figure 5: From front porch,
porch, looking north
22
Figure 6, Looking east across front yard
Figure 7: View from the south at front yard of storage building and sun porch of the
house.
house.
23
Figure 8: Sun porch
Figure 9: Front view of the storage building plus south end of house
24
Figure 10: Full view of west side of house
1.3 Community
The greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area includes all of Oklahoma County and
parts of eight surrounding counties. It encompasses 24 incorporated cities and towns
with a population is 1.3 million. (Statistical Abstract of the US, 2001).
Gatewood Neighborhood has 3 distinct parts – east, west, and central. The east and
west parts of the neighborhood are upscale, with home values at $150,000 and up. The
central part, the location of the design site, is distinctly blue collar. It has more duplexes
and four-plexes. The population is economically and ethnically diverse.
The design site is about four blocks from the city’s Asian district. It is 3 blocks from a
private university, Oklahoma City University, and its library and music school, which
features regular recitals, concerts, operas, and musical theater. It is 25 blocks from
downtown.
The property is ideally located for its residents to function well in an urban area without a
vehicle. Supermarkets (American and Asian), pharmacies, numerous restaurants,
musical entertainment, bars, physicians, pharmacies, used bookstores, churches, and a
large weekend flea market are within walking distance.
The property is at the southeast corner of the intersection of NW 21st and North
McKinley. Cars park on the street or in the driveway. The house has four doors, two in
front facing north, and two in back (the south side of the building), one facing east, the
other facing west. The storage building has two west-facing doors.
25
McKinley and NW 21st are residential streets, with McKinley having more traffic than NW
21st. The intersection is a four way stop. The closest major through streets (and their
directions of travel) are NW 23rd (east west, 2 blocks), North Classen (north-south, 4
blocks), North Pennsylvania (north-south, 9 blocks), NW 16th (east-west, 5 blocks). The
design property is close to the middle of an irregular quadrangle formed by I-44 (20
blocks), I-235 (15 blocks), and I-40 (21 blocks). It is within 3 miles of the I-40/I-35 (to the
southeast) and I-44/I-40 (to the southwest) interchanges, two of the nation's major
cross-country interstate highway junctions.
Amtrack train service to Ft. Worth, Texas is available at the Bricktown train depot, about
2 miles southeast of the design property. Greyhound bus service is available at the
Greyhound bus depot at North Walker and West Sheridan, about 1.5 miles southeast of
the property. Air travel is available from the Will Rogers International Airport, located 20
miles southwest of the property.
Four bus lines serve the neighborhood with stops within 6 blocks of the design property.
Oklahoma City and County are in a transition zone between two EPA Level III Ecoregions that is known as the “Cross Timbers Transition”. Before settlement, this was an
area of plains with typical prairie grasses and scattered red cedar, oaks, and elms. To
the east are the Northern Cross Timbers, originally a mosaic of tall grass prairie, eastern
red cedar, scrubby oak forest, and oak savanna. The Central Great Plains are to the
west. Historically, they were mixed grass, legume, and forb prairies. (Woods, A.J.,
Omernik, J.M., Butler, D.R., Ford, J.G., Henley, J.E., Hoagland, B.W., Arndt, D.S., and
Moran, B.C., 2005, Ecoregions of Oklahoma, Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey).
The climate is moderate in the winter, hot and humid in the summer. The area is subject
to periodic ice and snow storms, although snow is not generally on the ground all winter.
The relevant climate data about the area is in Appendix 3.6. The area is at risk of, and
regularly experiences, severe thunderstorms, hail, windstorms, and tornadoes.
More information about the social and economic history of the area is in Appendix 3.8.
26
2.0 Design Recommendations
This section contains my recommendations for the site. Each recommendation has a
descriptive word and number: e.g., SOIL 1 is the first recommendation regarding soil.
27
2.1 Earth Works and Nutrient Management
2.1.1 Earth Works
Soil 1 Build retaining walls at the curbs, raise the level of the yard
closest to the retaining walls and shape the soil levels so that the
ground slopes towards the center of each yard section that is west of
the north-south public sidewalk.
To keep water and organic matter from running out into the street from the yards:
(1) build a retaining wall along the curbs;
(2) raise the level of the yard closest to the retaining walls so that the yard slopes to the
center;
(3) shape the soil levels along the side walks and driveway so that the ground slopes
towards the center of each yard section that is west of the north-south public
sidewalk.
The yards that border McKinley Street on the west side of the house slope towards the
street. This is also a problem for the yard that borders on NW 21st, although to a lesser
extent. Because these yards slope down to the curb, the curb does not hold water or soil
in the yard. The low profile of the curb makes a path for soil and other organic material
to wash over the curb and into the street when it rains.
Build these curb retaining walls just inside of and touching the existing curbs. Since this
project is on the city's easement, the area could be subject to work by the City or the
utilities. Therefore, I recommend a dry-stacked wall. This is easier to move in advance
of such construction than a cemented-in-place wall or a wall built of red cedar logs
planted in the ground.
At its highest point, the curb retaining wall is 14 inches above the curb. At its lowest
point, the retaining wall is 6 inches above the curb. Use shaped concrete landscape
blocks as the building material. The primary wall block is 12 inches long with a curved
front. They are 4 inches tall and 8-1/2 inches wide. For the capstone layer, use a
rectangular block that is 18 inches long and 8-1/2 inches wide. These are standard sizes
for these blocks. They are available at home supply stores and there is one source that
makes the blocks in Oklahoma City and sells them directly to the public. Appendix 3.3
lists those suppliers at III-7. Match the color of the primary concrete blocks to the color
of the bricks on the house (as closely as possible) and use gray for the capstone layer,
thus making a wall that is burgundy topped with gray.
To build this wall, first excavate a three-inch deep, 12-inch wide trench along the path of
the retaining wall and place one-inch of sand into the trench. According to the
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manufacturer, for a14 -inch wall, the blocks should be set two inches below the curb.
Lay the first course of stones. Complete that course before adding the second layer of
concrete blocks. Each course of bricks is slightly inset from the other, because of a ridge
along the inside narrow side of the block which locks onto the back of the layer below
the stone. Continue with the third course of blocks and then use the capstone blocks for
the top layer. As the required height of the wall decreases, instead of four courses, the
number of courses reduces to three and then to two. As you lay the stones, place
sections of pond liner on the back of the blocks, to prevent water and soil from washing
through the spaces where the blocks meet, then back fill with four inches of gravel.
After the four inches of gravel, backfill the rest of the space with soil mixed with compost
materials so that the area closest to the retaining walls is at the level of the yard closest
to the public sidewalks. Shape the ground in these two west-side yard sections so that it
slopes at 5% to the center of the yard area. These slopes begin at each of the
sidewalks, the driveway, and at the retaining walls. Ten feet from the retaining walls and
the sidewalks and driveway, the level of the ground is therefore six inches lower than at
the walls. This slope helps the yard retain water in the area where the growing beds are
situated.
Figure 11 shows the locations of these retaining walls, the highest and lowest points of
the walls, and the areas where the ground slopes towards the center.
After this work is finished, sheet mulch this entire area. Appendix 3.3 has a list of
suppliers of materials for implementing this recommendation at III-7.
29
Figure 11: Location of the retaining walls west of the house along McKinley Street.
Street.
Soil 2 Build a swale and berm system in front of the house.
To control water run-off and prevent erosion of the slope down to the sidewalk, build a
swale and berm system in the front yard north of the house, south of the public sidewalk,
where the 1,254-feet-above-sea-level contour line runs. The purpose of this system is to
intercept the water that presently flows down the little hill to the sidewalk and retain it in
the area around the fruit trees.
30
Figure 12: Map showing location of berm south of the east-west public sidewalk on
the contour line.
line.
A north-south private sidewalk that leads to the front doors divides this front yard area.
This area presently has three fruit trees. The ground cover is Bermuda grass. There are
three steps that begin at the contour line and go down to the level of the east-west
public sidewalk in front of the house. The berm begins three feet south of the east-west
public sidewalk on both sides of the north-south private sidewalk. It runs parallel to the
public sidewalk. It is eight inches above the level of the ground between the contour line
and the house and is two feet wide. At the east property line, the berm makes a 90
degree corner and turns south, running along the edge of the neighbor's driveway. It
tapers to the level of the surrounding soil 28 feet south of the public sidewalk.
On the west side of the private sidewalk that divides this area, the berm runs 18 feet
west along the contour line. It then turns at a 15 degree angle and continues six feet
until it meets the retaining wall recommended in Soil-3 below that runs on the house
side of the north-south public sidewalk west of the house.
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Once the berm is in place, sheet mulch the entire area south of the public sidewalk and
plant it with suitable ground covers to replace the Bermuda grass. Appendix 3.5 has a
list of suitable plants.
On either side of the north-south public sidewalk, dig a two to three feet wide, six-inch
deep swale to catch rainwater runoff from the sidewalk. Dig channels from this swale to
direct water to the fruit trees in the area. Retaining the water in this area helps nourish
the fruit trees that presently planted there, prevents erosion of the slope, and avoids
sending that water into the city's storm sewer system. The water also benefits the
ground cover and other useful and productive plants in the area.
On the north side of the east-west public sidewalk north of the house, dig a swale along
the street side of the sidewalk, so that water can run off the sidewalk and into the yard.
Extend channels from this swale into the two elderberry patches and the sand plum
patch. Figure 13 shows the location of the swales and channels.
sidewalk..
Figure 13: Swale and channels north of east-west public sidewalk
Soil-3 Build retaining walls west and north of the house.
To control erosion on the slope on the north side of the berm recommended in Soil 2,
build a 14 inch tall retaining wall at the base of the slope along the south edge of the
east-west public sidewalk north of the house. Instead of concrete, use red cedar posts
that are at least 4 X 4. These are available from locally harvested timber. Mount the
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Figure 14: Location of west side retaining wall along the house side of the north-south
public sidewalk.
posts about 8 inches into the ground, next to each other, 'stockade style'. Red cedar is a
renewable locally-sourced resource with less embodied energy than concrete.
On the west side of the house, build a retaining wall along the east edge of the northsouth public sidewalk. At its highest point (the north end), the wall is 29 inches tall. At
its lowest point (the south end) it is 8 inches tall. Use this retaining wall to level the slope
of the area between the public sidewalk and the house. Use fill soil excavated from
other projects mixed with compost and mulch to create a level area. Place two sets of
three stairs as specified in Figure 14 below. Use this space for intensive garden beds,
which will increase the space you have for growing food.
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2.1.2 Nutrient Management
Soil-4 Replace Bermuda grass with other ground covers.
To address the problems of code enforcement, invasive Bermuda grass, erosion control,
and the general aesthetics of the property, replace the existing remnants of the original
Bermuda grass lawn with useful ground covers that once established are low
maintenance. First remove the turf and compost it as part of the shaping of the soil in
this area as recommended in Soil 1 and Soil 2. Then, after you shape the ground in
accordance with those recommendations, sheet mulch the area where the Bermuda
grass formerly grew. The book Introduction to Permaculture, referenced in Appendix
3.4, has a discussion of the sheet mulch process on pages 103-106.
Soil-5 Mulch areas not planted to ground cover.
Cover all soil areas not planted to ground cover with mulch throughout the year. The
mulch should be renewed as necessary. (This is not a recommendation to sheet mulch
the entire property.) Your property, however, uses more mulch than it produces. You
presently harvest a considerable amount of mulch materials from bags of organic
materials placed at the curb by neighbors for the City to remove. You also bring home a
large amount of grass clippings each week from Epiphany Church. Appendix 3.10 has a
list of good mulch materials and some possible sources for those resources.
Soil-6 Convert an old bathtub into a vermiculture project.
Use the large curled lip bath-tub that you removed from one of the bathrooms as a
vermiculture project. The worms produce worm castings and worm tea to help maintain
the fertility of your soils. A good location for the tub is outside of the east door of the sun
porch next to the firewood storage, as indicated by Figure 15. This location provides
convenient access from the kitchen. It is shady in the summer so the worms won't cook,
but receives sunlight in the winter to keep them warm. During the winter, the water
storage tank creates a warmer micro-climate in the area. Insulate the tub with bales of
hay during cold weather. Make a lid for the tub to keep birds and other critters out. (Cut
a piece of plywood to fit the top of the tub. Drill air holes in the lid.) Place the tub on 2
stacked pallets to raise it off the ground. Wire the pallets together with baling wire and
stake them to the ground to prevent movement. Place a screen over the drain to prevent
the worms from escaping and connect a hose is to the tub’s drain to collect worm juice
run-off. Place a gallon jar underneath the firewood storage and place the end of the
hose in the jar. The best one volume book on vermiculture is Mary Appelhof's, Worms
Eat My Garbage, referenced in Appendix 3.4. Appendix 3.2 has local sources for
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vermiculture advice at II-3 and Appendix 3.3 has a list of suppliers of vermiculturerelated supplies at III-17.
Figure 15:
Location and depiction of vermiculture project.
Soil 7 Compost in place.
You presently maintain two large compost piles. Each pile is about 16' long, 4' wide, and
3-4' tall at the beginning of the composting process. Replace the large compost piles
with composting in place on the garden beds and around the trees and bushes. This
avoids the twin problems of compost nutrients leaching into the soil under the piles and
tree roots invading the pile. It eliminates the need to move the compost from the pile to
the garden beds. It provides a continuous source of food for the plants.
Composting in place captures nutrients that would otherwise leach into the soil and
greatly enhances the microbial activity at the surface of the soil.
35
Microorganisms in the soil grow on plant roots and deplete the soil of oxygen. Ethylene
then forms at those sites, and this de-activates (but does not kill) the soil
microorganisms. As a result demand for oxygen decreases and thus oxygen diffuses
back into the soil. This awakens the soil microorganisms that commence work and the
cycle repeats. This cycle is critical to the ability of plants to make use of the nutrients in
the soil. For more information about this, see the article "The Living Soil," by Dan
Hemenway in "The International Permaculture Journal," #7, March 1981.
As you harvest the plants, make compost piles on the beds. In the past you placed two
inches of finished compost on plant beds in the spring. For composting in place, put six
to eight inches of compost materials (a mixture of "wet and green" and "brown and dry"
materials) on the beds in the fall. If you decide to plant a winter green manure, sow it
onto the mulch on top of the compost materials. If you have a dry winter, water these
composted beds so the composting process continues. If you have food scraps that are
not fed to the worms, place them on the compost beds and cover with some mulch.
Coffee grounds make an excellent contribution to the
composting process. Many coffeehouses give their grounds free of charge to
gardeners. Appendix 3.3 has a list of coffeehouses in your area at III-2.
If you decide you need compost tea, make it from the worm castings, or from compost
from a smaller pile that could be situated on the south side of the firewood storage. If
you have compost materials that contain lots of weed seeds or diseased plant matter,
run them through a hot compost pile instead of using them to compost in place.
Soil 8 Grow additional compost/green manure crops.
At the present time you get a lot of mulch and compost material from off your site in the
form of bags of leaves and grass put out by neighbors for trash collection and other
bags of mulch materials brought home from Epiphany Church. In the future, the
availability of this free material may decline. Therefore, grow additional compost crops.
John Jeavons of Ecology Action says that approximately 60% of the available garden
space should be planted with compost crops in order to maintain the fertility of the soils
without importing fertility from off the site. You presently have 690 square feet of garden
beds. With his method, you need to dedicate 414 square feet of growing area to
compost cropping. However, many food crops also qualify as compost crops. Compost
crops such as vetch, clover, and Austrian winter peas can be grown over the winter
when the food producing beds are fallow, as recommended in Soil 9. Thus, it will not be
necessary to dedicate 414 square feet solely for the production of compost crops to the
exclusion of all other uses. Section 2.1.2 has several recommendations for increasing
the growing area to provide more food, more compost crops, and more areas for rotating
crops. Appendix 3.5 has a list of suitable compost and mulch crops.
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Soil-9 Plant cover crops that boost soil fertility.
To boost soil fertility, prevent erosion of raised beds, and bolster the visual interest of
the garden area during the winter months, plant winter cover crops on the growing beds
each fall. Sow them on top of the compost and mulch material applied to the beds in the
fall. Think of these plants as "green manure". Before they mature and set seed,
incorporate them into the soil. Appendix 3.5 has a list of suitable winter cover crops for
your garden.
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2.1.3 Food Production
Food-1 Increase the area for food production.
Figure 16 shows locations on the property where space is available for more raised
beds to grow annual vegetables and compost crops. Perennial food production
recommendations are in Food 14. Besides raised beds, the recommended trellises,
espaliers, and arbors (Food 6, Food 19), and the container garden (Food 23) provide
more food growing space. Appendix 3.5 contains notes about specific annual
vegetables and perennial food producing plants that you can add to your garden to
increase food production.
Figure 16: Additional growing areas.
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Food 2 Re-work the growing beds in the garden area west of the
house.
Replace the present system of rectangular beds with a new pattern described in the
map in this section. Bermuda grass has invaded all of those garden beds from the
surrounding areas and thus that entire section of the property needs to be sheet
mulched.
39
Figure 17: A sample plan for the intensive garden area using keyhole and circular beds.
beds.
40
Food 3 Use all of the growing season.
Follow the planting guidelines of the Square Foot Gardening method and the Oklahoma
Extension recommendations for spring, summer, and fall gardens to increase food
production from your garden beds. The relevant Oklahoma Extension publications
(Oklahoma Gardening Guide and Oklahoma Fall Gardening Guide) are in Appendix
3.10. Appendix 3.5 has suggestions for spring, summer, and fall crops.
Food 4 Make a plant spacing grid.
To facilitate the intensive planting of vegetables required by the Square Foot Gardening
method, make plant spacing grids as described in the Bartholomew book.
Food 5 Use companion planting techniques.
Companion planting is a traditional art of grouping plants that help each other and do
not compete with the plants surrounding them. Like most traditional arts, learn this
practice by observation and research using credible sources. Appendix 3.4 references
companion planting publications from ATTRA, Ecology Action, and Kourik.
Food 6 Grow crops vertically to increase production in your limited
space.
Use vertical growing techniques to increase production in your limited available space.
The Square Foot Gardening book referenced in Appendix 3.4 has excellent tips for
training plants to grow vertically. Besides the annual beds, other areas suitable for
vertical growing are the arbors proposed for the front and back entries to the property
(Food 19) and the tanks and barrels of the water harvesting system (Water 1). Appendix
3.5 has lists of annual and perennial climbing vegetables and useful plants.
Food 7 Use your sun porch as a greenhouse.
Use your sun porch as a greenhouse to produce winter fresh food and to start plants to
set out in the spring. Use the interior removable insulating shutters recommended in
Energy 8 to retain heat in the sun porch area at night.
There is, however, no such thing as a free lunch from a sun porch. Heat retained in the
sun porch to keep plants warm during the winter is heat that isn't available to warm the
house. Recommendation Energy 10 has ideas to increase the efficiency of the solar sun
porch.
41
Food 8 Make cold frames to increase winter food production.
Use the new planter outside of the sunspace recommended in Food 22 as a cold frame.
You have dimensional lumber and glass storm doors and windows in storage that you
can use to implement this recommendation. Appendix 3.10 has a copy of the Oklahoma
Extension publication on fall gardening with information to help you select plants for
growing in cold frames. Eliot Coleman's book, Four Season Harvest, referenced in
Appendix 3.4, discusses building cold frames on pages 83-87. Make sure any cold
frames are tightly fitted and allow for your control of the ventilation. Locating this large
cold frame in an area that you regularly pass by makes it easy for you to maintain it.
Food 9 Preserve heirloom plants and save seeds.
Plant heirloom varieties and save seeds from your garden to replant the following year.
The genetic diversity of our food crops is in danger from GMO seeds and the buy-out of
seed companies by large corporations. Appendix 3.2 has local resources to help you
learn this practice at II-3. Carla Emery's Encyclopedia of Country Living discusses seed
saving on pages 96-97. Suzanne Ashworth's book, Seed to Seed: Seed Saving
Techniques for the Vegetable Gardener, is available from Seed Saver's Exchange, also
referenced in Appendix 3.2 at II-3. Join the Seed Saver's Exchange!
Food 10
Increase production of food producing legumes.
Legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils contribute high quality protein to the
household diet and support neighboring plants and soil fertility with nitrogen. They are
not readily available at local farmers markets or the Oklahoma Food Cooperative.
Increasing your production of beans and peas bolsters your household's food security
and the fertility of your soil. Appendix 3.5 has lists of legumes suitable for your area.
Grow enough so that you have fresh beans, peas, and lentils during the growing season
and some to store for eating out of season. You have two options for preserving the
beans.
(1)
(2)
Dehydration. Allow the pinto beans, lentils, purple-hulled peas, and Navy beans
that you do not eat fresh to dry on the vine. Pick them, shell them, and store in
jars for soaking and cooking later.
Pressure canning. Pressure canning cooks the beans, which is convenient when
it comes time to eat them.
Food 11 Increase your production of multiplying onions, shallots and
Egyptian onions.
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Divide your existing patches of Egyptian onions and establish them in new locations
around the property.
Food 12 Plant and cook alternatives to summer squash
Since you have problems growing summer squash due to cucumber beetles and squash
vine borer, grow winter squash and pumpkins instead. Harvest some of them while
immature, and then use them like summer squash for your favorite recipes. Substituting
immature winter squash and pumpkins for summer squash is easier and more certain of
success than experimenting with various natural controls for these common pests.
Food 13 Keep good garden records.
The Oklahoma Organic Garden Planner, which is available through the Oklahoma Food
Cooperative, is a good template for a garden record book.
Food 14 Add more perennial food/useful plants to the garden.
Appendix 3.5 has recommendations for perennial plants suitable for your area.
Appendix 3.4 references the new Jacke/Toensmeier book on perennial vegetables.
Food 15 Learn good pruning and grafting techniques.
Appendix 3.10 has a publication of Oklahoma Cooperative Extension about pruning fruit
trees.
Food 16 Make improvements to the fruit tree area north of the house.
Add nutrient accumulator, nitrogen fixer, and insectary plants to this area. Appendix 3.5
has some suggestions. Recommendation Soil 4 calls for replacing the Bermuda grass
ground cover in this area with more useful and beneficial ground cover plants that
contribute to the health and harvest of the area.
Food 17 Increase production south of the storage building.
The area between the storage building and the south property line is presently the
compost making area. After implementing Soil 7 (composting in place), Water 7
recommends installing an outdoor pond in this area, scheduled for implementation in
Year 5. In the meantime, use this area for cultivating additional compost crops.
This is a good area for growing compost crops that do well in partial shade. Appendix
3.5 has a list of suggested compost crops that could be grown in this area.
43
To increase the sunlight, trim the trees that over-hang your property from the neighbor to
the south. Although not required by law, it would be a good gesture to contact that
property owner before doing this. Do not remove the fence on the west boundary of this
area, because the rain barrel system recommended in Water 1 must be screened from
public view. While rainwater harvesting is not illegal, visible tanks not otherwise
disguised may cause problems with your neighborhood association. While they could
not force you to remove them, they could retaliate by pro-active code enforcement on
your property. So it is better to keep these larger tanks hidden from view from the
street.
A second method to increase food production in this area is to build a trellis around the
rain barrels to support food producing vines. Appendix 3.5 has a list of suggested food
producing vines that would work for this area.
Figure 18: Yard with water tanks and garden beds.
beds.
A third method is to espalier fruit trees on the barrels.
Appendix 3.5 has a list of suitable crops for this area.
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Food 18 Use the perimeter of the property for food production.
Your perimeter hedge (see Shelter 9) provides additional space for planting perennial
food producing shrubs. Appendix 3.5 has a list of plants that would be suitable for this
purpose.
Use the perimeter retaining walls recommended in Soil 1 as a trellis. Any of the climbing
or trailing plants listed in Appendix 3.5 would be good for this trellis, but I recommend
selecting plants with showy flowers to increase the beauty of the property.
Food 19 Build more vertical growing structures.
Besides the trellises for annual crops recommended in Food 6, Figure 19 shows several
areas where arbors can provide additional vertical growing areas:
+ From the steps of the front porch to the public sidewalk on the north side of the house;
+ From the west door of the sun porch to the west edge of the concrete;
+ From the east door of the sun porch to the fence,
+ In front of the storage building, on the west side of the sidewalk.
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Figure 19: Location of new arbors.
arbors.
Besides food production, the west sun porch arbor provides shade during the summer to
the sunniest corner of the house and shields the summer kitchen from the elements. An
arbor in front of the storage building creates a private, shady sitting area. The east sun
porch arbor shades that area and the water storage tank underneath it.
Food 20 Plant a medicinal garden.
Create a garden area devoted to medicinal herbs in the area west of the house, a place
with convenient access to the main entrance of the house. Plant this area with medicinal
herbs and plants. Besides providing medicinal plant products for the residents, it can
46
also serve as an educational exhibit during garden tours. One of the best reference
works available on effective herbal medicines is The Complete German E Commission
Monographs, referenced in Appendix 3.4. Use this book as a guide to select plants for
effective herbal remedies that meet the household's health needs.
Food 21 Monitor the shade cast by the perimeter hedge.
Shade from the hedge will eventually impact the annual growing beds. There is a tradeoff involving the height of the hedge, the amount of shade on the inside of the hedge,
and the need for sunlight for growing crops. The higher the hedge, the more privacy
from the street, but the longer the shadow that impacts the annual growing beds. During
the growing season, note the times that the shadow over-laps the growing area. You
need at least 6 hours of full sun every day for most of the annual plants in this area.
Food 22 Build a planter box by the sunspace.
This planter box runs the length of the south wall of the solar sunspace. Make the
planter box three feet wide so you can use the glass storm doors you have in storage to
make the planter a cold frame during the winter, as recommended in Food 8. Build this
out of brick to match the existing house exterior. During the summer, plant climbing
vines along the north edge of the box that will shade the sunspace throughout the
summer. To make a trellis for these vines, put eye hooks in the eaves of the house and
thread a light cord through them. Loop this cord through a pipe that rests on the soil of
the planter box and hold the cord taut.
This planter box provides several functions: (1) shade for the sun porch in the summer,
(2) increased and more convenient food production, (3) it demonstrates growing food on
concrete surfaces, (4) it adds to the aesthetics of the property.
Food 23 Make a container garden on the driveway.
This container garden provides an immediate increase in food production, improves the
aesthetics of the property, and demonstrates an important urban gardening technique
(container growing on concrete). Since this is the garden area closest to the kitchen
door, use this for the "cut and come again" plants like chard, mustard, collards, lettuce,
parsley, and celery. At the end of the outdoor growing season, bring the remaining
biennial and perennial plants inside to over-winter them in the solar sun porch (typically
chard and hot peppers).
A variety of containers are available for this purpose. You can also do projects like
cinder block planters or planting beds on the surface of the concrete. If the planting
containers have drain holes in the bottom, place them on a basin so that water draining
47
from the bottom is contained. Use containers that you can make drain holes in the side
one to two inches up from the bottom.
Use a planting mixture that is lighter than garden soil. Appendix 3.4 has
recommendations for books on container gardening.
Food 24 Create a greenhouse/fish culture system in the storage
building.
This recommendation is a pre-design for the southern half of the Storage Building after
your on-going work has emptied it of the materials stored there for use in implementing
this design. This recommendation is only an outline of the work to be involved and
includes notes on research items that must be developed at greater depth before
implementation can proceed. This project would be a good topic for a weekend design
workshop in Oklahoma City.
This project involves the following tasks:
+ Use the southern half of the storage building for this project. The interior of the
building has already been cleared of walls. Framing remains in place to bear the roof
load, but there is sufficient open space for this project.
+ Insulate the walls and ceiling of the aquaculture greenhouse area to R-60, and the
floors to R-20. Use the same procedure for the walls that you used in the house.
Insulate the existing walls and then build new interior walls 11 inches inside of the
existing interior walls of the south half of the building. Put a non-load bearing R-60 (15
inch thick) wall through the center of the building to form the north wall of the fish
culture/greenhouse system. Before insulating, do a proper job with caulk of sealing
seams and joists to limit air infiltration. Use cellulose insulation. It is easy to install, you
have experience in using it, it is made from recycled materials and has a low embodied
energy content. The high level of recommended insulation is due to the need to
minimize heat build-up in the summer, without operating an air conditioner, and to retain
heat in the winter, without operating back-up heat.
+ Install daylighting/skylights.
+ Add windows to the south wall, so that it is a solid wall of windows such as you have
in the house sun porch.
+ Equip the building with the items necessary for fish culture and greenhouse growing,
including lights, tanks, pumps, growing containers, and fans.
+ Paint the interior walls, ceiling, and floor with a white matte paint that is formulated for
solar applications. This increases the reflectivity of the walls, floor, and ceiling so that
more light gets to the plants and tanks.
48
+ Build insulated interior shutters for the south, east, and west facing windows, similar to
the shutters described in Energy 8. You need these windows for summer ventilation, but
you also need the ability to insulate them to protect the system from winter cold. During
the winter, leave the east and west interior shutters up 24 hours/day. Open the southfacing shutters in the morning and close them at night.
+ Shade the south-facing windows during the summer with trellised climbing vines as
described in Food 22 for the house sun porch.
Further areas of research and design required for this project include:
+ A study of the existing structure of the floor, and calculation of the expected loads of
the fish tanks and plant growing media. If the present floor structure is not adequate for
this project, it will need to be strengthened.
+ Information about tank cultivation of fish and water plant polycultures. Avoid fish
monocultures.
+ A plan for managing the interior humidity.
+ Ventilation/heat control in the summer, and heat retention in the winter.
+ A strategy to work this system like a watershed, where rainwater harvest would enter
the system at its highest level, and nutrient-rich water would leave the system at its
lowest level, which would then be available for irrigating plants either in the greenhouse
or outdoors.
+ A method to monitor the water quality and avoid water problems that would be
problems for the fish and/or water plants (e.g. eutrophication).
+ A suitable method of installing sky-lights in the roof.
+ Information about interior grow light systems.
+ A decision on an electrical system for the aquaculture/greenhouse.
+ Integrating the indoor system with the outdoor pond recommended in Water 7.
This aquaculture/greenhouse system is a productive use for the available space in the
storage building, creates nutrient rich water for growing food, boosts on-site food
production and water storage. It provides an additional use for the rain harvest
(watering plants and filling the fish tanks) and another use for household food and other
organic waste (feeding the fish and plants). Potentially it could provide income if fish or
plants/vegetables from the operation are sold.
49
Bruce Edwards, of the Urban Harvest program at the Regional Food Bank, has a
working aquaponics system that harvests greens and tilapia fish. He can provide expert
advice and you can visit his working operation in Oklahoma City.
2.1.4 Food processing and storage
Cook 1 Build an outdoor kitchen and deck.
Locate this outdoor kitchen and deck outside of the west door of the sun porch, under
the arbor recommended in Food 19. This puts it only a few steps away from the indoor
kitchen. Use the dimensional lumber in your household storage for construction. The
floor of the deck should be at the same height as the inside floor of the sun porch. You
need a step leading down to the ground, on the south side of the deck, with a handrail.
The arbor shades the deck. Use a removable Ondura roofing panel over the cooking
area during the summer to protect it from rain. The Ondura panel rests on supports
below the crossbeams of the arbor.
During the winter, remove the Ondura panel so sunlight can reach the south facing
windows of the utility room. Hold the panel in place with a 2x4 secured to the upright
posts of the arbor with bolts. For convenience in removing the bolts at the end of the
summer, use wing nuts.
The following equipment/furnishings will be useful in the outdoor kitchen:
♦ A metal table with the 2-burner propane camp stove,
♦ Propane grill and turkey fryer (sits on the floor next to the camp stove).
♦ Outdoor sink on a table. Connect the drain to a hose so that you can water the
container garden close by the summer kitchen
♦ A five-gallon container of water with a spigot for the water supply. Fill this with a hose
that attaches to the faucet of the kitchen sink.
♦ A rolling prep table to bring ingredients from the kitchen.
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Figure 20: Location and floor plan of summer kitchen.
kitchen.
Cook 2 Build a root cellar/tornado shelter.
See also Hazard 1. This structure serves several functions: storage for food, wine, and
beer, shelter from tornadoes and windstorms, and fallout shelter in case of nuclear
attack/terrorism or "accident".
Locate the cellar on the southern half of the driveway. This location provides easy
access to the cellar for shelter from storms and to retrieve food items. In the summer the
mature elm tree and the north wall of the storage building shades it.
This project requires removing the concrete in this area. This can be done by several
people with sledgehammers, or you can rent a small backhoe with a jack-hammer
attachment on the front to break up the concrete. Appendix 3.3 has a list of local
suppliers of this equipment at III-19 .
Save the broken up concrete (also known as urbanite) for other building projects. A
good storage place is between the storage building and the fence along the east
property line.
The sewer line runs between the house and the storage building on its way to the city's
sewer pipes. Therefore, before digging, run a locator beacon through your sewer line to
ensure that it does not go through the area of cellar construction. If it does go through
the proposed area for the cellar, move the cellar further west.
Hire a contractor to build and install an underground concrete storm cellar, according to
the design specification in this section. The alternative is to build the cellar yourself
using the underground post and beam method developed by Mike Oehler, author of The
$50 and Up Underground House Book. Review the book and the DVD's of his six-hour
seminar, which you have in the Catholic Worker library, for the details of this
construction alternative.
The long axis of the cellar runs 16' east and west, with a width of 8 feet and a height of 7
feet. Divide this area into 2 rooms, one for storage of food products that do not require
high humidity, and the second for storing food products that require high humidity.
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Figure 21: Location of cellar.
cellar.
The roof of the cellar must be pitched or curved to allow water to drain. After excavating
the hole for the cellar, dig an 8-inch deep trench around the outside of the walls and
down the centerline of the cellar. Dig the trench so that it slopes towards a French drain
constructed at the west end of the shelter outside of the walls of the shelter. Put 3
inches of gravel in the trench. Lay perforated 4" pipe on the bed of gravel, and cover
with more gravel. Place the pipe and trench in such a way that it drains into the
underground French drain. The contractor assisting in the construction will advise you
on the desirable slope of these drains.
Include two doors for the cellar, an upper door that is at ground level with a slight incline
(30 degrees), and an upright door at the bottom of the stairs. Because the root cellar is
also a tornado shelter, use steel doors. Because the dominant track of tornadoes in
Oklahoma County is from the west to the east, place the primary entrance doors at the
east end of the shelter. The inner doors should have brackets inside for two braces that
go across the door to keep the door from being blown open. The upper doors open out,
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the inner doors open in. Lock both the upper and lower doors when the cellar is not in
use. Use a common key for all the locks. The outer door and stairway are at a right
angle to the east wall of the cellar and thus face north. This orientation enhances the
protection factor of the cellar in the event of tornadoes or nuclear war or other radiation
incident.
Debris may fall on the door of the cellar during a strong windstorm. Therefore, construct
an escape hatch at the west end of the shelter. This is a round tunnel (three feet in
diameter) made from galvanized steel extending out 3 feet from the west wall of the
shelter to a vertical shaft. The escape hatch has doors at both ends. Elevate the exterior
escape hatch door from the surrounding land to keep water run-off from entering, as
shown in the Oehler book and DVDs.
Register the location of the cellar with the fire department, so that in the event of a
tornado destroying your neighborhood, the fire department will know about the cellar
and will check to make sure no one is trapped in the cellar because of debris.
Use the first room of the cellar, to age beer and wine and to store canned goods and
other food items that need less humidity. There is a door between the rooms. Both
rooms need passive air intake and exhaust pipes. The passive air intake pipes bring air
in from the outside at the floor level. The exhaust pipes let air out at the ceiling level.
Screen the air pipes at their entrances and exits to keep out rodents. The air intake
pipes that enter the cellar at the floor level are outside of the shelter wall. Install a third
air intake with a hand-crank operated blower with air filter in the first room, for use when
you stay in the shelter for extended periods. Locate this hand-cranked blower at a
convenient height for operating the blower. When not in use, cap that air intake.
Cover the shelter with 3 feet of soil so it can function effectively as a root cellar and a
tornado shelter. Place a minimum/maximum recording thermometer in the cellar to help
you learn about its temperature fluctuations so you can determine a good operating
procedure for it. Plant the soil cover of the shelter with a suitable ground cover, to hold
the soil in place. Appendix 3.5 has a list of suitable ground cover plants.
Besides food storage items, store these additional items in the shelter: shovel, pick ax,
ax, crow-bar, saw, maul, bow saw with additional blades, emergency lighting system,
water, chairs, blankets, religious devotional items, books, and pet food, for use in
situations where you stay longer than an hour or two. Equip the root cellar with suitable
storage equipment (shelves, bins, and boxes) for the food and the tools. Keep the
household’s long-term food storage supplies in the shelter.
Cook 3 Get the equipment you need for food processing and
preservation.
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Expand the household's food preservation methods to include brining, fermenting, solar
dehydration, and pressure canning. The household already has an electric food dryer,
water bath canner, and some canning jars but you need at least 240 quart jars and 240
pint jars for canning and food storage purposes. Appendix 3.10 has a list of equipment
useful for food preservation and processing.
Cook 4 Build a solar food dryer.
Since Oklahoma has excellent weather for solar food drying, build a solar food dryer
similar to the one made by Bruce Johnson of the Homestead School in Oklahoma City. I
spoke with Bruce and he said he would be willing to work with you to build one. Home
Power magazine has plans for several different designs, one of which is similar to the
one at the Homestead School.
Cook 5 Create a food preparation area in the kitchen.
Create a "work quadrangle" in the kitchen formed by the sink, the rolling preparation
table, the counter next to the stove, and the stove. Generally, when cooking for only the
2 household residents, do not use the stove. Instead, use smaller appliances like the
electric skillet, hot plate, and crock-pot. This work quadrangle “works” for both cooking
configurations (stove or small electrical appliances or both).
Place the household's rolling butcher-block table in the middle of the kitchen, even with
the counter next to the stove along the east kitchen wall. A person preparing food can
thus turn around and be immediately in front of the stove/cooking counter or the rolling
butcher-block table for food preparation and cooking. On the shelves of the rolling table,
place containers for dry goods such as flour, as well as bowls, pans, and cutting boards
used in baking and meal preparation. On the surface of the rolling table, place food
prep items used frequently such as measuring utensils.
You have a hanging pot rack that you made from the grill of a gas outdoor cooker, some
chains and eye-hooks to attach it to the ceiling, and S hooks made from coat hangers on
which the pots hang. Move this so that it is above the rolling table. Given the number of
pots, pans, and other utensils the household uses, make a second rack and hang it next
to the existing rack.
Above the counter on the east wall of the kitchen there are two shelves. Place the
kitchen's supplies of spices and herbs, whatever canned goods the house will be using
that week, coffee, tea, cocoa, the hand mixer and food processor on those shelves.
Locate the hot plate, electric skillet, crockpot, and a basket of kitchen towels and hot
pads on the counter below those shelves.
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In the drawer below the counter place extra food preparation utensils and lids to the
smaller pots. In the cabinet below the drawer, place pots, skillets, and other cooking
utensils.
When completed, everything you need to prepare most meals is right there at the work
area, either on the counter or in its shelves/drawer, or on the rolling table. The chest
refrigerator is three steps away from the food preparation area. The freezer is five steps.
Cook 6 Create more food storage places.
Between Sean's bedroom door and the bathroom there is a closet with four shelves.
(The doors all open into the kitchen area.) This is a convenient location for
canned/jarred food, kitchen towels/wash cloths, and equipment storage for the kitchen.
Use closet to store your homemade jams and other canned good, as well as kitchen
linens.
Pending the construction of an underground root cellar, store whole grains, rice, dried
beans, pasta, and salt in five and six-gallon buckets in the storage building. The closet
in the hallway between the utility room and the west bathroom is also available for the
storage of canned goods.
2.1.5 Human Excreta Management.
Waste 1 Use urine as fertilizer.
Save your urine in jugs and allow to ferment for at least 4 weeks. This allows the urea
to convert into ammonia -- a nitrogen fertilizer more readily bound to soil particles than
nitrates. Store jugs of urine while fermenting in the storage building. Add a tablespoon of
finished compost to each jug. To use as fertilizer, dilute the urine (one part urine to ten
parts water) and water the areas around plants.
Waste 2 Build a chopped straw toilet.
I am unable to make a recommendation for daily management of humanure at this time
due to the complexities of Oklahoma City and State of Oklahoma laws. However, you
can build a "Sawdust Toilet" as described in Chapter 8 of the Humanure Handbook,
referenced in Appendix 3.4, to have on hand for use during emergencies. Because
sawdust is not readily available in this neighborhood, use chopped straw and/or leaves
instead of sawdust. Place a small amount of this organic matter in the bottom of the
bucket. Each time you use it, add more organic matter. When full, empty the bucket into
a composting bin located in the southeast corner of the property. Locate this
composting toilet in the bathroom on the west side of the house where there is room for
it. Appendix 3.3 has a source for a toilet seat that snaps onto a bucket at III-16.
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2.2 Shelter
2.2.1 The house
Shelter 1 Develop better accommodations for guests and travelers
Use this procedure for housing large groups (8 to 12) of students: Remove the furniture
in the living room area and store it in the storage building, on the porch of the house, or
in other rooms of the house. Provide each guest with an area rug approximately the size
of a sleeping bag and an air mattress. I suggest 10 air mattresses for this purpose, plus
a foot-operated air pump for inflating them. When not used for sleeping, store the air
mattresses and rugs (rolled up and enclosed in plastic) in the walk-through closet
between the office and living area. For single travelers, I recommend a hide-a-bed
couch in the living room.
Shelter 2 Decorate walls with musical instruments.
Decorate the walls of the living room with acoustic and percussion instruments. When
you go into hootenanny mode with visitors, the instruments provide the basics of some
interesting jam sessions.
Shelter 3 Don’t tear out the natural gas chimneys and fireplaces.
You asked for ideas about using the natural gas chimneys and fireplaces but after some
thought it is not obvious to me what alternative uses are available for them. It is likely
that their thermal mass plays a role in moderating the temperatures of the rooms they
are in during both the winter and the summer.
As you gain more personal experience with your passive heating and cooling system,
you may devise a future use for these fixtures.
Therefore, leave them in place.
Shelter 4 Plan for meetings and acquire suitable equipment.
The living room is the primary meeting room of the house. I suggest buying 20 used
folding or stackable chairs. Keep them in the storage building for use in meetings in the
house. An easel, blackboard, and large clock are also useful for meetings.
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Shelter 5 Enclose the front porch.
To create a pleasant mosquito and fly-free sitting area for the summer months, enclose
the front porch with screen. This requires building frames within the existing supports
for the porch and installing window screen. You need two screen doors for the steps.
Install storm windows over these screens. Put the storm windows on during the winter
months, thus shielding the north wall, the two north doors, and four north-facing
windows from the winter winds. In the meantime, during the winter, sheets of plastic
serve the same purpose. Sheets of clear acrylic, cut to fit, and held in place with bolts
and wing nuts, are a low cost alternative to storm windows that work with the frames for
the screens.
2.2.2 The storage building
Shelter 6 Repair the Storage Building Roof with an eco-friendly
roofing material.
Replace the roof of the storage building using Ondura roofing panels. Fifty percent of
the material used to make Ondura roofing panels is post consumer recycled material
(mostly paper). Appendix 3.3 has a list of suppliers of the Ondura panels at III-9.
Appendix 3.3 also references a contractor who can do this work at III-9. Recycle the
wooden shingles for fuel.
Shelter 7 Renovate the porch and exterior of the storage building.
Replace the ceiling of the porch with plywood.
The exterior of the storage building is deteriorating asphalt shingles over wood siding.
Removing those shingles creates another problem -- disposal of the debris. Therefore,
simply cover the exterior of the storage building with wooden siding, using the "board
and batten" method. Nail the lumber planks to the wall, and then nail small planks over
the seams where 2 boards meet. Red cedar is readily available in Oklahoma, and
rough-cut boards of the tree make an attractive exterior that does not need paint or
stain. The Oklahoma Food Cooperative has one farm that supplies red cedar lumber.
Appendix 3.3 has a list of suppliers of red cedar lumber at III-11.
2.2.3 Privacy Improvements
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Shelter 8 Reinforce your perimeter hedge
The perimeter of the property has a young but growing hedge of native roses and
Nanking cherries. As recommended in Food 18, add more of these same plants to your
perimeter hedge. This hedge serves several functions:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Increased food protection,
More privacy,
Including thorny plants like the rose and dewberry in the hedge helps discourage
trespassing and theft from the garden,
Improves the aesthetics of the property, and
Provides food and other useful plant products.
Shelter 9 Build a fence to connect the house and the storage building.
Connect the storage building and the house with a wood stake fence, as indicated in
Figure 23. This fence:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Increases the security of the future root cellar,
Creates a nicely shaded hidden courtyard patio on the raised concrete pad
(between the cellar and the storage building),
Provides a surface to grow climbing vines,
Provides security for the wood storage.
Install two 4-1/2 feet wide gates over the driveway. During the winter, open these gates
in the afternoon to prevent shading of the west end of the sun porch. Configure the
gates so that they can be locked from the outside or the inside.
Place a third "single wide" gate at the south end of the fence next to the storage
building, to facilitate access to the courtyard patio and the cellar.
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In the courtyard area, place a table and chairs, together with shade tolerant plants in
pots. Appendix 3.5 has a list of plants that do well in containers and tolerate shade, as
well as shade loving climbing vines.
Figure 22:
Location of fence,
fence, cellar,
cellar, and new courtyard sitting area.
Shelter 10 Build a front gate.
Place a gate at the public sidewalk end of the arbor on the north side of the house that is
recommended in Food 19. On either side of the arbor, bushes create a hedge. Hang a
bell on the arbor to alert the residents that someone is at the front gate.
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2.3 Access
Access 1 Choose more eco-friendly methods of travel
Walk, take the bus, and ride bicycles whenever possible. Start with one "car-free" day
per week and increase the number of car-free days over time. Use the Geo Metro for all
motor transportation. Use the pickup only when no other method of transportation will
work, such as pulling a trailer loaded with tons of food or hauling ice chests to the food
coop's delivery day.
The bus to Bob's work is Route 8, and its closest bus stop is only three blocks from the
house. While there is a 30-minute walk to Epiphany Church at the end of the bus line,
your doctor recommends daily walking for exercise. Since there are supermarkets, thrift
stores, used bookstores, dollar stores, restaurants, the household's doctor, and
pawnshops within walking distance of the design property, there is no need to use the
pickup to access these shops.
Appendix 3.9 has a list of the routes, bus stops, and distance in blocks to the stop, and
the destinations of the routes.
Access 2 Refurbish the electric assist bicycle and purchase an adult
trike.
You already own an electric assist bicycle and adult tricycle. I suggest replacing the
batteries and tires so the bicycle is road-worthy and then that bicycle will be available for
Sean to ride. Build trailers for the bicycle and adult trike so that stuff can be hauled with
it. Several possible designs can be found in the Cart Book by William Sullivan,
referenced in Appendix 3.4. Purchase spare parts for the bicycle, tires, and the electric
motor in case of need. Carry a bicycle patch kit and air pump with you when riding the
bicycle. Purchase and use bicycle helmets.
Access 3 Bicycle route to Bob's work
Here is a suggested bicycle route to Bob and Sean's work, provided for this report by
members of the Oklahoma City Bicycling Club. Most of the travel is on residential
streets.
Go west on NW 19th street to Ann Arbor. Go north on Ann Arbor to NW
50th. Go west on NW 50th to Park. Take Park north to NW 58th, then go
west on NW 58th to Mueller. Mueller runs into 63rd. Go left (west) and
make a quick right onto Lyrewood Lane. Stay on Lyrewood until it ends at
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Wilshire. Make a right on Wilshire and cross NW Expressway where it
becomes Brookside. Take Brookside to Broadmoore and make a left onto
Broadmoore and then a right on Arlington. Go left on Lansbook Lane. You
will come out on Britton and then in a short distance you are at Epiphany
Church.
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2.4 Energy
2.4.1 Passive heating and cooling
Energy 1 Do a Home Energy Audit of the house.
This will help uncover any energy/insulation/air leak problems with the house. Appendix
3.3 has a list of local suppliers of this service at III-4.
Energy 2 Learn how to operate your passive solar heating and cooling
systems.
Operating a passive solar heating and cooling system is both art and science. Careful
observation over time helps you learn more about the operations of passive solar
heating and cooling systems. Place a thermometer in each room so you can monitor
temperatures and keep good records
Energy 3 Install grills to facilitate ventilation and heat transmission
Based on observations since 2005, make additional interior ventilation openings close to
the ceilings and near the floor. In the days before air conditioning in Oklahoma, many
doors had “transoms” – a hinged window above a door that could be opened for
ventilation. In the winter, these ventilation openings help move heat from the sun porch
and the kitchen into the rest of the house. In the summer, these transoms help the heat
move out of the house when the whole house fan ventilates the house.
Locations for transom openings:
+ Above the doors in the kitchen that lead to Bob's office and the living area;
+ Above the door from Sean's bedroom into the kitchen;
+ Above the doors between the kitchen and the sun porch;
+ Above the double door between Bob's bedroom and office.
+ At each end of the hallway on the west side of the house between the living room and
the utility room.
+ Between Bob's bedroom and the living room area.
Use curtains or leveler blinds to cover the transom vents so that they can be closed or
opened as necessary to facilitate ventilation.
Cool air flows closer to the floor. Locations for the cool-air return vents are:
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+ Close to the floor in each of the interior doors.
+ Between Sean's bedroom into the sun porch.
+ Between the utility room and the sun porch.
+ Between the west bathroom and the closet, and the closet and the utility room.
+ Between Bob's bedroom and the living room.
Figure 23: Locations for ventilation grills.
Energy 4 Grow more summer shade.
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Additional shade is needed for the sunniest summer aspects of the house (northeast
and southwest corners).
Recommendation Food 19 suggests a new arbor for the southwest corner of the house.
This takes care of shade for the southwest corner. Until the plants at the northeast
corner of the house grow larger, build a trellis one foot away from the east and north
walls to shade that corner. Place eye bolts in the roof overhang and thread string
through the bolts. Loop the string down to the ground, and thread it through a pipe that
holds the string taut and keeps it from blowing around. Appendix 3.5 has a list of
suitable plants for this trellis.
Energy-5 Create shade for the solar sun porch.
Using the same technique recommended in Energy 4 for the northeast corner of the
house, create living shade for the solar sun porch during the summer. (See Food 22 for
a more detailed discussion of this recommendation.)
Energy 6 Make some improvements to the house's insulation.
The house has no insulation in its crawlspace. In central Oklahoma, the most common
method of insulating under houses with crawl spaces is to place rigid board insulation
(R-20 total) against the inside of the foundation, all the way around the house. However,
this puts the thermal mass outside of the insulation. A better alternative is to insulate the
outside of the crawl space, against the brick exterior. Place rigid board insulation
against the outside of the foundation, going down 6 inches below the soil line. Use
stucco wires and stucco to protect the exterior of the insulation from rodents and
moisture. Close the entrance to the crawl space that is at the northeast corner of the
house by installing a door that can be latched. Install a latch on the door to the crawl
space at the southwest corner. Put a vent in that door that can be opened and closed.
During the summer, at night, draw cool air through the crawl space into the house with
the whole house fan.
Add another R25 in cellulose insulation to the attic, bringing it to R-75. The calculations
showing the benefit of this are in Appendix 3.11.
Energy 7 Use area rugs in the winter.
Rugs can provide extra insulation and increase the comfort level during the winter.
Since the floors are presently non-insulated, explore your options for increasing the
insulating value of the area rugs. Your friend Mary Freeh can assist you in preparing a
fabric-insulating pad for the rugs that is durable. Remove the rugs in the summer and
storing them for the following winter. Use close weave rugs, made from natural
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materials, in a variety of sizes and colors to add interest to the interior environment.
Monitor the summer storage to ensure that rats and mice do not nest in the rugs.
Energy 8 Make R-20 insulating shutters for the windows.
Make each shutter from four layers of three-quarter inch rigid insulation, giving the
shutter an R-20 insulation value. Hold the layers together at the edges with aluminum
foil tape. Enclose each shutter with a canvas slipcover with handles so they are easy to
pick up. Use one of these three designs, depending on the location of the windows:
(1)
(2)
(3)
A shutter that fits inside the window wells for the north windows of the living room
and Bob's bedroom, the east and west facing windows in the bathrooms, and the
north and south-facing windows in Sean's bedroom and the utility room.
A shutter that slides on rails over the windows, for the east and west facing
windows. These shutters are held in place with a rail at the top with a lip. They
slide to either side to open the window to sunlight.
A shutter that covers the windows of the sun porch. These sit on the floor, and
are held in place at the top with a rail with a lip.
You need:
+ Four shutters built to fit into a window well that is 64" x 55".
+ 8 shutters built to cover a window well that is 64" x 55", on sliding rails.
+ Five shutters, 96" x 48" for the sun porch windows.
+ Two shutters, to fit into a 24" x 45" window well (bathrooms).
+ Two shutters, to fit into a 28-1/2 x 54-1/2" window well (utility room and bedroom.
The sun porch shutters are easy to make because each shutter is made from 4 full size
pieces of Thermax insulation board taped together at the edge with aluminum foil tape.
The other window shutters, however, are not equal in size in any direction to a 4' x 8'
sheet of Thermax. While you could simply cut pieces of 4 Thermax boards to make the
4-layer shingles, this would leave a large amount of unused material and drive up the
cost considerably.
This procedure, which is based on cutting fabric for sewing, uses all of the material of
each board.
+ For each window, cut two pieces of insulation board that are the exact size required
horizontally. These are the top layer and the bottom layer of an "insulation sandwich".
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Cut two additional pieces for each of those layers and tape them to the insulating boards
so they are the correct size vertically.
+ The two layer "filling" of the insulation sandwich consists of pieces of Thermax
arranged to make the two inner layers.
+ Lay the bottom piece of Thermax on a flat surface. Make layer two by assembling
pieces of Thermax to cover the first layer. Use aluminum foil tape over the seams to
hold the smaller pieces together.
+ Make the third layer using the same procedure.
+ Lay the second piece of Thermax, cut as one piece to the size needed on top. Tape
the four layers together at the edge with aluminum foil tape.
During the winter, except for the sun porch windows, take the shutters out of the southfacing windows when the rooms are occupied and there is direct sunlight coming
through the windows. Simply lean them against the wall under the windows. Slide open
the shutters for the east and west facing windows when sunlight is coming through
them.
Open the shutters to windows which receive substantial sunlight, and close those
shutters when sunlight no longer streams through the window. If you will be gone all
day, leave the shutters up except on the sun porch. In the summer, leave the shutters
up when there is direct sunlight coming through them, and take them down only when
the sun has passed and no direct rays are coming through the windows.
A rail with a lip at the top holds the sun porch windows in place. To put them up, simply
slide them under the lip and against the window.
Store the shutters for the sun porch windows against the north walls of the sun porch, at
the east and west ends of the sun porch, as indicated in Figure 25. Each storage will
hold 3 shutters that are 3 inches thick. Place a three feet long 1" x 2" board on the floor
nine inches from the wall, and another board the same size directly above the floor stop.
These boards keep the shutters from falling over during the day and blocking access to
the doors.
As resources become available, make a wooden case for each shutter. This improves
their aesthetics and increases household safety in the event of a fire.
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Figure 24 Location for storing sun porch shutters.
shutters.
Energy 9 Trim the elm tree to allow more winter sunlight to shine on
the sun porch.
Based on your observations 2005-2007, trim the lower branches of the mature elm tree
so that you allow more winter sun to hit the sun porch windows, but do not compromise
summer shade . Remove any dead limbs.
Energy 10 Optimize the efficiency of your solar sun porch.
(1)
(2)
Dirty windows do not allow as much solar radiation to transfer through the
glass. Clean all south-facing windows during the winter regularly to avoid this
problem. A window squeegee with a pole will be sufficient to clean the sun porch
windows, inside and outside, even after the growing bed/cold frame is installed
outside of the sun porch.
Paint the pavement outside of the sun porch white to reflect light. This
recommendation requires a coating that is formulated for use on exterior contract
pavements. Home supply centers carry a variety of products for this purpose.
Locations are given in Appendix 3.3 at III-10. Figure 26 shows the actual angle of
reflectance of the light hitting the pavement on the winter solstice in Oklahoma
City.
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Figure 25: Actual angle of light reflectance from driveway pavement
2.4.2
Wood stove
Energy 11 Follow important wood stove safety recommendations to
protect the household.
+ The house already has smoke alarms. Add a carbon monoxide alarm in each
bedroom and the kitchen.
+ The house has one fire extinguisher, generally kept in the utility room. Purchase two
more fire extinguishers and place them on the wall opposite the wood burning stove.
The kitchen, which is the location of the cooking stove and the wood-burning stove, is
the most likely place for a fire to occur so it is the proper place to concentrate fire-
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fighting equipment. There is easy access from the kitchen to all other parts of the house
if a fire occurs elsewhere.
+ Put stove ashes in a metal container and store them outside. Stove ashes may include
live coals that can persist for a long time. Store them so that no rain or snow can fall on
them, as water trickling through ashes will leach out nutrients. Do not put the ashes on
the compost pile because they will drive off nitrogen. Scatter them on the growing beds
and around the trees and bushes during the growing seasons, when the plants can take
up the nutrients before they wash away.
Energy 12 Harvest wood from your lot and neighborhood.
Each year you harvest more wood from your lot:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Wood trimmed from trees encroaching on the public sidewalks and the street,
Branches trimmed to keep them off the roofs of the buildings,
The persistent appearance of volunteer shrubs and trees in your yards,
Wood pruned from the fruit trees.
Most of this on-site wood will be in the form of sticks rather than logs. While you can
use some of this as kindling, fashion the rest into bundles for burning. Tie this additional
wood into bundles, 6 to 12 inches in diameter, less than 2 feet in length, so they fit easily
into your wood burning stove. Use string or twine, or experiment with securing them
with young green twigs that are supple enough to go around the bundles. Traditionally
these were referred to as "faggots", but that word for cultural reasons should not be
used when describing this practice to others.
To make up the difference between what you can harvest from your property and what
you will need for back-up heat, use the free wood you can pick up in the neighborhood
on the monthly "Big Trash" days.
Energy 13 Move the wood storage.
To make room for the vermiculture project and the water tank at the southeast corner of
the house, move the wood storage five feet straight south from its present location, as
indicated in Figure 27. The east boundary of the storage area remains the fence
between you and your neighbor. Move the west boundary of the wood storage one foot
west of its present location, to allow you to store more wood.
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Figure 26: Existing and new locations of the wood storage.
2.4.3 The Storage Building
Energy 14 Build an alternative energy system for lights in the storage
building.
The storage building is not connected to the utility grid. The primary need for electricity
in the storage building is for lights. The easiest way to provide lights in that area is to
use a marine or golf cart battery and inverter. An alternative to inverters would be a DC
light system. Use a trickle charger to recharge the batteries from the electric grid.
Section 2.8.12 has suggestions for what to do if the electrical grid is down. When the
planning process is completed for implementing Food 24, which involves building an
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aquaculture/greenhouse system in part of the storage building, additional electrical
arrangements will be required.
2.4.4 Materials Cycling and Waste Management
Energy 15 Create a materials cycling center in the utility room.
Locate the primary materials recycling center in the utility room, along the east wall to
the north of the door between the kitchen and the utility room. Use the metal rolling
table as the base. Store items to be taken to the hazardous material collection center
on the metal shelves of the rolling table. Place the two Oklahoma City “Little Blue”
materials cycling containers on top of the rolling table. Put materials to be cycled in the
blue containers.
Energy 16 Place additional materials cycling containers in areas of
high use.
Place a smaller materials cycling containers in Bob’s office
and Sean’s bedroom.
2.4.5 Other Energy Issues
Energy 17 Monitor appliances' energy consumption
Monitor energy usage for all electrical appliances on a rotating basis, using the
household's two Kill-a-Watt meters. Keep good records and note any changes in
electrical use. If the usage goes up for reasons not immediately apparent then
determine the cause and mitigate it. If you need more meters, Appendix 3.3 has a list of
suppliers at III-5.
Energy 18 Improve the household's laundry arrangements.
Add a wringer to your laundry equipment so you can get maximum value out of your
Wonder Clean hand washer. Replace your present clothesline (solar clothes dryer) with
a retractable clothes line, and move it to the raised concrete platform area that is the site
of the "hidden courtyard patio. This area is shady and that helps reduce the fading of
fabric colors. Set two poles as indicated in the drawing below to hold the retractable
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clothesline. Get an extra pole for each line so that it can be used in the center of the line
to prop it up when drying heavy items like towels or sheets.
Buy some indoor clothes drying racks. When it is rainy or very cold, dry clothes inside
the house. Appendix 3.3 has a list of suppliers of indoor clothes drying racks and
outdoor clothes line poles at III-15.
Figure 27: New location of clothesline.
clothesline.
Energy 19 Install a solar hot water system.
Install a solar hot water system on the roof of the house over the site of the existing hot
water heater and connect it to the existing hot water system. Use the panels and system
you have in storage and your electric water heater as the storage tank. The rooftop
system will require regular maintenance in the form of cleaning the panels.
I recommend a roof-top installation because there isn't room for the panels at ground
level on your site. Appendix 3.2 has local resources you can use to implement this
recommendation at II-12, and Appendix 3.3 has information about suppliers of solar
water heating equipment and installation services at III-14.
Energy 20 Recharge small batteries with solar power.
Because small batteries create toxic waste, minimize the household's use of small
batteries. Where small batteries cannot be avoided, use the rechargeable batteries and
the solar small battery chargers that you already own. Appendix 3.3 has a list of sources
for more rechargeable batteries and solar chargers if replacements are needed, at III-
72
13. When the rechargeable batteries are no longer usable, take them to the City's
hazardous waste disposal site.
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2.5 Water
Water 1 Install a rainwater harvesting and storage system.
Install a rainwater harvesting system on both buildings on the property. The house has a
footprint of 1,548 sq ft. The storage building has a footprint of 750 sq. ft. During the
lowest water year since 1995 (2003), 22.63 inches of rain fell on the roofs. The potential
water harvest that year from the house roof was 21,836 gallons, and the harvest from
the storage building was 10,580 gallons of water, for a potential water harvest that year
of 32,416 gallons. (The calculations for these totals are in Appendix 3.14.) To avoid
problems with the neighborhood association, screen or otherwise disguise the storage
tanks and barrels. This is easy to accomplish with the south yard of the storage building.
The tanks around the house require a more creative and decorative approach.
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Figure 28: Base map showing water tanks (blue circles).
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This design plans for on-site water storage for 11,600 gallons of water because that is
the amount that can be accommodated in the series of small circular tank cisterns and
barrels this design report recommends. An additional 4500 gallons will be stored in the
pond recommended in Water 7.
Your monthly household water usage in non-irrigating months is rarely over 1,000
gallons. During the irrigating months, this goes up to 3,000 gallons. 11,600 gallons
provides for about 11 months household water use without irrigation, or about four
months of irrigation plus household water use, not including the pond water. It is likely
that even with irrigation you would have more than 3 months water since if the situation
is such that you are dependent upon the rainwater for all of your household supply, you
would use your emergency compost toilet instead of flushing your regular toilet.
Because of aesthetic and neighborhood association issues, I do not recommend one or
two large tanks such as would be typical for a rural installation. While Oklahoma City
does not have a restriction on rainwater harvesting tanks, prudent urban design takes
into consideration neighborhood aesthetics and the attitudes of the neighborhood
association. In rural areas, this would not be much of a consideration, but in urban
areas, ignoring the existing neighborhood invisible structures would invite trouble.
The sizes of the tanks recommended below are based on the dimensions of tanks
commonly available from retail sources and the standard 55 gallon water barrel. If you
decide to use ferrocement and construct your own tanks, these dimensions may be
modified. My recommendations are generally wider rather than taller, because of the
need to either disguise or hide the tanks from public view.
Large Tank System
+ One, 4.3 feet tall and 7.25 feet diameter water tank, storing 1,100 gallons of water, at
the northwest corner of the house, and one 4 feet tall and 5.5 feet diameter tank, storing
550 gallons, at the northeast corner of the house. Disguise these tanks to look like
planters by facing them with red cedar plank fencing, brick, or concrete landscape
blocks. Place containers on top with plants that cascade over the sides, or trellis plants
up the sides. Appendix 3.5 has a list of plants suitable for this. These tanks could also
have plants growing on trellises up the sides.
+ Two, 4 feet tall and 5.5 feet diameter tanks, holding 550 gallons each, located in the
area between the house and the storage building. One is located at the southeast
corner of the house, between the vermiculture project and the south wall of Sean's
bedroom. The second is located between the elm tree and the storage building, in an
area to be cleared by removing the small extension of the storage building that juts out
from that building at its northeast corner. These are hidden from public view by the
fence and gate that connect the house and storage building.
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+ One, 4.3 feet tall and 7.25 feet in diameter tank, storing 1,100 gallons of water, on the
west side of the house, where the utility room juts out from the house. Disguise this tank
as a planter. A statue on top would be a nice aesthetic touch.
These 5 tanks store a total of 3,850 gallons of water.
You have two options for these tanks. One is to buy tanks from a commercial supply
house. The second is to build them using the ferrocement method described in Art
Ludwig's book, Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds, referenced in
Appendix 3.4. Face the smaller tanks around the house with brick that matches the
house, or planks of red cedar. Use the tops of the smaller tanks as locations for
container gardens and select plants that will cascade over the sides to further decorate
the tanks. Appendix 3.5 has lists of plants suitable for this purpose.
Install an overflow outlet on each tank. The overflow outlet must be at least the same
diameter as the inflow. The various berms and swales recommended in Soil 2 and Soil 3
will collect and hold run-off water from the tanks north and west of the house. The
overflow from the tanks between the house and the storage building flows onto the
concrete and down the driveway, where it is intercepted by the speed bump
recommended in Water 6 and directed into the yards.
The primary use for this water, except in emergencies, is for irrigation. Install a tap low
on the side of each tank so that a hose can be attached. Water comes out of the tanks
with gravity flow. The tanks around the house benefit from the existing elevation of the
area.
55 Gallon Barrel System
Besides the large tanks, install three units of 55 gallon tanks at these locations:
♦ Along the east side of the house,
♦ In the yard south of the storage building, and
♦ Along the north wall of the storage building.
Each of these 3 units of tanks is connected in series so that water comes in at one end
and fills each tank in that unit sequentially. At the other end of the unit is the overflow
and hose connections to drain the water for irrigation or other water uses. These 55
gallons tanks are 22.5 inches in diameter, and 33.5 inches tall. A double row (the
second row stacked on top of the first) of the tanks is less than six feet tall, and thus can
be hidden behind a fence. This plan is based on the rainwater harvesting system at
Rodney Love's house that you visited in Denton, Texas. Rodney is the owner of Tierra
Designs, which does professional design work for rainwater harvest systems. Appendix
3.3 references his contact information at III-12. The locations of the three rain barrel
units are:
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♦ East of house: install a single row of 16 barrels, holding 880 gallons. Screen them
from street view with a wood plank fence.
♦ Along the north wall of the storage building: install a double row of 30 barrels,
holding 1,650 gallons.
♦ South of the storage building:
+ A double row, 20 barrels, along the east fence, holding 1,100 gallons.
+ A double row,16 barrels, along the west fence, holding 880 gallons.
+ Two double rows, 60 barrels, along the west fence, holding 3,300 gallons.
Altogether, these barrels store 7,810 gallons, bringing the on-site water storage in tanks
and barrels to 11,660 gallons. The pond recommended in Water 7 adds another 4,500
gallons, bringing the on-site total to 16,160. An addition source of storage will be the
inside fish culture tanks.
The rain barrels are available at a variety of prices. I have seen 55 gallon food-grade
barrels for sale locally for as low as $5/each. On the internet, they range from $15 to
$65 plus shipping. Depending on the price you can find for the barrels, they can be less
expensive than the large tank option. I priced them in the budget at $20 each. They will
fit into places on your property where you could not place a large tank (concrete raised
platform between the storage building and the house, and the east side of the house).
In the south yard, by lining the fence with double rows of the tanks, you can store more
water than in the three large tanks previously considered for that area.
Additional Details of the Rainwater Collection Systems
Because this water may be used for drinking in an emergency, include water diverters
with the rainwater harvesting system so that the first flush of water does not go into the
storage tanks. The book, Rainwater Harvesting for the Mechanically Challenged, by
Suzy Banks and Richard Heinichen, referenced in Appendix 3.4, has information about
the alternatives that are available to you for this purpose in Chapter 4, beginning on
page 39. On page 43, there is a discussion of the various options for keeping the
gutters clean of litter and roof debris. The Texas Rainwater Harvesting Manual, also
referenced in Appendix 3.4, discusses these issues on pages 7 through 10.
Banks and Heinichen recommend a downspout every 40-50 feet (page 41). Each 10
foot long section of gutter should slope between 1/4 and 1/2 inch towards its downspout.
Rainwater runoff concentrates in the valleys of the roof, so besides the downspouts in
the straight runs, you need a downspout at the roof valleys.
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Use trunk pipes to move water from downspouts not directly connected to tanks into the
storage tanks.
Run pipe from downspouts not directly connected to a tank along the ground next to the
house to the tank that will receive its water. If the outlet of the pipe into the tank is lower
than the inlet of the downspout at the gutter, the pipe will drain as long as water is
flowing into the downspout. The trunk line leading to the tank is a 4-inch diameter pipe
(Banks and Heinichen, page 44).
Each trunk line needs a drain outlet at its lowest point. After the rain stops, drain the
pipes in order to keep mosquitoes from breeding in the pipes.
Besides storing water, the tanks provide structures for growing more food. The tank at
the southeast corner of the house shades the south-facing windows of Sean's bedroom
in the summer and moderates the temperature there during the winter. (Due to the
neighbor's fence and the location of the sun porch, that window does not receive direct
sunlight in the winter) The brick exterior and container plants on top of the tanks visible
from the street enhance the aesthetics of the property.
Appendix 3.4 has a list of information sources. Appendix 3.2 contains contact
information for people and organizations you can contact for expert advice at II-7.
Appendix 3.3 has a list of equipment suppliers at III-12. Figure 28 is the site base map
for the rainwater system. Figure 18 shows the location of the barrels south of the
storage building. Figure 29 shows the location of the water storage tanks north of the
house. Figure 14 shows the location of the water tank west of the house. Figure 22
shows the location of the tanks and barrels between the house and the storage building,
and west of the house.
Figure 29: Location of water storage tanks north of house.
Water 2 Develop an appropriate gray water recovery system.
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For kitchen and bathroom sinks, simply put a basin in the sink. Wash dishes in the
basin. Afterwards, carry the basin outside and pour it at a place that needs water. For
the shower, purchase a large tote that fits into the bathtub. Stand inside the tote while
showering. Afterwards, carry that tote outside and use it to water plants, or pour it into
buckets for transfer outside.
Water 3 Find the hand pump wells in the neighborhood.
Investigate the rumor that there are hand pump wells in the neighborhood. If you find
them, introduce yourself to the property owners and ask for any information they may
have about the wells. Ask for a sample of the water and have it tested.
Water 4 Develop a household water purification system.
Purchase a water filtration system for use during emergencies. The Banks and
Heinichen and the Texas Rainwater books discuss water filtration. Appendix 3.3 has
lists of suppliers of water purification equipment at III-18.
Water 5 Use water pots or jugs in the ground to water plants.
Use terra cotta pots, also known as "ollas", to water plants. Place them in the ground in
the areas that need water and fill them with a hose or bucket. This makes monitoring
water use easier and provides a gradual but steady supply of water to the plants,
minimizing run off and soil loss. You can make such pots yourself from unglazed clay
pots. Cement them together with a silicone adhesive. Seal the drain hole in the bottom
pot. Bury the container in the soil, leaving about 1 inch of the top pot showing. To make
it easier to fill with water, you can widen the hole in the top pot. Place a saucer on top to
prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in the water. Some gardeners decorate these
saucers. Fill with water as needed for the plants. Each olla waters an area about twice
the diameter of the pot. Don't use ollas close to shrubs or trees, as their roots may break
the pots. Appendix 3.3 has a list of suppliers of commercially made ollas at III-8.
Water 6 Install a "speed bump" on the driveway to intercept water
run-off and direct it into the yards.
Locate this bump where the sidewalk crosses the driveway. A speed bump located on
the same line as the west edge of the sidewalk intercepts water flowing off the upper
level of the driveway and directs it towards the yards west of the north-side public
sidewalk on the west side of the house and storage building. Soil1 and Soil 2
recommend shaping the soil levels in these yards and creating swales so water will run
off the sidewalk and into the area of the growing beds. This is not a negligible amount of
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water. The sidewalks and driveway total 2,022 sq. ft. of area, which is almost as much
as the water harvesting area of your building roofs. In the driest year of the last decade,
20,161 gallons of rainwater fell onto your paved areas.
Water 7 Build a pond between the storage building and the water
tanks.
This recommendation is a pre-design for an outdoor pond to be constructed between the
storage building and the water tanks. Water is a critical resource, but the site's ability to
store water in above ground tanks is limited due to the land use of the site and the
invisible structures impacting the neighborhood (i.e. the neighborhood association). An
in-the-ground pond can store several thousand gallons of water in a way that will not be
controversial with the neighborhood association. It provides an additional place for
growing food and raising fish, stores and enriches water for irrigation, and will be a
beautiful aesthetic addition to the property.
Make the dimensions of the pond 20' x 6' x 5'. This width leaves room for five feet wide
paths between the pond and the storage building, and the pond and the double row of
water barrels. The length leaves room for three feet wide paths on the east and west
ends, between the pond and the water barrels. This pond will store about 4500 gallons
of water.
For the design to be completed, the following items must be researched:
Best practices and materials for building the pond (walls, floor, lining).
Information about operating the pond with fish and water plants.
Caring for the pond in the various seasons of the year.
Strategies for water flows into and out of the pond.
Equipment needs (pumps, etc.)
Some of the items researched for the interior fish culture recommendation (Food 24) will
also be useful for this outdoor pond.
In the area where the pond will be constructed, there is an old natural gas line that
previously supplied a meter that provided natural gas to the storage building when it was
a residence. Contact Oklahoma Natural Gas and have that line removed. The sewer
line runs through that yard. While it is likely that it runs next to the eastern boundary
fence, and thus it will not be in the way of the pond, confirm that location before digging
by running a sewer line locator beacon through the area.
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2.6 Community
2.6.1 Markets, job opportunities
Market 1 Develop a contingency plan if one or both of the household's
"day jobs" go away.
If economic circumstances continue to deteriorate, your jobs may be at risk. Develop a
contingency plan, and update it as your circumstances change, to meet this potential
challenge.
2.6.2 Implementation skills available for hire or barter.
Barter 1 Trade skills to save money on renovation.
Bob can design basic websites, offer music lessons and entertainment for parties, and
assist with gardening. Sean has considerable experience in automobile mechanics and
construction. Both have considerable experience with do-it-yourself insulation projects.
2.6.3 Material resources for design implementation and
management
The following section (2.7, Economics) is based on the client interview, referenced in
Appendix 3.1.
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2.7 Economics
Budget 1 Increase your monthly principal payments in order to pay off
your debts in an accelerated manner.
Based on your 2007-2008 income, I estimate you need to make an addition $600/month
in principal payments in order to pay off all of your debt in 7 years.
2.7.1 Budget and narrative
The budget presented below reports prices prevailing in central Oklahoma during the
summer of 2008. As implementation proceeds, over the next 5 years, these prices will
increase. The government's inflation statistics likely under-report the real level of price
inflation. Therefore, estimate prices for future years based on a minimum increase of
10% per annum.
Your implementation work benefits from the substantial inventory of materials you
presently have in storage. Both of you possess great scavenging and "make-do" skills.
I encourage you to use those abilities throughout the implementation of this design. Any
material you can get for free represents money in the bank.
The budget below describes the amounts needed for items that you do not presently
have on hand and which will have to be bought. In some cases, alternative approaches
are reported, so the final implementation cost will vary somewhat from these estimates,
depending on which choices you make in your implementation.
This budget does not include funds for the pre-design recommendations Food 24 and
Water 7.
Table 1: Budget
PERMACULTURE DESIGN BUDGET
1524 NW 21st Street, Oklahoma City
Quantity
Cost
YEAR 1 PROJECTS
Access 2 Electric Bike
Batteries
2
$90
Project
Sub-total
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Energy 1 Home Audit
Quote from Guaranteed Watt
Savers, OKC
Energy 7 Area Rugs
Rugs
Energy 8, Window Shutters
Rigid board insulation
Canvas
Project sub-total
$450
$450
8
$160
$160
22
36 yrds
$220
$360
$780
Energy 10, Optimize sun porch
Driveway paint
3 gallons
$48
Energy 11
CO alarms
fire extinguishers
2
2
$50
$50
$100
Hazard 5 Emergency Equipment
Nozzles for water hoses
2
$10
$20
$860
Hazard 8 Food Storage
Shelter 6 Storage Bldg Roof
vented closure strips
OSB sheeting, 7/16th
roofing felt, rolls
Ondura panels, green
ridge vent
Ondura nails, 3 inch, boxes
Ondura nails, 4 inch, bags
Ridge caps
Non-vented closure strips
12" x 12" green flashing
Ventilation turbines
48
42
7
65
3
15
10
18
17
1
2
$106
$209
$98
$1,065
$34
$112
$75
$204
$130
$39
$100
84
20" x 20" green flashing
sales tax
Labor
Delivery
2
$86
$181
$3,000
$59
Project subtotal
$5,497
Shelter 1 Travelers
ten air mattresses
$176
$176
Shelter 4 Meetings
Blackboard
wall clock
$50
$10
$60
$8,241
Year 1 subtotal
YEAR 2 PROJECTS
Soil 1 curb wall
Concrete blocks
880
$1,338
$1,338
Soil 3 retaining walls
Concrete blocks
608
$924
$924
Labor for Soil 1 and 3 and other
Earth Works recommendations
Cook 1 outdoor kitchen
earth anchors
red cedar alternative
8" diameter logs
2 x 6 x 10 cedar planks
4" diameter logs
2 x 4 x 10 cedar planks
$1,000
4
$30
4
16
6
8
$112
$184
$69
$76
$471
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Cook 4 Food preservation
pressure canner
quart canning jars
pint canning jars
half gallon jars for fermenting
Energy 12 Sustainable wood
Trees
Large
96
96
8
$400
$112
$56
$15
$583
10
$20
$20
$180
$180
$15
$15
$18
$18
Energy 18 Improve laundry
Hand crank wringer
Food 13 garden records
Oklahoma garden planner
Food 22 planter box
mortar, bags
6
$860
Hazard 8 Food Storage
Water 5 Terra cotta watering
jugs
40 unglazed terra cotta pots
$80
$80
$5489
Year 2 subtotal
YEAR 3 PROJECTS
Hazard 8 Food Storage
Water 1 Rainwater harvesting
Gutters
first flush diverters
Downspouts
inside corners
outside corners
trunk lines
$860
21, 10'
10
9
9
260 ft
$151
$400
$88
$48
$48
$260
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Miscellaneous hardware
tanks (purchased)
fasteners,
drains
3, 4' x 5.5'
2, 4.3' x
7.25'
142 Rain barrels
$250
$1,476
$1,192
$2,840
$6,753
Ferrocement Tank Option
tanks ferrocement
water harvesting cost w/
ferrocement tanks
3,850 gal
$1,347
$5,432
$7,613
$6,292
Year 3 subtotal
Year 3 subtotal ferrocement
option
YEAR 4 PROJECTS
Cook 2 Root Cellar
Year 4 subtotal
$10,000
$10,000
YEAR 5 PROJECTS
Waste 2 Compost toilet
toilet lid for bucket
$14
$14
Shelter 5 Front Porch
acrylic sheets for windows
storm doors
2
$352
$160
$512
50 bags
1 day
$500
$30
$530
2
2
$200
$200
$400
Energy 6, Add Attic Insulation
Insulation
Insulation blower rental
Energy 14 & Hazard 12, Storage
Bldg Lights, Emergency Power
Batteries
Inverters
87
Year 5 subtotal
Total design cost
Cost with ferrocement tanks
$1,455
$32,798
$31,477
2.7.2 Analysis of on-site income potential
Econ 1 Make and sell artistic rosaries.
Bob has considerable expertise with making artistic rosaries from costume jewelry
beads and the household already possesses all tools required plus a considerable bead
inventory. Sean says he is willing to learn how to do this. The business involves
restringing costume jewelry beads as rosaries. Used beads are readily available at flea
markets, garage sales, and swap meets, and the cost of the beads per rosary is
generally $1 to $5, depending on the beads used. Findings and beading thread and a
crucifix run $2-3, depending on the crucifix. Sterling silver crucifixes run $5 to $10.
In the past Bob sold them for between $30 to $40 each (at flea markets). It takes about
an hour to make one, depending on the complexity of the design. Points of sale include
consignment sales through Catholic stores in Oklahoma and perhaps elsewhere,
Oklahoma City’s two flea markets, direct sales, and online sales via the
www.justpeace.org website. An investment of 700 hours of work during the year (about
7 hours each for Bob and Sean) to make rosaries, sold at the low price of $30/each,
would net about $11,000 year (after taxes and expenses of buying the beads and other
supplies and paying rent for flea market space). This could provide the additional funds
to pay off debts and provide funds for implementing the permaculture design.
Econ 2 Sell plants that are not normally available from local
distributors.
Growing and selling hard to get permaculture-type plants, such as medicinal herbs,
uncommon herbs, and larger plants like Siberian pea tree, is another business you
could start. Use the sun porch to start the plants, and nurse them along, selling them at
different prices depending on the maturity and size. Markets include the Oklahoma Food
Cooperative, direct sales, and the local farmers' market. If you sell 200 plants/year at an
average cost of $7.50/plant, that would add $1,500 in additional income, less the
expenses. In this case, the expenses are minimal, as many of the plants would be
started from cuttings and volunteers from your existing gardens and you already have a
large collection of pots suitable for growing plants.
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Econ 3 Present "Applying Permaculture Design Principles in the
Kitchen" workshops as a source of income.
Appendix 3.12 suggests developing and presenting workshops as a way to do
community permaculture outreach. While some of these can be presented at no charge
in low income areas, there may be a market for presenting such workshops and
charging fees typical of permaculture classes for the learning experience. Local groups
would sponsor and organize the workshops, with a presenter's fee paid to Bob for his
work during the weekend. If Bob sets his presenter's fee at $400 (plus expenses), and
does four such workshops/year, this adds $1600 to the household's income.
Econ 4 Make bulgur wheat and sell it through the coop.
You are experienced in making large quantities of processed bulgur wheat from whole
wheat kernels. Use this skill to make bulgur wheat and sell it through the coop. You can
use April Harrington's licensed commercial kitchen at Earth Elements Farms. Since
bulgur wheat keeps well, you can make a large quantity and store it, bagging it as sales
dictate.
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2.8 Hazards
2.8.1 Tornadoes and straight-line windstorms
Hazard 1 Build a tornado shelter/root cellar
The previous "refuge of last resort" (an underground parking garage at NW 21st and
Classen) is no longer available due to the conversion of the building from businesses
and office space to residential condominiums. A home tornado shelter also serves as a
root cellar and a place to age beer and wine. Recommendation Cook 2 discusses this in
much greater detail.
Hazard 2 Update your tornado contingency plans pending the
construction of the tornado shelter.
Until an underground shelter can be constructed, the household's present contingency
plan is to use the interior closet in the center of the house as a tornado shelter as long
as the predicted intensity of the storm is less than F4. If the storm is F4 or stronger, and
the neighborhood is in the pathway of the storm, seek underground shelter. The
basement of Gatewood School at NW 21st and Gatewood Avenue is the most likely
possibility, provided it is open. The basement of the chapel at OCU is also available,
but it is two blocks further away across a busy street. Buy two industrial hard hats with
ear and eye protection to wear when sheltering in the closet. These are useful safety
items to have on hand in any case. During an alert bring mattresses into the closet area
to cushion the occupants. During tornado season, empty the shelves above the clothes
racks in that closet.
2.8.2 Lightning
Hazard 3 Maintain your Uninterruptible Power System
Plug all critical electronic equipment (such as the computer, monitor, and printer) into
your Uninterruptible Power System with surge protection at all times.
Hazard 4 Suspend outdoor activities when lightning is present.
Use the "flash/boom" method for determining distance to a lightning storm. Five
seconds between flash and boom equals 1 mile of distance between you and the
lightning. Unsafe places outside during lightning storms include areas near metal or
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water, near electrical equipment, on hills and under trees. Turn off electrical equipment
and unplug it.
2.8.3 Fire
The design site is in a densely packed neighborhood. When a house burns, it often
takes the houses on either side of it; this happened recently on NW 21st just two blocks
from the design site. Being a corner lot, two sides of the house are not at risk of this. A
third side, the south, has a large concrete pad between it and the storage building.
However, the east wall is very close to the next house, and if that house burns, it is a
threat to the house.
Hazard 5 Acquire additional emergency equipment
Buy nozzles for the garden hoses so that if necessary, you can wet the roof to increase
its fire resistance. Purchase two more fire extinguishers for a total of three in the
household. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors at the specified intervals.
2.8.5 Interruption in regular food supplies.
Hazard 7 Support your local food system
Continue to develop and expand your access to local food systems through participation
in the Oklahoma Food Cooperative, farmers markets, and other direct relationships with
rural producers.
Hazard 8 Store 2 year's supply of food.
Store a two year supply of basic foods. Appendix 3.10 has a suggested food storage list
for the household. Store what you eat, and eat what you store. Date the foods and rotate
them. Some foods, such as canned goods, may be replaced by fresh produce from your
garden. In such cases, as the time for rotating such canned goods comes around, give
the unused canned goods for distribution to the poor, and replace them with new stock.
2.8.6Fuel storage (wood and propane)
Hazard 9 Store at least two cords of wood.
Based on your wood usage 2005-2007, store two cords of wood. The fence
recommended in Shelter 9 provides security for this wood storage area.
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Hazard 10 Store propane.
One of your backup cooking sources is propane. During the summer, cooking outside,
you typically use two 20 lb tanks for about 3 months of daily cooking. Store four 20 lb
tanks of propane. When not in use, keep the tanks in the storage building. Use smaller
tanks rather than larger tanks as they are easier to handle and move around and you
already have the smaller tanks.
2.8.7Severe cold, blizzards, ice storms
The Oklahoma City area is occasionally subject to periods of severe cold, usually in
combination with snow and/or ice. The Hazard 8 recommendation (food storage) helps
mitigate one of the dangers of severe cold, snow, and ice, which is access to stores.
The Hazard 9 and Hazard 10 recommendations (fuel) mitigate a second danger, cold in
the house.
Hazard 11 Prepare properly for winter travel.
When traveling during severe winter weather, carry the following items in the vehicle:
shovel, cat litter, sand, high energy food (such as chocolate candy bars, peanut butter
crackers, and/or trail mix), matches, flares, candles, dry socks, extra gloves, extra
stocking caps, dry clothing, and one blanket for each occupant of the vehicle. The cat
litter can be used to boost traction if you get stuck in the snow. Always dress warmly for
traveling, in case you have to walk in the weather. This includes hat, gloves, 2 pairs
socks, sweats underneath trousers, T-shirt underneath shirt, heavy waterproof coat with
hood.
2.8.9 Loss or contamination of the city water supply
Hazard 13 Increase your household water storage.
Until such time as the rainwater harvesting and storage system is in place, store at least
two 50 gallon barrels of water for each human resident and one for each of the dogs.
Use only food grade barrels for this purpose, and replace the water each year. Keep
them in the storage building.
2.8.10 Falling tree limbs
Several of the mature trees on the property, and on the neighbors' properties to the
south and east, have limbs that threaten damage to power lines, property, and humans
(if in the wrong place at the wrong time).
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Hazard 14 Trim limbs that threaten the property.
Examine each of the mature trees that is on your property or which hangs over your
property. Remove dead branches and branches that threaten the house’s electrical
supply line. Prune judiciously to preserve shade while lessening the danger of damage
to either building from falling branches.
2.8.11 Interruption of Centrally Generated/Grid Distributed Electric
Power.
Your household is dependent upon centrally generated/grid distributed electric power for
refrigeration, freezing, cooking, and communications. Prolonged interruptions of utility
service are becoming more frequent. In the last ten years, you have experienced four
episodes of power black-outs lasting 48 hours or more.
Hazard 15 Maintain a basic non-grid dependent electricity backup.
Your household already has 2 deep cycle marine batteries and a 750 watt inverter with a
1500 watt surge capacity. This is sufficient to maintain power to your freezer. It can
also provide some lights and power the black and white television you have in storage
for use during emergencies. You have solar batter chargers for your small batteries.
Test this equipment each year before storm season and before winter to make sure it
operates correctly and the marine batteries are at full charge. Purchase a propanepowered generator so you can recharge the marine batteries.
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2.9 Staging
This section stages the work involved with implementing this design over five years. By
properly scheduling work, you save time, work, and money in your implementation.
Some recommendations must be implemented before others are possible. Others do
not have pre-requisite recommendations that must be completed before implementation.
A third set of recommendations involve on-going changes in your lifestyle. While they
may have a discrete "start date", they do not have an "end date".
YEAR I: The Year of Getting Ready
Tables 2, 3, and 4 stage the first year's projects. The tables are followed by a narrative
which discusses the implementation in greater detail.
Table 2: Year 1 Implementation recommendations without pre-requisites.
YEAR 1 IMPLEMENTATION RECOMMENDATIONS WITHOUT PREREQUISITES
Cook 1
Build an outdoor kitchen and deck.
Cook 5
Create a food preparation area in the kitchen.
Cook 6
Create more food storage places.
Econ 4
Make and sell bulgar wheat products.
Econ 1
Make and sell artistic rosaries.
Energy 7
Use area rugs in the winter.
Energy 8
Make R-20 insulating shutters for the windows.
Energy 9
Energy 13
Energy 15
Energy 16
Food 7
Food 12
Food 23
Hazard 2
Hazard 5
Hazard 8
Trim the elm tree to allow more winter sunlight to shine on the
sun porch.
Move the wood storage.
Create a materials cycling center in the utility room.
Place additional materials cycling containers in areas of high
use.
Use your sun porch as a greenhouse.
Plant and cook alternatives to summer squash.
Make a container garden on the driveway.
Update your tornado contingency plans pending the
construction of the tornado shelter.
Acquire additional emergency equipment
Store 2 year's supply of food.
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Hazard 15
Shelter 4
Shelter 6
Soil 7
Soil 5
Soil 8
Soil 9
Electricity back-up
Meeting spaces and requirements.
Repair the storage building roof with an eco- friendly
material.
Compost in place.
Mulch areas not planted to ground cover.
Grow additional compost crops.
Plant nitrogen fixing Winter cover crops that boost soil fertility.
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Table 3: Year 1 recommendations with pre-requisites.
YEAR 1 IMPLEMENTATION
RECOMMENDATIONS WITH PRE-REQUISITES
Pre-requisites
ID
Shelter 9
Soil 6
Description
Fence/Hidden Courtyard Patio
Convert an old bathtub into a vermiculture
project.
Shelter 6
Energy 13
Table 4: Other Year 1 recommendations.
YEAR 1 IMPLEMENTATION RECOMMENDATIONS WITHOUT PREREQUISITES THAT ARE ON-GOING LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Access 1
Choose more eco-friendly methods of travel
Access 2
Refurbish the electric assist bicycle and ride it.
Energy 2
Learn how to operate your passive solar heating and cooling
systems.
Optimize the efficiency of your solar sun porch.
Energy 10
Energy 11
Energy 17
Energy 20
Follow important wood stove safety recommendations to
protect the household.
Monitor appliances' energy consumption
Recharge small batteries with solar power.
Hazard 3
Maintain your Uninterruptible Power System
Hazard 4
Suspend outdoor activities when lightning is present.
Hazard 9
Store at least two cords of wood.
Hazard 10
Hazard 11
Hazard 13
Hazard 14
Waste 1
Store propane.
Prepare properly for winter travel.
Increase your household water storage.
Trim limbs that threaten the property.
Use urine as fertilizer.
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YEAR 1 NARRATIVE
Nutrient Management
Soil 6
Convert an old bathtub into a vermiculture project.
This provides some of the high quality fertilizer you need to implement the food
recommendations of this design and support the existing food production activities of the
household. The pre-requisite for this recommendation is Energy 13. You must move the
wood storage in order to make room for the summer kitchen and the vermiculture
project.
Soil 7
Compost in place.
By simply changing the location of composting, you gain immediate benefits for the soil
without additional work. You avoid additional work later, since you won't have to move
the finished compost from the pile to the garden beds.
Soil 8
Grow additional compost crops.
Building the fertility of your soils is a high priority. Growing compost crops helps you
increase the amount of compost your produce on site. Compost materials produced onsite do not require loading, transportation, and unloading and thus embody additional
fossil fuel and human energy. Grow low-maintenance compost crops on-site, and
reduce the household's impact on the Earth.
Soil 9
Plant nitrogen fixing winter cover crops/green manures that boost soil
fertility.
This recommendation works closely with Soil 8. A nitrogen fixing winter cover crop is a
compost crop, but all cover crops do not necessarily fix nitrogen. While you may select
a non-nitrogen fixing cover crop for a specific purpose, absent other compelling
circumstances, support your soil's fertility by choosing nitrogen fixing winter cover crops.
Food Processing and Storage
Cook 1
Build an outdoor kitchen and deck.
This provides immediate benefits for the household by locating the summer cooking
area adjacent to the existing indoor kitchen. It provides shade to the sunniest aspect of
the house in the summer -- the southwest corner.
Cook 5
Cook 6
Create a food preparation area in the kitchen.
Create more food storage places.
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Cook 5 and 6 help the household manage its daily activities more efficiently.
Implement Cook 5 whenever it is convenient for you. It does not have a pre-requisite
recommendation. Cook 6 also does not have a pre-requisite, but it is a pre-requisite for
increasing your household food storage.
Food 7
Food 23
Use your sun porch as a greenhouse.
Make a container garden on the driveway.
These two recommendations can be implemented immediately to provide significant
additional food productivity for the household. Stock the greenhouse for the winter of
2008-2009 with some plants (such as hot peppers) brought inside from the 2008
summer garden, including some of the container garden plants such as chard.
Human Excreta Management
Waste 1
Use urine as fertilizer.
Implement this immediately to avoid wasting any more nutrients. It will be useful for
your summer garden and the new container garden.
SHELTER
House
Shelter 1
Shelter 4
Develop better accommodations for guests and travelers
Meeting spaces and requirements
These recommendations do not have any pre-requisites. I recommend implementing
them before the Creighton students arrive in March 2009, so that you are better
prepared for them and for other visitors who may come your way with little notice.
Storage Building
Shelter 6
Repair the storage building roof with an eco-friendly material.
Implement this recommendation immediately to keep the storage building from
deteriorating any further and to avoid price increases in the materials.
Privacy Improvements
Shelter 9
Build a fence to connect the house and the storage building.
This fence hides most of the exterior walls of the storage building from street views.
Thus, you get some immediate relief from neighborhood association/code enforcement
problems. (Items out of sight are generally "out of mind" of the code inspectors and the
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neighborhood association.) The fence can be easily removed when construction of the
storm cellar begins and then replaced afterwards. The fence creates the hidden courtyard patio, which provides you with a pleasant outdoor area for relaxation and
entertainment. It also provides security for the household's firewood storage. The prerequisite for this recommendation is repairing the roof, as you will need to put a
dumpster for the roof debris across the proposed fence line.
Access
Access 1
Access 2
Choose more eco-friendly methods of travel
Refurbish the electric assist bicycle and ride it.
These recommendations provide immediate benefits to the residents. They help reduce
the household's impact on the Earth. They do not have any pre-requisites.
ENERGY
Passive Heating and Cooling
Energy 1
Do a Home Energy Audit of the house.
The Home Energy Audit is the necessary first step towards completing the household's
energy work. It gives you an idea of the effectiveness of the work you did in 2005. If
there are problems, this will find them and thus enable you to correct them. This can be
scheduled at any time during the year. Since your utility providers do not provide home
energy audits, Appendix 3.3 lists the primary local provider of home energy audits at III4
Energy 2
Learn how to operate your passive solar heating and cooling
systems.
This recommendation is an on-going task that continues for as long as the property is
operated as a residence. It embraces science and art. Careful observation is critical to
success, which will increase the comfort of the residents and decrease their impact on
the Earth and its biosphere.
Energy 3
Install grills to facilitate ventilation.
This requires labor, but no expenditure of money at this time. It increases the comfort of
the residents and the efficiency of the house's passive systems. Use curtains or leveler
blinds to control and manage air flows.
Energy 4
Grow more summer shade.
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This recommendation is for the northeast and southwest corners of the house. It
provides an easy way to get shade for these unshaded parts of your house. Use planter
boxes or other containers for the climbing vines at the southwest corner of the house.
Energy 7
Use area rugs in the winter.
This recommendation is not a lot or work or expense and returns good comfort for the
investment. Implement this at the beginning of the 2008-2009 winter.
Energy 8
Make R-20 insulating shutters for the windows.
You already have most of the materials for the insulating shutters for the windows. Your
experiments over the last several years prove the value. The most complicated aspect
of this job is deciding on the most efficient way to cut the 4' x 8' sheets of insulating
material to fit your 64" x 53" window wells. Plan a half day workshop at your house to
make the shutters and teach others how to do this.
Energy 9
Trim the elm tree to allow more winter sunlight to shine on the sun
porch.
This is necessary to optimize the sun porch operation.
Energy 10
Optimize the efficiency of your solar sun porch.
The first aspect of this recommendation, cleaning the windows, is regular maintenance
and cleaning. Paint the driveway before winter cold sets in.
Wood Stove
Energy 11
Follow important wood stove safety recommendations to protect the
household.
Immediate implementation of this recommendation during the winter 2008-2009 heating
season is necessary for your safety.
Energy 13
Move the wood storage
This recommendation must be completed before implementing the vermiculture project.
Do this at the end of winter when there will be less wood to move.
Materials Cycling and Waste Management
Energy 15
Create a materials cycling center in the utility room.
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Energy 16
Place additional materials cycling containers in areas of high use.
You have the materials for both of these recommendations, so implementation is a
matter of rearranging the utility room and office area so there is space for this cycling
center. Making this task easier and less time-consuming frees up household time for
other important activities.
Other Energy Issues
Energy 17
Monitor appliances' energy consumption
This is primarily a recommendation to "keep doing what you are doing. You have nearly
two years of observation records for your chest freezer. The second major appliance for
monitoring is your freezer.
Energy 20
Recharge small batteries with solar power.
Batteries are hazardous materials. Minimize your dependence on them. Implement this
recommendation immediately to lessen the damage you create.
ECONOMICS
Econ 1
Econ 4
Make and sell artistic rosaries.
Make bulgar wheat products to sell through the cooperative.
As the design has developed, and circumstances continue to evolve, you are likely to
need more money earlier in the design. Sell the products through the Oklahoma Food
Cooperative, and consider other potential local markets such as farmers' markets and
independent grocery stores.
HAZARDS
I schedule most of the Hazards recommendations for implementation this year because
they are important for the health and safety of the residents and protection of their
investment in the property.
Tornadoes and wind storms
Hazard 2 Update your tornado contingency plans pending the construction of the
tornado shelter.
The fact that your neighborhood has never been visited by a tornado should not lull you
into the complacent assumption that it won't happen before you build a household
tornado shelter. Do this before the tornado season of 2009, and review your plans each
year before tornado season opens.
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Fire
Hazard 5
Acquire additional emergency equipment
Fuel Storage
Hazard 9
Store at least two cords of wood.
Hazard 10 Store propane.
These are part of your annual maintenance/utility expense. Propane tanks should
always be kept full. Weather and climate instability could take down the centrally
disrtributed electrical grid at any time. If this happens, you will need propane for cooking
and emergency pressure canning of your frozen meats and vegetables.
Severe Cold
Hazard 11 Prepare properly for winter travel.
Implement this at the beginning of the winter of 2008-2009. You already have everything
you require, you need to gather and organize and pack it. Traveling without proper
preparations during the winter is an invitation to disaster.
Water Supply
Hazard 13 Increase your household water storage.
Loss of water supply, although low probability in the near term, is a high impact event.
The closest surface water to your house is the North Canadian River, and its quality is
very poor. Thus, implementing this recommendation is high priority.
Falling Tree Limbs
Hazard 14 Trim limbs that threaten the property.
Do this before the winter of 2008-2009 to avoid possible damage to your house and
electrical lines.
Lightning
Hazard 3
Maintain your Uninterruptible Power System
Hazard 4
Suspend outdoor activities when lightning is present.
This is a matter of on-going policy. Electronic equipment should always be plugged into
an Uninterruptible Power System. While it is somewhat elementary to remind you of the
dangers of lightning in Oklahoma, complacency sometimes trumps common sense. Be
aware of the risks and take appropriate precautions during the often severe Oklahoma
weather.
Interruption of food supplies
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Hazard 8
Store 2 year's supply of food.
Begin implementing this the first year, and continue implementation over the next 2
years, dividing the amount to be stored among the 3 years. If funds are short in the first
year, delay this implementation until Year 2.
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YEAR II: The Year of Growing
Table 5: Year 2 recommendations without pre-requisites.
ID
Cook 3
Econ 2
Econ 3
Energy 18
Soil 1
Soil 3
Water 4
Year 2 Implementation Recommendations
Without Pre-requisites
Description
Get the equipment you need for food processing and
preservation.
Sell plants that are not normally available
From local distributors.
Present "Applying Permaculture Design
Principles to Food Systems" workshops
as a source of income.
Improve the household's laundry
Arrangements.
Build retaining walls at the curbs, raise the level of the yard
closest to the retaining walls, and shape the soil levels so that
the ground slopes towards the center of each yard section that
is west of the north-south public sidewalk.
Build retaining walls west and north of the house. Implement
Soil 1 and 3 as part of the same project.
Develop a household water purification system.
Table 6: Other Year 2 recommendations.
Year 2 Implementation Recommendations Without Pre-requisites That Are Ongoing Lifestyle Changes
ID
Description
Food 13
Food 15
Water 3
Energy 12
Keep good garden records.
Learn good pruning and grafting techniques.
Find the hand pump wells in the neighborhood.
Harvest wood from your lot and the neighborhood.
Table 7: Year 2 recommendations with pre-requisites.
ID
Food 2
Year 2 Implementation Recommendations
With Pre-Requisites
Recommendation
Pre-requisite
Rework the growing beds in the
Soil 1
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garden area west of the house.
Food 3
Use all of the growing season.
Soil 2
Soil 3
Soil 5
Soil 1-3, Food 2
Food 4
Food 5
Make a plant spacing grid.
Use companion planting techniques.
Food 2
Food 2
Food 6
Increase the vertical growing area.
Soil 1-3, Food 2
Food 10
Increase production of food
producing legumes.
Increase your production of
multiplying onions.
Improvements to the
fruit tree area north of the house.
Use the perimeter of the property for
food production.
Build more vertical growing
structures.
Reinforce your perimeter hedge.
Soil 1-3, Food 2
Food 11
Food 16
Food 18
Food 19
Shelter 8
Water 5
Soil 2
Soil 4
Water 6
Use water pots or jugs in
the ground to water
plants.
Build a swale and berm system in
front of the house.
Replace Bermuda grass with other
ground covers.
Install a "speed bump" on the
driveway to intercept water run-off
and direct it into the yards.
Soil 1-3, Food 2
Soil 1-2
Soil 1-3
Soil 1-3
Soil 1-3
Soil 1-2
Soil 3
Soil 1
Soil 2
Soil 3
Soil 5
Soil 1-2
NUTRIENT CYCLES
Soil Management
These recommendations play a critical role in reducing erosion and loss of nutrients
from the property. The proper preparation and shaping of the soil will make other
aspects of implementation and the maintenance of food production less work. These
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recommendations also enhance the aesthetics of the site, an important factor in
consideration of the problems of code enforcement.
Soil 1
Build retaining walls at the curbs, raise the level of the yard closest to the
retaining walls, and shape the soil levels so that the ground slopes
towards the center of each yard section that is west of the north-south
public sidewalk.
This work precedes other improvements in the growing areas because it involves
shaping the soil levels, thus reducing the loss of nutrients and soil erosion due to water
run-off from the site.
Soil 2
Build a swale and berm system in front of the house.
Implement after Soil 3 is completed so that there is a place for any excess run-off from
this system to be contained.
Soil 3 Build retaining walls west and north of the house.
Implement Soil 1 and 3 as part of the same project. The retaining walls make it possible
for you to shape the soil levels to hold water and retain nutrients.
Soil 4
Replace Bermuda grass with other ground covers.
This is an on-going activity. Begin this recommendation as part of the work of Soil 1, 2,
3, and 5 are finished. As you move and shape the soil, remove any Bermuda grass
stolons present in the soil.
Soil 5
Mulch areas not planted to ground cover.
This is an on-going activity. Commence this activity as you complete Soil 1 through 3 to
provide erosion control. In areas where you want to establish new ground covers, sow or
plant these onto the mulch (Soil 4).
Food Production
Food 2
Rework the growing beds in the garden area west of the house.
Once you complete recommendations Soil 1-3 and 5, this is the next project. It prepares
the way for growing more food and reduces the amount of work in the annual garden
beds.
Year II is the time to implement the following eight Food recommendations because you
have completed significant work in the growing areas and are ready to expand your food
production.
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Food 3
Food 4
Food 5
Food 10
Food 11
Food 13
Food 15
Use all of the growing season.
Make a plant spacing grid.
Use companion planting techniques.
Increase production of food producing legumes.
Increase your production of multiplying onions.
Keep good garden records.
Learn good pruning and grafting techniques.
Food Production
Shelter 8
Reinforce your perimeter hedge
Food 18
Use the perimeter of the property for food production.
Establish additional hedge plants this year. Last year you re-worked that area, creating
the retaining walls. The area is now ready for additional plants and shrubs. It will be a
good area for food production from perennials.
Food 6
Food 19
Increase the vertical growing area.
Build more vertical growing structures.
Proceed with the vertical growing projects this year. They incorporate several functions.
Besides increasing food production, they provide shade and support energy
conservation.
Food 16
Make improvements to the fruit tree area north of the house.
In Year II, you are geared up to plant perennials. In this area you want nitrogen fixers,
nutrient accumulators, insect attractors, and mulch plants. They support the fruit
production of the area.
Food Processing and Storage
Cook 3
Get the equipment you need for food processing and preservation.
Since your food production will increase this year, now is the time to buy items that you
cannot make or build, such as a large pressure canning kettle, more canning jars, etc.
The list of suggested equipment is in Appendix 3.10 .
Water
Water 3
Find the hand pump wells in the neighborhood.
This recommendation does not require spending money, but rather an investment of
time.
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Water 5
Use water pots or jugs in the ground to water plants.
Now that you have built new garden beds, implement this method of watering to save
time and money.
Water 6
Install a "speed bump" on the driveway to intercept water run-off and direct
it into the yards
After you have shaped the soils and built the swales and berms recommended for this
year, install the "speed bump" to direct the water that presently runs down the driveway
off of the property into the growing areas on the north and south sides of the driveway.
Energy
Energy 12
Harvest wood from your lot and the neighborhood.
This recommendation is an on-going process.
Energy 18
Improve the household's laundry arrangements.
This recommendation does not have a pre-requisite so it may be scheduled at any time
this year .
Water
Water 4
system.
Develop a household water purification
This is primarily a matter of shopping and finding the right system that meets your needs
for drinking and cooking water.
Economic
Econ 2
Sell plants that are not normally available from local distributors.
Econ 3
Present "Applying Permaculture Design Principles in the Kitchen"
workshops as a source of income.
These recommendations help you increase the household's income in order to achieve
your financial goals and finish implementation.
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YEAR III: The Year of Water
The projects selected for the third year involve primarily water and increasing food
production.
Table 8: Year 3 recommendations without pre-requisites.
ID
Energy 19
Food 9
Food 22
Water 2
Year 3 Implementation Recommendations
Without Pre-requisites
Description
Install a solar hot water system.
Preserve heirloom plants and save seeds.
Build a planter box by the sunspace.
Develop an appropriate gray water
Recovery system.
Table 9: Year 3 recommendations with pre-requisites.
ID
Energy 8
Year 3 Implementation Recommendations
With Pre-requisites
Description
Pre-requisites
Create shade for the solar sun porch.
Food 22
Food 1
Increase the area for food production.
Food 8
Make cold frames to increase winter
food production.
Add more perennial food
producing/useful plants to the garden.
Install a rainwater
Harvesting and storage
system.
Food 14
Water 1
Soil 1,2,3, Food 2, Food
19
Soil 1,2,3, food 2
Soil 1,2,3, food 2
Energy 13 (moving
wood pile), fixing the
roof of the little house,
food 22
Food
Food 1
Food 8
production.
Food 9
Food 14
Increase the area for food production.
Make cold frames to increase winter food
Preserve heirloom plants and save seeds.
Add more perennial food producing/useful plants to the garden.
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The work of the previous two years laid the groundwork (literally) for expansion of the
food producing areas. The implementation schedule for years I and II are pre-requisites
for these recommendations.
Food 22
Build a planter box by the sunspace.
This recommendation is primarily a food production project. Build this planter box out of
ferrocement, as a way to get practice with a small job before you try building large water
tanks using that method. While it could be done in an earlier year, both year I and year
II have lots of work.
Energy 5
Create shade for the solar sun porch.
After you build the sun porch planter box, you have the structure and the soil necessary
to create this living shade structure.
Energy 19
Install a solar hot water system.
This energy conservation recommendation works well with the other water work you do
this year.
Water 1
Water 2
Install a rainwater harvesting and storage system.
Develop an appropriate gray water recovery system.
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YEAR IV: The Underground
Table 10: Year 4 recommendations.
ID
Cook 2
Food 17
Food 21
Cook 2
Hazard 1
Year 4 Implementation Recommendations
Description
Pre-requisites
Build a root cellar/tornado shelter. Same Fix storage bldg roof
as Hazard 1.
Increase food production
Water harvesting
South of the storage
project,
Building.
Monitor the shade cast by
Increase hedge
the perimeter hedge.
Build a root cellar/tornado shelter.
Build a tornado shelter/root cellar
This is a major job, involving much expense. Thus, it is the primary implementation step
for Year IV. The only pre-requisite for this job is repairing the roof of the storage
building, as the best site for the dumpster for the roof debris is the site of the cellar. This
was accomplished in Year 1.
Food 17
Increase food production south of the storage building.
In Year III, you completed the water harvesting project, so there is no further work
scheduled for the area south of the storage building. Thus, you can procede with
creating growing beds and planting expaliered trees around the water tanks.
Food 21
Monitor the shade cast by the perimeter hedge.
As the shade cast by the perimeter hedge increases, monitor its impact on the growing
areas to the east of the hedge. Trim the perimeter hedge as necessary to avoid
negative shade impacts on the production of the annual growing beds.
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YEAR V: The Final Touches
Food 24
Create a greenhouse/fish culture system in the storage building.
Water 7
Build a pond between the storage building and the water tanks.
Implementing these two projects requires that you complete their design process so you
are fully informed of the tasks involved, supplies needed, and their expected costs.
Shelter 5
Enclose the front porch.
This project has no pre-requisites, but is placed in the fifth year because other projects
have greater priority.
Shelter 10
Build a front gate.
By the fifth year, the hedge on either side of that structure will make the gate sensible
from aesthetic and privacy viewpoints. The pre-requisites for this work are Soil 2 and
Soil 3.
Energy 6
Make some improvements to the house's insulation.
This is placed in the fifth year because of its expense.
Energy 14
Shelter 7
Build an alternative energy system for lights in in the Storage
Building.
Renovate the porch and exterior of the storage building.
Having completed other higher priority projects, you can turn you attention to aesthetic
issues. While much of this building is now hidden from public view, renovating the porch
and exterior will remove any further threats from code enforcement regarding this
building.
Food 20
Plant a medicinal garden.
By this stage of the implementation, your personal study of herbal remedies has
progressed to the point where you can make some sensible decisions about what
medicinal plants are most useful to the household.
Hazard 6
Place flower pots along the perimeter of the property.
This could also be implemented the second year, when the retaining walls are
completed.
112
Waste 2
Build a sawdust/straw toilet.
A composting toilet in an urban area is an advanced permaculture structure. By the fifth
year, you have more experience with nutrient management, and your property is
producing an abundance of compost material.
Shelter 2
Decorate walls with musical instruments.
This can be an on-going project, as your choice of musical instruments is influenced by
used items that you find at garage sales and flea markets.
Cook 4
Build a solar food dryer.
Although not overly complicated as a project, the previous four years have plenty to do.
Also, it makes sense to build this food preservation structure after you increase your
food production.
Table 11: Year 5 recommendations.
ID
Cook 4
Energy 6
Energy 14
Food 20
Shelter 2
Shelter 5
Shelter 7
Shelter 10
Food 24
Water 7
Waste 2
Year 5 Implementation Recommendations
Description
Pre-requisites
Build a solar food dryer.
Make some
Improvements to the
house's insulation.
Build an alternative
energy system for
lights in Building 2.
Plant a medicinal
Soil 1, 2, 3, Food 2
garden.
Decorate walls with musical
instruments.
Enclose the front porch.
Renovate the porch
and exterior of the
storage building.
Build a front gate.
Soil 2
Soil 3.
Create a greenhouse/fish culture
Completion of the
system in the storage building.
design work.
Build a pond between the storage
Completion of the
building and the water tanks.
design work.
Build a sawdust/straw toilet.
113
114
3.0 Appendices
Appendix 3.1 Client survey
The Waldrop design site client survey is not included with this copy of the Gatewood
Urban Homestead Design. The questions are copyrighted by Dan and Cynthia
Hemenway, and cannot be used without a license from them.
Additional background about the design site can be found at Bob Waldrop's websites -www.bettertimesinfo.org (plant lists) and www.energyconservationinfo.org (energy
conservation).
115
Appendix 3.2 Resources (places to get info and skills
support)
II1 -- Government Regulations
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Nursery
Rules and licensing for commercial greenhouses and nurseries
2800 N. Lincoln Blvd.
OKC, OK 73105
405-522-0909
http://www.oda.state.ok.us/
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
Environmental issues in Oklahoma, including specific hazards
DEQ operations are in office buildings throughout the city. To contact specific programs,
call DEQ information at 405-702-1000.
http://www.deq.state.ok.us/
City of Oklahoma City
Building codes, permits, and recycling programs
420 W. Main
OKC, OK 73102
405-297-2535 (access to city departments)
www.okc.gov
Metropolitan Environmental Trust
Information about recycling
201 W. 5th Street # 600
Tulsa, OK 74103
1-918-584-0584
http://www.metrecycle.com/
II2 -- Libraries
Metropolitan Public Library
Downtown branch
300 Park Ave.
OKC, OK 73102
116
Oklahoma City University Library
2501 N. Blackwelder
OKC, OK 73106
II3 -- Organic Gardening and Seed Saving
The Homestead School
Bruce and Barbara Johnson
7605 N. Post Road
Spencer, OK 73084
405-771-3551
Art Mertens
35 years experience with organic gardening, he built his own house from
primarily recycled/salvaged materials
9932 E. Wilshire
Spencer, Ok 73084
405-771-3202
Oklahoma City Organic Gardeners Association
POB 75602
OKC, OK 73147
Seed Savers Exchange
3076 N. Winn Road
Decorah, IA 52101
II4 -- Pre-20th century prairie technologies, including Native American lore and skills,
seed saving techniques.
Kathy Tibbits
Route 1, Box 130
Stillwell, OK 74960
kathytibbits@intellex.com
918/696-3175
II5 -- Plant varieties suited for central Oklahoma,
Oklahoma, plant identification, horticultural
information, pest ID.
Oklahoma County Extension
930 N. Portland
OKC, OK 73107
117
405-713-1125
Oklahoma Native Plant Society
2435 S. Peoria
Tulsa, OK
74114
http://www.usao.edu/~onps/
II6 -- Public Transportation
Association of Central Oklahoma Governments
21 E. Main
OKC, OK 73104
405-234-2264
OKC Metro Bus System
300 SW 7
OKC, OK 73109
405-235-RIDE
http://gometro.org/
II7 -- Rainwater harvesting information
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
707 North Robinson
Oklahoma City, OK 731032
405-702-1000
II8 -- Storage of fuels and flammable chemicals
Oklahoma City Fire Department
Fire Prevention Department
820 NW 5th
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405-297-3584
II9 -- Sustainability information, specialized knowledge
Oklahoma Sustainability Network
3271 E. 2nd St, Tulsa, Oklahoma
www.oksustainability.org
II10 -- Trees
118
Oklahoma Urban and Community Forestry Council
1309 Rockwood Drive
Edmond, OK 73013
405-744-6593
www.okplanttrees.org
The Tree Bank Foundation of Oklahoma
16301 N. Rockwell Bldg. A
Edmond, OK 731013
405-330-4701
www.treebank.oktree.org
Oklahoma Native Plant Society
2241 Ravenwood
Norman, OK 73071
405-329-8860
http://www.usao.edu/~onps/
Oklahoma County Extension
930 N. Portland Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
405-713-1125
II11 -- Weather and Climate Info and Advice
Oklahoma Mesonet
120 David L. Boren Blvd.
Norman, OK 73072
405-325-2541
http://okmesonet.ocs.ou.edu/
http://www.mesonet.ou.edu/public/current.html
II12 -- Solar Hot Water Heating
David Nordahl
Briarberry Farm
12501 Maguire Road
Norman, OK 73068
119
Appendix 3.3 Suppliers
III-1 -- Artisans who can create decorative transom coverings.
Mike Hayes
The Woodchuck Chop
3020 N. Eastern
Moore, OK 73160
405-799-6437
III2 -- Coffee houses
Java Dave’s
10 NE 10
OKC, OK 73104
405-236-0272
Red Cup
3122 N. Classen Blvd.
OKC, OK 73118
405-525-3430
Starbuck’s Northwest Expressway #1
3301 NW Expressway
OKC, OK 73112
405-810-4976
Starbuck’s Northwest Expressway #2
8500 N. Rockwell
OKC, OK 7132
405-721-3158
Starbuck’s Northwest Expressway #3
5836 NW Expressway
OKC, OK 73132
405-720-5877
Starbuck’s Northwest Expressway #4
1901 NW Expressway
OKC, OK 73118
405-841-6500
120
III3 -- General Building Supply Businesses
Ace Hardware
Closest full service hardware store
2119 NW 23rd, Oklahoma City, 528-1515
The Lumber Shed
Closest full service lumber yard, locally owned and operated
2601 NW 10th, Oklahoma City, 5234-8416
Locke Supply
Closest full service plumbing supply
2812 NW 37, Oklahoma City, 946-5569
Faucet Parts Center
Parts for antique plumbing fixtures
4309 NW 39, Oklahoma City, 943-8851
B&B Sales
4 large warehouses of doors, windows, and many construction materials, much of
it used
2 S. Broadway, Oklahoma City, 232-3578
Habitat for Humanity Renovation Station
1800 N. Broadway Ave., Oklahoma City, 232-5592
III4 -- Home energy audit suppliers
Guaranteed Watt Savers
6444 NW Expressway
OKC, OK 73132
1-888-488-0206
http://www.gwssi.com/
III5 -- Kill a watt meter suppliers
Super Media Store
629 S. 6th Avenue
La Puente, CA 91746
www.supermediastore.com
636-363-1490
121
III6 -- Local bicycle and adult tricycle suppliers
Bike One
4205 NW 23rd
OKC, OK 73107
405-946-4123
Staton, Inc.
3310 S. Brunson St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73119
405-605-3765
http://www.staton-inc.com
III7 -- Materials to make curb and sidewalk walls.
Dolese Brothers
7100 S. Sunnylane Rd.
Del City, OK 73135
405-670-9626
Fox Brick and Stone
229 S. Agnew
OKC, OKC 73108
405-232-9008
III8 -- Ollas for Watering Garden Plots
East Central Ministries
123 Vermont NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 266-3590
www.eastcentralministries.org
Their ollas are made by volunteers and sold as a fundraiser for the organization and its
activities in low income neighborhoods of Albuquerque.
III9 -- Ondura roofing system suppliers
Home Depot
7400 S. Shields Blvd.
OKC, OK 73149
405-631-9600
Lowes Home Supply
100 SW 74
122
OKC, OK 74149
405-632-3535
Bill Bayliss (roofer who installs Ondura)
405-706-2309
III10 -- Paint for Driveway
Home Depot
7400 S. Shields Blvd.
OKC, OK 73149
405-631-9600
Lowes Home Supply
100 SW 74
OKC, OK 74149
405-632-3535
Chiri Enterprises
54 15th Street
Roxboro, Quebec
Canada H8Y 1N6
514-685-5826
www.chirienterprise.com
III11 -- Red Cedar lumber and posts
Red Cedar Creations
RR1 160A
Longdale, OK 73755
580-227-3198
Woodchuck Chop
3020 N. Eastern
Moore, OK 73160
405-799-6437
III12 -- Rainwater harvesting equipment and design
Home Depot
7400 S. Shields Blvd.
OKC, OK 73149
405-631-9600
123
Lowes Home Supply
100 SW 74
OKC, OK 74149
405-632-3535
Chappell Supply and Equipment
412 N. Rockwell Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
405-495-1722
www.chappellsupply.com/
Tierra Design
Rodney Love
306 Jagoe Street
Denton, Texas 76201
940-566-0517
www.therainharvesters.com
Rainfilters of Texas
POB 203113
Austin, TX 78720
512-257-7986
www.rainfilters.com
The Rain Well
3201 E. Pioneer Parkway
Arlington, TX 76010
817-652-6900
www.therainwell.com/
III13 -- Rechargeable batteries and solar rechargers
C.Crane Company
1001 Main Street
Fortuna, CA 95540
1-800-522-8863
III14 -- Solar hot water suppliers and installation
Harvest Solar
1571 E. 22 Place
Tulsa, OK 74114
124
1-918-743-2299
www.harvest-energy.com
III15 -- Suppliers of indoor clothes racks and outdoor clothes line poles.
Sears (for indoor drying racks)
4400 S. Western Ave.
OKC, OK
405-630-4709
Tabletop Homestead (for “T” poles)
RR 1 Box 10360
Foster, OK 73434
580-432-5004
Member, Oklahoma Food Cooperative
III16 -- Toilet seat that snaps onto a bucket
Cabelas
One Cabela Drive
Sidney, NE 69160
1-800-237-4444
http://www.cabelas.com/vprod-1/0009518.shtml
III17 -- Vermiculture supplies
Worm Solutions
3201 N. Richland Road
Yukon, OK 73099
405-417-4989
Member, Oklahoma Food Cooperative
III18 -- Water purification equipment
Rainfilters of Texas
POB 203113
Austin, TX 78720
512-257-7986
www.rainfilters.com
The Rain Well
3201 E. Pioneer Parkway
Arlington, TX 76010
817-652-6900
125
www.therainwell.com/
III19 General Equipment Rental
A&B Rent All
2324 S. Walker Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73109
405-632-9779
126
Appendix 3.4 References
Appelhof, Mary. Worms Eat My Garbage. ISBN 0942256107. Flower Press, 10332
Shaver Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49024.1997.
Ashworth, Suzanne. Seed to Seed: Seed Saving Techniques for the Vegetable
Gardener. ISBN 1882424581. Seed Savers Exchange, 3076 N. Winn Road,
Decorah, IA 52101.
Banks, Suzy and Heinichen, Richard. Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically
Challenged. ISBN 0966417062 . Tank Town Publishing, 1212 Quail Ridge,
Dripping Springs, Texas 78620. 2004.
Bartholomew, Mel. Square Foot Gardening. ISBN 1591862027. Rodale Press, 33 East
Minor Street, Emmaus, Pennsylvania 18098.1981.
Blumenthal, Mark, Senior Editor, Busse, Werner, et al. The Complete German E
Commission Monographs (Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines). Trans. by
Sigrid Klein. Austin, Texas: American Botanical Council, 6200 Manor Road,
Austin, Texas 78723. 1998.
Coleman, Eliot. Four Season Harvest. ISBN 1890132276. Chelsea Green Publishing,
POB 428, White River Junction, Vermont 05001.1992.
Emery, Carla. Encyclopedia of Country Living. ISBN 157061377X . Seattle: Sasquatch
Books, 119 S. Main #400, Seattle, Washington, 98104. 1994.
Guerra, Michael. The Edible Container Garden: Growing Fresh Food in Small Spaces.
ISBN 0684854619. Simon and Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, NY 10020. 2000.
Jeavons, John, Griffin, Mogador, and Leler, Robin. Backyard Homestead, Mini-Farm
and Garden Log Book. ISBN 0898150930. Ecology Action, 5798 Ridgewood
Road, Willits, California 95490.1983.
Jenkins, Joseph. The Humanure Handbook. ISBN 0964425831. Jenkins Publishing, 143
Forest Lane, Grove City, Pennsylvania 16127. 1999.
Kourik, Robert. Designing and Maintaining your Edible Landscape Naturally. ISBN
1856230260. Metamorphic Press, POB 1841, Santa Rosa, California
95402.1986.
127
Kuepper, George and Dodsen, Marti. Companion Planting: Basic concepts and
resources. Horticultural Technical Note # IP125/71. ATTRA, POB 3657,
Fayetteville, AR 72702. 800-346-9140.
Ludwig, Art. Water Storage. ISBN 0964343363. Oasis Design, 5 San Marcos Trout
Club, Santa Barbara, California 93105. 2005.
McHoy, Peter and Donaldson, Stephanie. Small and Container Gardening. ISBN
1840389672. Annes Publishing, 88-89 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HA, UK.
2001.
Mollison, Bill, with Slay, Reny Mia. Introduction to Permaculture. ISBN 0908228082.
Tagari Publications, 31 Rulla Road, Sisters Creek, Tasmania 7325 Australia.
1991
Smith, Edward. Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers. 1580175570.
Storey Publishing, 210 Mass Moca Way, North Adams, MA 01247. 2006.
Sullivan, William. The Cart Book, With Plans and Projects. ISBN 0830605126. TAB
Books, POB 40, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294. 1983.
Texas Water Development Board. The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting, 3rd
Edition. TWDB, POB 13231, Austin, TX 78711. 2005.
Toensmeier, Eric. Perennial Vegetables. ISBN 1931498407. Chelsea Green Publishing
Company, POB 428, White River Junction, Vermont 05001. 2007
128
Appendix 3.5 Species lists
blb = bulb
yng = young
mat = mature
Abbreviations used in these lists
drd flwr = dried flowers
leaves - lvs
frt = fruit
drd plnt = dried plant
seed = sd
st = stem
flwr = flowers
sp = sprig
TREES
Uses
Common
Name
Apple
Apricot
Black Locust
Botanical Name
Fig
Honey Locust
Mesquite
Peach
Pecan
Persimmon
Ficus carica
Gleditsia triacanthas
Prosopis glandulosa
Torrey
Morus nigra
Pyrus communis
sativa
Prunus persica
Carya illinoinensis
Diospyros virginiana
Plum
Quince
Prunus domestica
Cydonia oblonga
Edible, dye
Edible
Sour Cherry
Prunus cerasus
Edible, Insectary, habitat,
windbreak
Mulberry
Pear
Malus domestica
Prunus armeniaca
Robinia pseudoacacia
rt = root
sdp = seedpod
Edible Parts
Edible, smoking wood
Edible, wood, dye
Edible, insectary, habitat,
windbreak, fuel
Edible
Edible, Insectary, habitat
Edible, insectary, smoking wood
Fruit
Fruit
Seed, flowers
Fruit, fuel, dye
Fruit, wood, dye
Fruit
Fruit
Edible, smoking wood, dye
Edible, habitat, fuel, oil
Edible, fuel, oil
Flowers, fruit
Nuts
Fruit, leaves,
seed
Fruit, flowers
Fruit, seed,
flowers
Fruit
Fruit
Seedpods
Seeds, pod
129
Blackberry
Blueberry
Butterfly Bush
Black Currant
Elderberry
Golden Currant
Nanking Cherry
Red Raspberry
Sand plum
Siberian Pea
Shrubs and Canes
Botanical Name
Uses
Edible part(s) Sun
shade
Rubus SPP.
Edible, dye
Fruit, leaf
Semi shade
Vaccinium
Edible
Fruit, leaf
Sun or
corymbosum
partial
Buddleia davidii
Insectary, dye None
Full sun
Ribes nigrum
Insectary,
Fruit
Sun or
dye, edible
partial
shade
Sambucus
Edible
Fruit, flowers Sunny
canadensis
edge
Ribes aureum
Insectary
Fruit, flower, Sun or
leaves
partial
shade
Prunus
Insectary,
Fruit
Sun or
tomentosa
hedge, dye
partial
shade
Rubus idaeus
Insectary,
Fruit
Sun or
fiber, dye
partial
shade
Prunus
Edible, dye
Fruit
Parial
angustifolia
shade
Caragana
Insectary,
Seed,
Sun
arborescens
hedge, dye,
seedpod
nitrogen, fiber,
oil
Size
6'
3'
9'
5'
12'
6'
6'
6'
9'
10-15'
130
blb = bulb
yng = young
mat = mature
Abbreviations used in these lists
drd flwr = dried flowers
leaves - lvs
frt = fruit
drd plnt = dried plant
seed = sd
st = stem
flwr = flowers
sp = sprig
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Characteristics
Common Name
A,P,B Edible
Scientific Name
Part
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
P lvs,sd
Prunella vulgaris
All heal
P lvs
Aloe vera
Aloe
P lvs,sd
Centaurea Americana
American
A
basketflower
Angelica archangelica
Angelica
B lvs,rt,sd,s
t
Agastache foeniculum
Anise Hyssop
P lvs,flwr
Astragalus membranaceus
Astragalus
P
Pisum sativus
Austrian winter
A
peas
Ocimum basilicum
Basil
P lvs,sd
Monarda didyma
Bee Balm
P flwr,lvs
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Boneset
P
Borage
Butterfly weed
Borago officinalis
Asclepias tuberosa
Canna edulis
Canna
Canna x generalis
Canna
Carum carvi
Caraway
Nepeta cataria
Catnip
Cichorium intybus
Chicory
Allium schoenoprasum
Chives
Allium tuberosum
Chives, garlic
Dianthus caryophyllus
Clove pink
Trifolium incarnatum
Clover, crimson
Dalea purpurea var. purpurea
Clover, purple
prairie
Clover, white prairie Dalea candida
Symphytum officinale
Comfrey
Coriandrum sativum
Coriander
Cosmos bipinnatus
Cosmos
Primula veris
Cowslip
A
P
P
P
B
P
P
P
P
P
A
P
P
P
A
A
P
rt = root
sdp = seedpod
Light
sun
Sun/partial
sun
full sun
Size
1-3'
6"
1-3'
2-5'
Flower
June-July
July - Sept
partial
2-5'
July-August
sun
2-3'
9"
2-3'
July
sun
May - June
sun
1-2' Aug - Sept
sun/partial 1-2' June - Sept
dappled
3'
shade/ edge
flwr,lvs sun/partial 1/5' June - Oct
flw,lvs,rt,s sun/partial 10-20"May - Sept
dp
lvs,rt,sd sun
8'
Aug - Oct
Rt
sun
6-8' July - Sept
lvs,rt,sd sun/partial 1-2' June - July
lvs
sun
3'
July - Nov
flr,lvs,rt sun
3-4' Jul - Oct
flwr,lvs,rt sun/partial 1'
June - July
flwr,lvs,rt sun
9"
Aug - Sept
flwr
sun
3'
July - Aug
Sd,flwr sun
1.5' April - May
full sun
1-3' June - July
rt,lvs
lvs,sd
flwr,lvs
full sun
sun/partial
sun/partial
Sunny
Part-shade
1-2'
3'
1'
3'
6-8"
July - Aug
June - July
Aug - Sept
April - May
131
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Characteristics
Common Name
A,P,B Edible
Scientific Name
Part
Taraxacum officinale
P flwr,lvs,
Dandelion
rt
Dandelion, French Taraxacum officinale sativum
P flwr,lvs,
rt
Hemerocallis fulva
Daylily
P flwr,lvs,
rt
Anethum graveolens
Dill
A lvs,sd
allium cep proliferum
Egyptian onion
P lvs,blb,
top blb
Inula helenium
Elecampane
P lvs,rt
Fava beans
Vicia faba major
A
yng
lvs/sdp,
mat sd
drd flwr
Yg spr,
drd flwr
flwr,lvs,
sd
lvs,rt
Tanacetum parthenium
Feverfew
German chamomile Matricaria recutita
P
A
Good King Henry
Chenopodium bonus-henricus
P
Gotu kola
Centella asiatica
P
Hollyhock
Alcea rosea
P
Horehound
Horseradish
Indian blanket
Iris
Lady's Mantle
Lambs Quarters
Lemon balm
Lemon bergamot
Lime balm
Lovage
Marrubium vulgare
Amoracia rusticana
Gaillardia pulchella
Iris germanica
Alchemilla alpina
Chenopodium album
Melissa officinalis
Monarda citriodora
Melissa officinalis "Lime"
Levisticum officinale
P
P
A
P
P
A
P
P
P
P
Pulmonaria officinalis
P
lvs
lvs,sd
lvs
lvs
lvs
flwr,lvs,
rt,sd
lvs
Tagetes patula
A
Helianthus maximilianii
Ratibida columnifera
Mentha x villosa alopecuroides
Lungwort
Marigold
Maximilian
sunflowers
Mexican hat
Mint, apple
flwr,lvs,
rt,st
lvs
lvs,rt,sd
Light
sun
Size Flower
1'
April - May
sun
1'
April - May
sun,partial
3'
June – August
sun
sun
2'
2-3'
April - July
sun semi
shade
sunny
3-4'
July - Aug
3'
May
1.5'
1.5'
July - Aug
June - July
Dappled
1'
shade/ edge
dappled
6"
shade/ edge
sun
4-6'
May - July
July - Aug
July - Sept
sun
sun/partial
sun/partial
sun/partial
sun/partial
sun/partial
sun/partial
sun/partial
sun/partial
sun/partial
1.5'
2-3'
1-2'
2-3'
4-6"
2-3'
1-2'
1-2'
1-2'
2-3'
June - Nov
May - June
May - July
May - June
June - Sept
July - Oct
June - Oct
July - Aug
1'
March - May
flwr,lvs
full/semi
shade
full sun
1.5'
July - Oct
P
rt,sd
full sun
4-6'
Sept - Oct
P
P
lvs,flwr
lvs
full sun
sun partial
1-2'
1.5'
Aug - Sept
Aug - Sept
July - Aug
132
Common Name
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Characteristics
A,P,B Edible
Scientific Name
Part
Mint, chocolate
Mint, lemon
Oregano
Oregano, Greek
Pansy
Parsley
Pennyroyal
Pink echinacea
Plains coreopsis
Pot marigold
Prairie rose
Prickly pear cactus
Primrose
Purple Coneflower
Roman chamomile
Mentha x piperita
Mentha x piperita citrata
Origanum vulgare
Origanum vulgare hirtum
Viola tricolor
Petroselinum crispum
Mentha pulegium
Echinacea pallida
Coreopsis tinctoria
Calendula officinalis
Rosa arkansa
Opuntia polyacantha
Primula vulgaris
Echinacea purpurea
Chamaemelum nobile
P
P
P
P
P
B
P
P
A
A
P
P
P
P
P
Rose
Rosa rugosa
P
Rosemary
Rue
Sage
Salad burnet
Sorrel, bloody
Sorrel, french
Rosemarinus officinalis
Ruta graveolens
Salvia officinalis
Sanguisorba minor
Rumex sanguineus
Rumex acetosa
P
P
P
P
P
P
Spearmint
St. John's Wort
Summer savory
Sunflower
Sweet Cicely
Tall aster
Mentha spicata
Hypericum perforatum
Satureja hortensis
Helianthus annus
Myrrhis odorata
Aster praealtus
P
P
A
A
P
P
Tarragon
Thyme, basil
Thyme, caraway
Thyme, common
Thyme, creeping
Thyme, lemon
Thyme, wild
Trailing bellflower
Artemisia dracunculus
Acinos arvensis
Thymus herba-barona
Thymus vulgaris
Thymus praecox
Thymus x citriodorus
Thymus pulegioides
Campanula poscharskyana
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Light
shade
lvs
sun/partial
lvs
sun/partial
lvs
sun/partial
lvs
sun/partial
flwr,lvs sun/partial
lvs
sun/partial
lvs
sun/partial
full sun
drd plnt sun/partial
flwr,lvs sun/partial
frt,st
sun/partial
frt,sd,st full sun
flwr,lvs sun/partial
full sun
yg spr,drd sun/partial
flwr
flwr,frt,sd, sun/partial
st
lvs
full sun
lvs
sun/partial
lvs
full sun
lvs
full sun
lvs
sun
flwr,lvs,rt, dappled
sd
shade
lvs
sun/partial
lvs,frt,flwr sun/partial
lvs
full sun
flwr,sd,st sun/partial
lvs,rt,sd sun/partial
Full sun to
full shade
lvs
sun/partial
lvs,flwr sun
lvs
sun
lvs
sun
lvs
sun
lvs,flwr full sun
lvs
full sun
flwr,lvs sun/partial
Size Flower
1.5'
1'
1.5'
1-2'
6-9"
1-2'
1-2'
2-3'
1-2'
1.5'
3'
6-12"
1'
3'
6-8"
Aug - Oct
July - Sept
July - Sept
July - Sept
June - Aug
Aug -Oct
Aug - Sept
Mar - July
June - Nov
June - July
Dec to May
July - Aug
June - July
3-6'
June - Aug
3-4'
1-2'
1-2'
1.5'
1'
1.5'
Mar - Oct
Aug - Oct
June - Aug
May - Aug
May - June
May - June
1.5'
2-3'
1'
8-9'
3'
1-4'
Aug - Sept
May - Aug
July - Aug
July - Sept
May - June
October
1-2'
6"
2"
6-8"
3-4"
4-6"
4-6"
6-9"
June - Aug
July - Aug
July - Aug
June - Aug
July - Aug
July - Aug
July - Sept
133
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Characteristics
Common Name
A,P,B Edible
Scientific Name
Part
Light
Tussock bellflower Campanula carpatica
P flwr,lvs sun/partial
Glandularia bipinnatifida var.
Verbena, prairie
P
sun/partial
bipinnatifida
Verbena officinalis
Vervain
P flwr,lvs full sun
Malva alcea
Vervain mallow
P flwr,lvs.oil sun/partial
,sd
Vicia hirsuta
Vetch
A lvs,sd,st sun/partial
Allium fistulosum
Welsh onion
P flwr,lvs,rt full sun
Callirhoe involucrata
Winecups
P lvs,rt
sun/partial
Winecups, annual Callirhoe leiocarpa
A rt
sun/partial
Satureja montana
Winter savory
P Lvs
full sun
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow
P Lvs,flwr sun/partial
Zinnia elegans
Zinnia
A
full sun
Size Flower
1'
July - Aug
4-12" Mar - Oct
1-2'
3-4'
July - Sept
July -Oct
1'
1-2'
6-12"
1-3'
1-2'
1-2'
2-3'
May - Aug
July
Feb-June
March - May
July - Oct
June - Aug
June - Oct
134
Common Name
Herbaceous Plants -- Uses
Nutrient
Scientific Name
Accum.
Nitrogen
Hedge
Edible
Alfalfa
All heal
Aloe
American basketflower
Angelica
Anise Hyssop
Astragalus
Austrian winter
peas
Basil
Bee Balm
Boneset
Borage
Butterfly weed
Canna
Canna
Caraway
Catnip
Chicory
Chives
Chives, garlic
Clove pink
Medicago sativa
X
Prunella vulgaris
Aloe vera
Centaurea americana
Angelica archangelica
Agastache foeniculum
Astragalus
membranaceus
Pisum sativus
X
Ocimum basilicum
Monarda didyma
Eupatorium
perfoliatum
Borago officinalis
Asclepias tuberosa
Canna edulis
Canna x generalis
Carum carvi
Nepeta cataria
Cichorium intybus
Allium
schoenoprasum
Allium tuberosum
Dianthus caryophyllus
X
x
x
x
Compost
X
Dye
x
x
x
X
X
X
x
x
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
X
X
X
Clover, crimson Trifolium incarnatum
Dalea purpurea var.
Clover, purple
purpurea
prairie
Dalea candida
Clover, white
prairie
Symphytum officinale X
Comfrey
Coriandrum sativum
Coriander
Cosmos bipinnatus
Cosmos
Primula veris
Cowslip
Taraxacum officinale X
Dandelion
Dandelion, FrenchTaraxacum officinale X
sativum
Hemerocallis fulva
Daylily
Anethum graveolens
Dill
Allium cep proliferum
Egyptian onion
x
X
x
x
x
X
X
x
X
X
x
X
X
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
X
X
x
x
x
135
Common Name
Herbaceous Plants -- Uses
Nutrient
Scientific Name
Accum.
Nitrogen
Hedge
Edible
Elecampane
Fava beans
Feverfew
Inula helenium
Vicia faba major
Tanacetum
parthenium
Matricaria recutita
X
German
chamomile
Good King Henry Chenopodium bonushenricus
Centella asiatica
Gotu kola
Alcea rosea
Hollyhock
Marrubium vulgare
Horehound
Amoracia rusticana
Horsera-dish
Gaillardia pulchella
Indian blanket
Iris germanica
Iris
Alchemilla alpina
Lady's Mantle
Lambs Quarters Chenopodium album X
Melissa officinalis
Lemon balm
Lemon bergamot Monarda citriodora
Melissa officinalis
Lime balm
"Lime"
Levisticum officinale
Lovage
Pulmonaria officinalis
Lungwort
Tagetes patula
Marigold
X
Helianthus
Maximilian
maximilianii
sunflowers
Ratibida columnifera
Mexican hat
Mentha x villosa
Mint, apple
alopecuroides
Mentha x piperita
Mint, chocolate
Mentha x piperita
Mint, lemon
citrata
Origanum vulgare
Oregano
Oregano, Greek Origanum vulgare
hirtum
Viola tricolor
Pansy
Petroselinum crispum
Parsley
Mentha pulegium
Pennyroyal
Pink echinacea Echinacea pallida
Plains coreopsis Coreopsis tinctoria
Calendula officinalis
Pot marigold
Rosa arkansa
Prairie rose
Opuntia polyacantha
Prickly pear
cactus
x
Compost
x
x
x
X
x
X
x
x
x
x
Dye
x
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
136
Common Name
Herbaceous Plants -- Uses
Nutrient
Scientific Name
Accum.
Nitrogen
Hedge
Edible
Primrose
Purple
Coneflower
Roman
chamomile
Rose
Rosemary
Rue
Sage
Salad burnet
Sorrel, bloody
Sorrel, french
Spearmint
St. John's Wort
Summer savory
Sunflower
Sweet Cicely
Tall aster
Tarragon
Thyme, basil
Thyme, caraway
Thyme, common
Thyme, creeping
Thyme, lemon
Thyme, wild
Trailing bellflower
Tussock
bellflower
Verbena, prairie
Primula vulgaris
Echinacea purpurea
x
Chamaemelum nobile
x
Rosa rugosa
Rosemarinus
officinalis
Ruta graveolens
Salvia officinalis
Sanguisorba minor
Rumex sanguineus
Rumex acetosa
Mentha spicata
Hypericum perforatum
Satureja hortensis
Helianthus annus
Myrrhis odorata
Aster praealtus
Artemisia dracunculus
Acinos arvensis
Thymus herba-barona
Thymus vulgaris
Thymus praecox
Thymus x citriodorus
Thymus pulegioides
Campanula
poscharskyana
Campanula carpatica
x
x
Glandularia
bipinnatifida var.
bipinnatifida
Verbena officinalis
Vervain
Vervain mallow Malva alcea
Vicia hirsuta
Vetch
Allium fistulosum
Welsh onion
Callirhoe involucrata
Winecups
Winecups, annual Callirhoe leiocarpa
Satureja montana
Winter savory
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow
Zinnia elegans
Zinnia
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Compost
Dye
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
137
138
Asparagus
Nine-star perennial broccoli
Strawberry
Jerusalem artichoke
Rhubarb
Vegetables
Perennial
Asparagus officinalis
Brassica oleracea botrytis aparagoides
Fragraria spp.
Helianthus tuberosus
Rheum rhaponticum
Annual/Biennial Vegetables
Phaseolus vulgaris
Beans, green
Phaseolus vulgaris
Beans, Navy
Phaseolus vulgaris
Beans, pinto
Phaseolus vulgaris
Beans, Trail of Tears
Beta vulgaris
Beets
Vigna unguiculata
Black-eyed peas
Brassica oleracea var. Italica
Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. Capitata
Cabbage
Daucus carota
Carrots
Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis
Cauliflower
Apium graveolens var. Dulce
Celery
Beta vulgaris v. Cicla
Chard, Lucullus
Beta vulgaris v. Cicla
Chard, rhubarb
Beta vulgaris v. Cicla
Chard, Swiss
Brassica oleracea var. Acephala
Collards
Zea mays
Corn
Cucumis sativus
Cucumbers
Solanum melongena
Eggplant
Pisum sativum
English peas
Allium sativum
Garlic
Lens culinaris
Lentils
Lactuca sativa
Lettuce
Brassica juncea
Mustard
Allium cepa aggregatum
Onions, multiplying
Capsicum annum
Peppers, cayenne
Capsicum chinense
Peppers, habanero
Capsicum annum
Peppers, jalapeno
Capsicum chinense
Peppers, Scotch bonnet
Capsicum annum
Peppers, Serrano
Capsicum frutescens
Peppers, Tabasco
Solanum tuberosum
Potatoes
Cucurbita maxima
Pumpkins
Atriplex hortensis
Ruby orach
Allium cepa ascalonicum
Shallots
Spinacea oleracea
Spinach
Ipomea batatas
Sweet potatoes
Lycopersicon esculentum
Tomatoes cherry
139
Tomatoes, paste
Turnips
Winter squash
Boysenberry
Dewberry, Southern
Grapes
Ground nut
Hardy kiwi
Hops
Luffa
Morning glory
Nasturtium
Passion flower
Scarlet runner beans
Lycopersicon esculentum
Brassica campestris var. Rapifera
Cucurbita moschata
Vines
Rubus idaeus x fructicosas
Rubus trivialis
Vitis vinifera
Apios americana
Actinidia arguta
Humulus lupus
Luffa aegyptica
Ipomoea tricolor
Tropaeolum majus
Passiflora incarnata
Phaseolus coccineus
140
Appendix 3.6 12 years of climate info on rainfall, wind, and
temperature
Oklahoma City observations, taken from "Preliminary Local Climate Data Form 6," National Weather
Service Forecast Office, Norman, Oklahoma, available online at
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/climate/get_f6.php?
"Days" are the number of days the temperature meets the 4 criteria: Maximum temperature is 32
degrees F or below (32-), Maximum temperature is 90 degrees F or above (90+), Minimum
temperature is 32 degrees or below (32-), Minimum temperature is 0 degrees or below (0-)
Date
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
ANNUAL SUMMARIES
Temperature
Base 65
Fahrenheit
Days
Degree Days
Max
Min Max 32- Max 90+ Min 32- Min 0HDD
CDD
102
11
9
60
76
0
3614
1669
110
-3
15
54
81
2
3737
1852
98
6
6
64
69
0
3696
1812
107
10
4
113
56
0
3237
2684
105
11
3
67
56
0
2852
1946
108
11
14
85
79
0
3649
2153
107
14
8
70
67
0
3465
2031
99
6
7
62
85
0
3810
1805
106
9
8
68
81
0
3541
1883
98
7
5
53
83
0
3151
1823
100
6
6
84
52
0
3125
2130
107
11
4
108
55
0
2777
2516
101
8
5
64
57
0
3005
2214
141
Annual Summaries, con't.
Precipitation
Sunshine Minutes
inches
Date
Total
SnowTotal
Possible
%
Water fall/Ice
1995
36.17
14
172177
266372
64.6%
1996
37.9
1.3
160094
267542
63.5%
1997
32.62
8.6
168348
266858
45.4%
1998
35.33
1
171778
266858
64.4%
1999
39.25
8.3
195146
266863
73.1%
2000
39.04
17.3
182085
267533
68.1%
2001
29.1
8.1
181771
266767
68.1%
2002
34.16
6.03
158694
266844
59.5%
2003
22.63
6.9
171532
266844
64.3%
2004
36.78
0.6
166573
267528
62.3%
2005
23.6
5.1
180758
267528
67.6%
2006
27.84
6.9
177443
267528
66.5%
2007
56.89
4.3
No data No data
No data
ANNUAL DETAILS, 1995 - July 2007, By Months
Temperature
F.
Days
Date Max Min Max 321-95
71
2-95
77
3-95
89
4-95
86
5-95
89
6-95
92
7-95 101
8-95
98
9-95 102
10-95
86
11 -95
83
12-95
74
Total
15
19
15
30
41
53
60
62
38
30
22
11
2
1
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
9
Max
90+
0
0
0
0
0
3
25
26
6
0
0
0
60
Min Min
32023
0
14
0
8
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
12
0
17
0
76
0
Base 65
Degree Days
HDD
CDD
810
554
477
253
84
0
0
0
75
129
465
767
3614
0
11
14
72
250
506
521
262
33
0
0
1669
142
Precipitation inches
Date
1-95
2-95
3-95
4-95
5-95
6-95
7-95
8-95
9-95
10-95
11 -95
12-95
Total
Date
Total
Water
1.28
0.04
2.21
3.77
7.39
6.06
1.94
3.15
6.05
1.54
0.39
2.35
36.17
Sunshine
Minutes
Total Possible
Snowfall/Ice
4.9 11945
0 11777
4.5 12667
0 15258
0 12255
0 16824
0 20636
0 19712
T 10629
0 18050
0.5 13985
4.1
8439
14 172177
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Days
Max
Min
Max 32-
1-1996 74
2-1996 92
3-1996 84
4-1996 86
5-1996 94
6-1996 100
7-1996 110
8-1996 93
9-1996 92
10-96 83
11-96 76
12-96 75
Totals
3
-3
11
31
48
53
63
63
41
37
21
9
7
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
15
% sun-shine
18301
18301
22242
23533
26070
26095
26565
25043
22359
21014
18582
18267
266372
Max
90+
0
1
0
0
7
16
17
11
2
0
0
0
54
Min Min 03223
0
16
2
14
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
18
0
81
2
Wind
Peak Gust
Direction
MPH
65.3%
64.4%
57.0%
64.8%
47.0%
64.5%
77.7%
78.7%
47.5%
85.9%
75.3%
46.2%
64.6%
320
20
330
150
150
30
190
190
10
150
190
10
Base 65
Degree Days
HDD
CDD
898
603
584
209
10
0
0
0
29
151
556
697
3737
0
7
4
28
286
393
514
408
170
42
0
0
1852
40
39
48
52
56
49
30
30
34
41
47
44
143
Date
1-1996
2-1996
3-1996
4-1996
5-1996
6-1996
7-1996
8-1996
9-1996
10-96
11-96
12-96
Totals
Precipitation
Inches
Total Water
Snow-fall
0.08
1
0.02
0.3
2.17
T
2
0
1.9
0
2.21
0
11.9
0
5.84
0
5.88
0
2.53
0
3.37
T
T
T
37.9
1.3
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Date
1-1997
2-1997
3-1997
4-1997
5-1997
6-1997
7-1997
8-1997
9-1997
10-97
11-97
12-97
Totals
Max
78
74
90
84
89
93
98
96
98
93
72
67
Days
Max 32-
Min
6
21
27
26
43
57
60
59
50
34
19
16
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
6
Sunshine
Minutes
Total
Possible
13734
18747
12137
19007
15157
22268
16995
23559
16135
26098
20468
26112
16585
26559
14227
25039
12249
22317
13647
20999
7454
18577
11196
18260
169984
267542
Wind
Peak Gust
%
Direction MPH
73.3%
330
53
63.9%
340
47
68.1%
230
54
72.1%
180
46
61.8%
180
43
78.4%
320
48
62.4%
90
47
56.8%
50
52
54.9%
340
37
65.0%
240
33
40.1%
20
44
61.3%
170
39
63.5%
Base 65
Degree Days
Max
90+
0
0
1
0
0
8
23
16
14
2
0
0
64
Min Min 03220
0
11
0
6
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
18
0
69
0
HDD
839
583
385
310
43
0
0
1
2
188
549
796
3696
CDD
2
0
5
7
104
316
520
429
317
112
0
0
1812
144
Date
1-1997
2-1997
3-1997
4-1997
5-1997
6-1997
7-1997
8-1997
9-1997
10-97
11-97
12-97
Totals
Precipitation
Inches
Total Water
Snowfall-ice
0.5
6.5
2.11
T
0.6
0
4.42
T
3.68
0
3.01
T
4.6
T
4.04
T
1.66
0
3.93
0
1.11
0.1
2.96
2
32.62
8.6
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Date Max
1-1998 72
2-1998 75
3-1998 81
4-1998 84
5-1998 96
6-1998 105
7-1998 107
8-1998 107
9-1998 107
10-98 85
11-98 74
12-98 73
Totals
Days
Max 32-
Min
22
24
16
37
48
50
71
67
57
41
33
10
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
4
Sunshine
Minutes
Total
Possible
9647
18747
8297
18323
15849
22268
14796
23559
19502
26098
19371
26112
20569
26559
16198
25039
14333
22317
12225
20999
9274
18577
8287
18260
168348
266858
Wind
Peak Gust
%
Direction MPH
51.5%
340
40
45.3%
330
54
71.2%
310
54
62.8%
310
40
74.7%
160
46
74.2%
320
43
77.4%
100
37
64.7%
10
39
64.2%
30
41
58.2%
320
44
49.9%
330
43
45.4%
330
49
45.4%
Base 65
Degree Days
Max
90+
0
0
0
0
7
23
30
29
24
0
0
0
113
Min
32- Min 019
0
9
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18
0
56
0
HDD
CDD
750
0
542
0
554
13
238
16
9
252
3
496
0
719
0
627
0
497
75
62
347
2
719
0
3237 2684
145
Date
1-1998
2-1998
3-1998
4-1998
5-1998
6-1998
7-1998
8-1998
9-1998
10-98
11-98
12-98
Totals
Precipitation
Inches
Total Water Snowfall-Ice
4.09
0.32
6.45
3.34
2.12
2.67
0.02
0.48
4.37
6.76
3.09
1.62
35.33
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Date Max
1-1999 71
2-1999 79
3-1999 78
4-1999 87
5-1999 89
6-1999 91
7-1999 104
8-1999 105
9-1999 98
10-99 88
11-99 81
12-99 70
Totals
Sunshine
Minutes
Total
Possible
6173
18747
7758
18323
11529
22268
16782
23559
17926
26098
21490
26112
23592
26559
18530
25039
16301
22317
13283
20999
8084
18577
10330
18260
171778
266858
T
T
T
0
T
T
0
0
0
T
0
1
1
Days
Max 32- Max 90+
Min
11
28
26
33
45
58
59
66
42
36
26
21
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
26
31
7
0
0
0
67
%
32.9%
42.3%
51.8%
71.2%
68.7%
82.3%
88.8%
74.0%
73.0%
63.3%
43.5%
56.6%
64.4%
Base 65 Degree
Days
Min
32- Min 020
0
10
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
16
0
56
0
HDD
CDD
752
0
398
4
463
0
144
40
28
131
0
327
0
540
0
618
34
225
115
51
249
10
669
0
2852 1946
Wind
Peak Gust
Direction MPH
190
41
200
41
200
51
200
48
320
43
220
63
330
43
250
31
290
48
130
40
240
47
330
44
146
Date
1-1999
2-1999
3-1999
4-1999
5-1999
6-1999
7-1999
8-1999
9-1999
10-1999
11-1999
12-1999
Totals
Precipitation
Inches
Snow-fallTotal Water
Ice
1.81
T
1.2
0
3.45
1.3
6.92
T
3.1
t
8.61
0
1.94
0
1.35
0
4.88
t
2.22
0
0.06
0
3.71
7
39.25
8.3
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Date Max
1-2000 72
2-2000 79
3-2000 82
4-2000 87
5-2000 100
6-2000 94
7-2000 99
8-2000 104
9-2000 108
10-00 95
11-00 75
12-00 59
Totals
Days
Max 32- Max 90+
Min
15
20
27
32
45
55
63
54
40
28
23
11
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
14
0
0
0
0
8
5
20
31
17
4
0
0
85
Sunshine
Minutes
Total
Possible
10066
18747
14717
18325
13723
22270
16526
23566
18554
26104
16338
26126
24337
26568
21656
25040
15470
22315
16815
20989
15782
18569
11162
18244
195146
266863
Wind
Peak Gust
%
Direction MPH
53.7%
330
41
80.3%
320
47
61.6%
270
47
70.1%
320
55
71.1%
250
51
62.5%
150
51
91.6%
40
35
86.5%
270
36
69.3%
10
37
80.1%
320
40
85.0%
360
41
61.2%
180
43
73.1%
Base 65
Degree Days
Min
32- Min 019
0
9
0
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
16
0
29
0
79
0
HDD
CDD
746
0
457
0
354
3
192
20
40
232
1
295
0
498
0
639
35
372
113
94
648
0
1063
0
3649 2153
147
Date
1-2000
2-2000
3-2000
4-2000
5-2000
6-2000
7-2000
8-2000
9-2000
10-2000
11-2000
12-2000
Totals
Precipitation
Inches
SnowfallTotal Water
Ice
0.75
9.1
1.47
0
3.12
t
5.17
t
1.36
0
6.71
0
5.25
0
0
0
1.73
0
8.39
t
2.79
t
2.3
8.2
39.04
17.3
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Date
Max
1-2001 60
2-2001 68
3-2001 74
4-2001 83
5-2001 88
6-2001 92
7-2001 107
8-2001 101
9-2001 92
10-01 85
11-01 80
12-01 73
Totals
Sunshine
Minutes
Total
Possible
11428
18733
13180
19009
13214
22270
15792
23566
19088
26104
14570
26126
21735
26568
23044
25040
20419
22315
11111
20989
9653
18569
8851
18244
182085
267533
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
8
0
0
0
0
0
12
28
26
4
0
0
0
70
%
61.0%
69.3%
59.3%
67.0%
73.1%
55.8%
81.8%
92.0%
91.5%
52.9%
52.0%
48.5%
68.1%
Base 65
Degree Days
Days
Max 32- Max 90+
Min
14
18
29
33
42
52
67
66
47
35
21
15
Wind
Peak Gust
Min Min 03224
0
15
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
18
0
67
0
HDD
882
672
561
105
22
0
0
0
18
169
338
698
3465
CDD
0
0
0
70
168
348
650
563
196
27
8
1
2031
Direction MPH
20
43
210
46
130
43
320
45
290
48
30
39
330
64
300
33
330
36
230
37
190
39
330
52
148
Date
Precipitation
Inches
Total Water Snowfall-Ice
1-2001
2-2001
3-2001
4-2001
5-2001
6-2001
7-2001
8-2001
9-2001
10-01
11-01
12-01
Totals
2.23
2.25
1.01
1.04
7.7
0.55
1.27
1.95
5.55
3.56
1.08
0.91
29.1
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Date
1-2002
2-2002
3-2002
4-2002
5-2002
6-2002
7-2002
8-2002
9-2002
10-02
11-02
12-02
Totals
Max
73
76
85
85
92
91
99
99
96
88
82
68
3.4
t
t
0
0
0
0
0
t
t
3.2
1.5
8.1
Days
Max 32-
Min
9
10
6
32
45
59
66
62
51
38
18
13
Sunshine
Minutes
Possible
Total
10159
18733
7715
18325
11722
22306
16298
23588
18731
26114
22420
26107
23753
26529
20562
25001
16091
22279
16209
20964
8285
18557
9826
18264
181771
266767
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
7
%
54.2%
42.1%
52.6%
69.1%
71.7%
85.9%
89.5%
82.2%
72.2%
77.3%
44.6%
53.8%
68.1%
Base 65
Degree Days
Max
90+
0
0
0
0
1
10
18
23
10
0
0
0
62
Min Min 03223
0
21
0
13
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
19
0
85
0
HDD
768
661
582
163
65
0
0
0
2
307
526
736
3810
CDD
0
0
1
50
102
344
468
509
285
41
5
0
1805
Wind
Peak Gust
Direction
MPH
320
38
320
52
330
51
160
52
10
63
190
38
30
31
330
45
320
41
330
49
290
40
330
43
149
Precipitation
Inches
Total Water Snowfall-Ice
Date
1-2002
2-2002
3-2002
4-2002
5-2002
6-2002
7-2002
8-2002
9-2002
10-02
11-02
12-02
Totals
Date
2.62
0.47
2.24
5.1
2.48
4.56
4.94
1.58
2.94
4.64
0.75
1.84
34.16
9
9
15
29
47
53
64
65
46
38
20
19
2
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
8
Wind Peak Gust
Total
Possible
11531
18776
12016
18359
15352
22306
10531
23588
11249
26114
18476
26107
17183
26529
17957
25001
16445
22279
5333
20964
13146
18557
9475
18264
158694
266844
t
2.9
1.13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
6.03
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Days
Max
Min
Max 32-
1-2003 71
2-2003 76
3-2003 79
4-2003 86
5-2003 102
6-2003 93
7-2003 106
8-2003 103
9-2003 88
10-03 91
11-03 79
12-03 72
Totals
Sunshine
Minutes
%
Direction MPH
61.4%
200
40
65.5%
320
44
68.8%
320
55
44.6%
210
46
43.1%
310
70
70.8%
330
44
64.8%
150
40
71.8%
10
53
73.8%
300
47
25.4%
10
35
70.8%
320
37
51.9%
190
41
59.5%
Base 65
Degree Days
Max
90+
0
0
0
0
4
5
31
26
0
2
0
0
68
Min
32- Min 027
0
19
0
10
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
17
0
81
0
HDD
CDD
868
0
757
0
476
4
169
36
19
152
1
275
0
603
0
559
24
162
112
75
443
17
672
0
3541 1883
150
Date
Precipitation
Inches
Total Water Snowfall-Ice
1-2003
2-2003
3-2003
4-2003
5-2003
6-2003
7-2003
8-2003
9-2003
10-03
11-03
12-03
Totals
0.02
0.87
2.3
1.56
2.41
4.7
0.65
4.79
1.98
1.01
1.23
1.11
22.63
t
5
t
0
t
0
0
0
0
0
0
1.9
6.9
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Days
Date Max
Min Max 321-2004
2-2004
3-2004
4-2004
5-2004
6-2004
7-2004
8-2004
9-2004
10-04
11-04
12-04
Totals
75
73
83
85
96
94
98
98
97
90
77
71
7
16
32
34
38
56
59
55
55
43
26
11
Sunshine
Minutes
Possible
Total
12547
18776
7468
18359
14690
22306
17685
23588
14742
26114
17670
26107
23205
26529
17597
25001
14420
22279
13489
20964
7573
18557
10446
18264
171532
266844
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
5
Wind Peak Gust
Direction
%
66.8%
40.7%
65.9%
75.0%
56.5%
67.7%
87.5%
70.4%
64.7%
64.3%
40.8%
57.2%
64.3%
Base 65 Degree
Days
Max
90+
0
0
0
0
5
8
20
11
8
1
0
0
53
Min Min 03219
0
22
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
17
0
83
0
HDD
CDD
768
721
313
145
39
0
0
0
0
79
428
658
3151
0
0
18
39
260
318
439
368
308
73
0
0
1823
320
300
330
280
240
250
300
110
340
30
340
320
MPH
44
40
41
52
41
52
36
55
36
41
46
48
151
Date
1-2004
2-2004
3-2004
4-2004
5-2004
6-2004
7-2004
8-2004
9-2004
10-04
11-04
12-04
Totals
Precipitation
Inches
Total SnowfallWater
Ice
1.45
0.3
1.45
0.3
3.98
0
1.35
0
1.2
0
7.03
0
3.65
0
5.01
0
0.64
0
4.86
0
5.66
t
0.5
t
36.78
0.6
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Date
Max
1-2005 77
2-2005 77
3-2005 83
4-2005 83
5-2005 99
6-2005 97
7-2005 100
8-2005 99
9-2005 97
10-05 92
11-05 86
12-05 74
Totals
Sunshine
Minutes
Total
9437
9155
13528
13842
17900
15705
19730
18781
18497
10480
6278
13240
166573
Days
Max 32-
Min
13
23
29
35
40
61
58
64
52
33
22
6
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
6
Possible
18776
19043
22306
23588
26114
26107
26529
25001
22279
20964
18557
18264
267528
Wind Peak Gust
%
Direction MPH
50.3%
360
39
48.1%
130
46
60.6%
230
56
58.7%
170
44
68.5%
170
39
60.2%
30
56
74.4%
320
38
75.1%
20
38
83.0%
30
35
50.0%
340
38
33.8%
330
46
72.5%
200
40
62.3%
Base 65
Degree Days
Max
90+
0
0
0
0
6
13
23
23
18
1
0
0
84
Min Min 03216
0
5
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
20
0
52
0
HDD
780
505
405
139
68
0
0
0
3
140
356
729
3125
CDD
0
0
1
37
206
399
488
502
373
102
22
0
2130
152
Date
1-2005
2-2005
3-2005
4-2005
5-2005
6-2005
7-2005
8-2005
9-2005
10-05
11-05
12-05
Totals
Precipitation
Inches
Total SnowWater fall-Ice
2.05
2.8
2.69
0.1
0.44
0
0.29
0
2.23
0
4.89
0
3.22
0
4.45
0
1.89
0
1.17
0
t
0
0.28
2.2
23.6
5.1
Temp.
Fahrenheit
Sunshine
Minutes
Total
Possible
8592
18776
8585
19043
13701
22306
17062
23588
12825
26114
21068
26107
22074
26529
18185
25001
19537
22279
15711
20964
14227
18557
9191
18264
180758
267528
Days
Max 32- Max 90+ Min 32-
Wind Peak Gust
%
Direction
45.8%
340
45.1%
20
61.4%
40
72.3%
210
49.1%
50
80.7%
320
83.2%
340
72.7%
210
87.7%
360
74.9%
340
76.7%
220
50.3%
330
67.6%
MPH
40
38
45
43
40
55
63
49
43
39
55
43
Base 65 Degree
Days
Date
Max
Min
Min 0- HDD
CDD
1- 2006
77
20
0
0
14
0
531
0
2- 2006
83
11
3
0
18
0
645
0
3- 2006
92
23
0
1
4
0
330
32
4- 2006
98
36
0
6
0
0
64
139
5- 2006
97
47
0
13
0
0
28
270
6- 2006 102
60
0
23
0
0
0
456
7- 2006 107
61
0
31
0
0
0
664
8- 2006 107
60
0
27
0
0
0
656
9- 2006
95
45
0
4
0
0
9
203
10- 2006
91
34
0
3
0
0
150
90
11-2006
86
21
1
0
5
0
362
6
12-2006
76
13
0
0
14
0
658
0
Total
4
108
55
0
2777
2516
Precipitation
Sunshine Minutes
Peak Wind Gust
Inches
%
Snowsun- Direcfall
PossiTotal
shine
tion
MPH
Ice
Total
ble
Water
1-06
0.27
0.5 12116 18776 64.5%
210
53
2-06
0.08
0.2 11820 18359 64.4%
330
44
3-06
2.78
1.6 11864 22306 53.2%
210
47
153
4-06
5-06
6-06
7-06
8-06
9-06
10-06
11-06
12-06
Totals
Date
1-2007
2-2007
3-2007
4-2007
5-2007
6-2007
7-2007
8-2007
9-2007
10-2007
11-2007
12-2007
Total
Date
1-2007
2-2007
3-2007
4-2007
5-2007
6-2007
7-2007
8-2007
9-2007
10-2007
11-2007
12-2007
Total
3.18
3.01
2.32
3.42
4.01
3.76
1.56
1.43
2.02
27.84
0 17077 23588
0 20219 26114
0 24029 26107
0 21717 26529
0 20073 25001
0 18155 22279
0 14394 20964
4.6 no data 18557
0 no data 18264
6.9 171464 266844
72.4%
77.4%
92.0%
81.9%
80.3%
81.5%
68.7%
51
45
46
54
51
41
45
48
40
64.3%
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Days
Max
Min Max 32- Max 90+ Min 3276
13
0
0
14
81
8
4
0
15
82
21
0
0
3
85
33
0
0
0
86
51
0
0
0
92
60
0
7
0
96
67
0
20
0
101
68
0
26
0
93
52
0
10
0
92
39
0
1
0
82
22
0
0
4
69
14
1
0
21
5
64
57
Precipitation
Inches
Total Snowfall
Water
2.02
0
0.62
2.2
8.02
0
2.57
0
8.49
0
10.06
0
6.31
0
5.39
0
5.73
0
3.72
0.53
3.43
2.1
56.89
4.3
200
120
320
320
220
170
310
330
320
Min 00
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Wind
Peak Gust
MPH
Direction
Peak Gust
320
210
90
30
280
330
330
140
200
230
20
320
40
48
44
39
51
37
38
56
35
46
45
41
Base 65
Degree Days
HDD
CDD
658
0
636
2
179
38
257
35
3
194
0
372
0
494
0
599
0
342
109
130
365
8
798
0
3005
2214
154
155
Appendix 3.7 Existing features of the property.
Edible landscaping
Passive solar sunspace
Super-insulation of the building walls (R-33) and attic (R-50)
Wood burning stove
Extensive food storage
Food preservation and preparation equipment
Extensive attention to caulking and weather-stripping
New insulated doors and storm doors
Double glazed, low-e coated, argon filled windows
Extensive compost operation
Low power whole house fan for summer ventilation at night
Solar charger for small batteries
Compact fluorescent used exclusively for lights
Household uses a credit union, the mortgage is held by the credit union and not sold to outside
interests
Solar clothes dryer
Hand crank “Wonder Clean” clothes washer
Household buys wind generated electricity from local utility company.
Household has contingency plans, supplies, and tools for coping with disaster and catastrophe.
Household uses a chest refrigerator.
Storage for 1 cord of wood on raised platform
156
Appendix 3.8: Notes on the social and economic history of the
region.
Before the 19th century, the main Native American tribes in Oklahoma were the Caddo, Wichita,
Kiowa, Comanche, Quapaw, and Osage. In eastern and southeastern Oklahoma, there are mounds
that are the remains of ancient Indian cultures related to the Mississippi valley cultures; the Caddo are
thought to be their descendants. Beginning in the 1820s, the US government pursued a policy of
resettling eastern Indian tribes in the area that is now Oklahoma, and was then named Indian
Territory. The tribes impacted by this were the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole, and Creek
peoples. Oklahoma County is located in areas ceded to the Creek and Seminole tribes.
Unfortunately, during the Civil War, the tribes all signed treaties with the Confederate government,
thus breaking their treaty obligation to not make war on the United States. After the Civil War, the
federal government punished them by taking away large portions of their lands, and using those lands
to resettle western and northern Indian tribes. In the central part of the start were what was known as
the Unassigned Lands (after being taken away from the Creeks and Seminoles, they were not given
to any other tribe). Today there are 39 tribes in Oklahoma.
In 1879, a campaign began to open the Unassigned lands to white settlement, it is generally thought
that this was instigated by the railroads. Some illegal settlement of the area began, and on April 22,
1889, the area was legally opened to non-Indian settlement by a Land Run, where people literally
lined up along a many miles long border, and at noon, charged across to find and stake their claim.
50,000 people entered the Unassigned Lands that day, and 10,000 of them settled the city plat of
Oklahoma City on the first day. Those first settlers included thousands of African Americans.
In the 1920s, oil was discovered in Oklahoma, and it turned out that Oklahoma City itself was built
upon a rich pool of oil. Thousands of wells were drilled, including wells on the grounds of the state
capitol, and oil is still pumped from beneath the city, although the production in the city limits is a tiny
fraction of what it was at its peak in the 1930s.
Until the 1920s, Oklahoma was considered to be a radical progressive state. Progressives of the era
praised the Oklahoma Constitution as being the most progressive Constitution in the nation, and the
first state flag was solid red with a white star in the middle (!!!). Large vote percentages were received
by Progressive and Socialist candidates, and they controlled many local governments. There were
many towns that were entirely settled by African Americans (a process which began shortly after the
Civil War and continued through the 19th century in lands controlled by Indian tribes, mostly
populated by African Americans fleeing the post Reconstruction pogroms and re-servitude/Jim Crow
segregation programs in the South.
The Depression however came early to Oklahoma, and with it came the rise of the Ku Klux Klan,
which for a time was engaged in what amounted to a civil insurrection against the more progressive
governments and the state’s non-white, Jewish, and Catholic population. There were riots and
battles at polling places on election days. Unfortunately for later history, the Klan won, electing at
least one governor and controlling the Legislature. It is thought that many of the people who formed
157
the voting base for progressive and socialist candidates were the people who left during the Dust
Bowl and the Depression and became the Okies.
The central Oklahoma economy benefits from its position in the center of the state, and also it is the
crossroads of major cross country rail lines and interstate highways, with I-40, I-44, and I-35 meeting
close to downtown Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma economy historically was based on agriculture and
natural gas and oil production, which has meant we have gone through many boom and bust cycles.
In the 1960s Oklahoma City began diversifying its economy by attracting manufacturing industries
and government installations. Some of these industries and the government agencies, pay high
salaries. However, there is an abundance of low-wage work in the area, and Oklahoma incomes are
on the lower end of national scales. Oklahoma City’s cost of living is relatively low. Our property
prices in particular are very affordable compared to many other states. Our cost of living is the second
lowest of major American cities, and is 25% below the national average. The median household
income in OKC is $34,947, among the lowest in the nation for a city of its size.
Oil and gas are presently in a boom cycle, and while Oklahoma’s production of these fossil fuels has
been declining for 60 years, it remains substantial and as prices have increased, so has the economic
impact.
One significant regional problem is a poor public transit system. The property is located in one of the
best areas of the city for public transit, but if one wants to get out into the suburbs for employment,
transit options are very limited.
158
Appendix 3.9 Bus route information
Route, bus stop, distance in blocks to stop, destination of route:
#5, Classen and NW 23rd, 6 blocks, inbound to downtown, outbound to NW 140th, Memorial Hospital,
Quail Springs Mall.
#7, NW 16th and McKinley, 5 blocks, inbound to downtown, outbound to NW 63rd and Portland,
serving Deaconess and Baptist hospitals.
#8, Indiana and NW 21st, 3 blocks, inbound to downtown, outbound to Lyrewood and Wilshire (this is
the bus Bob takes to work
#23, NW 23rd and McKinley, 2 blocks, runs west to Rockwell and east to State Capitol complex, then
to the hospital complex at NW 13th and Kelley.
159
Appendix 3.10 Resources and plans to assist in implementing
this design
3.10.1
3.10.2
3.10.3
3.10.4
3.10.5
3.10.6
Recommended food storage amounts.
List of mulch materials.
Food processing equipment
Oklahoma Extension publications on home gardens.
Oklahoma Extension publications on pruning fruit trees.
Notes on building trellises.
160
Appendix 3.10.1 Food storage list
Recommended Food Storage Amounts
Item
Unit
Amount
Cost
Grains
Wheat
Rice
Dried corn
Hulless oats
Pasta
White flour
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
350
125
100
100
125
50
Total grains
Lbs
850
Fats/oils
Olive oil
Gal
10
$250
Legumes
Beans
Peas
Lentils
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
75
75
20
$45
$45
$20
Total beans
Sweeteners
Sugar
Honey
Molasses
Jams
Cooking/preserving
essentials
Baking powder
Baking soda
Yeast
Salt
Vinegar
Dried milk
$140
$75
$25
$50
$65
$12
170
Lbs
Quarts
Quarts
Pints
80
10
4
50
$29
$60
$24
$50
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Gallons
Lbs
4
10
4
200
15
50
$5
$5
$5
$20
$15
$100
161
Bouillon
Canned goods
Vegetables
Fruits
Frozen meats
Beef, various
Pork, various
Dehydrated
Vegetables
Fruits
Total cost
Lbs
20
$20
15 oz
cans or
pints
15 oz
cans or
pints
730
$255
730
$365
Lbs
Lbs
150
150
$600
$300
Half
pints
Half
pints
50
garden
produce
garden
produce
50
$2,581
162
Appendix 3.10.2 Suggested Mulch Materials
Alfalfa hay (bales, from Horne Seed)
Grass clippings (church, neighbors
Newspapers (personal supply, friends)
Prairie hay (bales, from Horne Seed)
Shredded leaves (yard, neighbors)
Shredded small limbs and woody materials (yard, neighbors)
Wood chips (for pathways and swales) (neighbors)
163
Appendix 3.10.3 List of recommended food processing and preserving
equipment
+ Boiling water canner.
+ Canning jars in a variety of sizes
+ Chest freezer, manual defrost
+ Crockpot.
+ Dehydrator, solar and electric.
+ Food grade storage containers, variety of sizes
+ Food processor/blender
+ Grain and meat grinders.
+ Jar lifter, funnels, colander, strainer, sifter, measuring cups and spoons
+ Knives
+ Oil press
+ Outdoor cooking equipment
+ Oven-ware – casserole pans, loaf pans, baking pans.
+ Pressure canner
+ Retained heat cooker
+ Solar oven/cooker
+ Sprouter
164
Appendix 3.10.4 Oklahoma Extension publications on home gardens.
Bound with hard-copy.
The Oklahoma Garden Guide can be accessed online at:
http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1092/HLA-6004web.pdf
The Oklahoma Fall Garden Guide can be accessed online at:
http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1114/HLA-6009web.pdf
165
Appendix 3.10.5 Oklahoma Extension publications on
pruning fruit trees.
Bound with hard copy.
The publication, Annual Pruning of Fruit Trees, can be accessed online at:
http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1022/HLA-6228web.pdf
166
Appendix 3.10.6 Notes on building trellises.
To build the arbors recommended in this design, use 2 x 4s from the household storage and “earth
anchors”, which are 36 inch spikes to be driven into the ground, with a 4"x 4"metal box on top that can
hold one 4 x 4 beam or 2, 2 x 4s. Use paired 2 x 4s for the upright beams. You need:
+
+
+
Eight upright beams for the arbor in front of the house.
Two upright beams for each of the sun porch entrance arbors (east and west).
Six upright beams for the arbor in front of the storage building.
For the west sun porch arbor, connect the upright beams with 2 x 4s, and then attach the 2 x 4s to the
house using a metal bracket. Use 1 x 2s to fill in a trellis pattern (similar to the trellis you built for the
grapes on the west side of the house) on top of the trellis and on the sides that face west and east.
For the arbors in front of the house and the storage building, use 2 x 6s to connect the beams, and on
top of the beams, place the arbor structures given to you by a friend. Use 1 x 2s on the top to create a
trellis pattern.
For the arbor in front of the house, use the 1 x 2s to make a trellis on the east and west sides.
For the arbor in front of the storage building, use the 1 x 2s to create a trellis on the north, south, and
west sides of the arbor.
Appendix 3.5 has a list of climbing plants that would be suitable for these arbors.
167
Figure 30: General design of arbors with side details for summer kitchen arbor and house and
storage building arbors
168
Appendix 3.11 Calculations for determining heat loss through
walls and the benefit from various levels of insulation.
The calculation for determining how much heat is lost through walls and ceilings is:
Loss = (Ceiling area or wall area) X (Temp inside - Temp outside)/R value ceiling or walls
To determine if the client should increase the insulation in the attic to R-75 from its present R-50,
assuming a 40 degree difference between the inside and outside temperatures, the calculations are:
Present BTU Loss/hour = (1548 X 40)/50 = 1238.4 BTUs/hour
Future BTU Loss/hour = (1548 X 40)/75 = 825.6 BTUs/hour
Since the clients' out of pocket expenditures for heating are presently minimal, the primary question
here is not financial, but practical. It would take about 50 bags of cellulose insulation to increase the
attic insulation by R-25. The present cost of this would be about $500, plus 2 persons working for
about 6 hours each. In exchange for this investment, the clients would achieve a permanent
reduction of heat loss (and heat gain) through the ceiling of 33%. My judgment is that this
expenditure is worth it, since one of the goals of the clients is a home that remains livable even if
fossil fuel energy is not available. It is already apparent to the clients that one of the "winter tricks of
the passive solar trade" is to hang onto the heat that comes into the house. Since they use wood for
back-up heating on cloudy days, less heat loss through the ceiling means less wood that needs to be
burned. Less wood means less work for the clients and less impact on the environment. Since they
are in an urban area, the clients believe they must be very frugal with the use of their wood stove due
to both wood supply and air pollution issues.
Therefore, my recommendation is to increase the attic insulation by another R-25 for a total of R-75
insulating value.
It may fairly be asked, if R-75 is good, isn't R-100 even better? The answer to this is yes, R-100
would be even better. It would result in a reduction of heat loss (and heat gain) through the ceiling of
50% from the present level. However, this would require another 13 inches of insulation, on top of the
existing 13 inches of insulation, and this runs us into a clearance problem within the attic. R-100
could be achieved along the center axis of the attic, but not close to the eaves. Thus, the total
reduction in heat loss would be somewhat less than the full 50% since not all of the attic would
achieve R-100. Insulating to R-100 would double the cost in time and labor of this recommendation.
All these things considered, it is my recommendation that the clients insulate the attic to R-75, not R100.
169
Appendix 3.12 Ideas for Community Involvement
Develop urban permaculture demonstration sites.
The clients want to continue the process of calling together a local permaculture community. For
several years people have been coming to the property and looking at the gardens. As this design is
implemented, the permaculture teaching opportunities expand. This requires a willingness to open up
the site for tours, to prepare materials that explain various aspects of the design, and for the residents
to give presentations about what they have done and why they have made these particular
improvements to the site. It also requires attentiveness to aesthetic details, as for better or worse, the
site will be judge first based on the aesthetics, and only second by its systems that promote
sustainability. You need to discuss your plans with your insurance agent and adjust your policy if
necessary to cover any the additional liability from such activities that is not covered by your present
policy.
Use your memberships, leadership roles, and community contacts to involve
your community in permaculture.
Organizations such as the Catholic Worker House community, the Oklahoma Food Cooperative, and
the Oklahoma Sustainability Network provide opportunities for developing interest in permaculture
activities. Selective participation in political campaigns can also help this process.
Support the local food system.
The clients are directly involved in the Oklahoma Food Cooperative, which provides an easy way for
customers in cities to buy food from farmers in the area. The clients should continue this work and
help expand the activities of the Oklahoma Food Cooperative as a way to jump start a local food
system in central Oklahoma – before the presence of a such a system becomes a matter of life and
death. Bob is also involved with helping to start similar cooperatives in other states. This work is
critical and should always have a high priority placed on it.
Host teams of students for "alternative spring break" programs.
For several years, you have hosted teams of students for "alternative spring break" programs. During
the week, students immerse themselves in poverty, service, and learning about sustainable living.
Continue to host these groups 2 or 3 times a year. I also recommend developing a one or two day
experiences, suitable for a Saturday, which could be presented for local groups who will not be
staying at the house.
Assist gardeners in low income areas.
Each year the Oscar Romero Catholic Worker house hosts teams of students from universities for
alternative spring and fall breaks. During these programs, the students learn about sustainable living
and do service projects in low-income areas. Each year, have the students help low-income people
start gardens and plant food producing trees and bushes. Design a "starter orchard" package
170
consisting of fruit trees (peach, plum, apricot, and pear, 1 each) and bushes vines (Nanking cherry,
Concord grapes, hazelnuts, and blackberries). I suggest partnering with Habitat for Humanity to plant
these at each of their newly constructed homes, plus preparing two, 4 x 4 Square Foot Garden plots
for those locations.
Develop an "Applying Permaculture Principles in Kitchen Designs" workshop.
Bob Waldrop has 30 years experience in cooking meals from basic ingredients. I recommend
combining this extensive life-experience with his developing knowledge of permaculture in order to
develop a workshop to help people apply permaculture design principles to kitchens. While
permaculture looks at wholistic systems, each site design contains a number of smaller units. A
workshop that focuses on the kitchen could be a way for people to access beginning permaculture
concepts. There could be one day and 3 day/weekend versions. The purpose is to teach people how
to prepare popular foods from basic ingredients and teach the concepts of eating with the season,
growing some of your own food, and buying foods from local farmers. During the presentation, include
information about menu planning, gardening, convenience cooking, make-ahead mixes, and food
storage. Solicit opportunities to present the workshop at public housing developments and at
churches in low-income areas. It would be presented free of charge at such locations. However, you
should also solicit opportunities to take the presentation "on the road" and charge fees for it
comparable to those charged for other weekend workshops in the permaculture movement. I suggest
developing ten portable workstations that could be used in such presentation. Two people would work
and learn at each station. Each workstation needs 1 mixing bowl, 6 small ingredient bowls,
measuring cups and spoons, cutting board and knife, two kitchen towels, set of recipes, 1 electric
skillet.
171
Appendix 3.13 Soil Test Reports
Bound with hard-copy.
172
Appendix 3.14 Rainwater Harvesting Calculations
22.63
1.8858
1548
2,919
21,836
Inches of rain, 2003 (driest year of the preceding 10)
2003 rainfall in feet
Area of house
Cubic feet of rain on house, 2003
Times 7.48 to determine gallons
750
1,414
10,580
Area of storage building
Cubic feet of rain on storage building, 2003
Times 7.48 to determine gallons
32,416
Total 2003 potential rainwater harvest
173
Appendix 3.15 Book List
Although not referenced directly in the text, these books from your library can provide
additional insights and inspiration during the implementation of your design.
General
Longacre, Doris Janzen. Living More With Less. ISBN 0836119304. Herald Press, Scottsdale,
Pennsylvania 15683. 1980.
MacEachern, Diane. Save our Planet! ISBN 0440294037. Dell Publishing, New York. 1990.
Mollison, Bill with Slay, Reny Mia. Introduction to Permaculture. ISBN 0908228082. Tagari
Publications, 31 Rulla Road, Sisters Creek, Tasmania 7325, Australia.1991.
Mollison, Bill. Permaculture Design Manual. ISBN 0908228015. Tagari Publications, 31 Rulla Road,
Sisters Creek, Tasmania 7325, Australia.1988.
Shelter, Energy, Material/Resource Cycling
Banks, Suzy and Heinichen, Richard. Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged. ISBN
0966417062 . Tank Town Publishing, 1212 Quail Ridge, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620. 2004.
Evangelista, Anita. How to Live Without Electricity – and Like It. ISBN 0966693213. Breakout
Publications, POB 1197, Port Townsend, Washington 98368. 1997.
Fathy, Hassan. Architecture for the Poor. ISBN 0226239160. The University of Chicago Press, 1427
E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637. 1973.
Jenkins, Joseph. The Humanure Handbook. ISBN 0964425831. Jenkins Publishing, 143 Forest Lane,
Grove City, Pennsylvania 16127. 1999.
Jornher, Steve and Zaugg, Andy. The Complete Handbook of Solar Air Heating Systems, ISBN
0878574425. Rodale Books, 33 East Minor Street, Emmaus, Pennsylvania 18098. 1984.
Kern, Barbara and Ken. The Owner Built Homestead. ISBN 0684149265, Charles Scribner’s Sons,
POB 9187, Farmington Hills, MI 4333.1977.
Khalili, Nader. Ceramic Houses and Earth Architecture: How to Build your Own. ISBN 1889625019.
Cal-Earth Press, 10376 Shangri La Avenue, Hesperia, California 92345.1986.
Oehler, Mike. The $50 and Up Underground House Book. ISBN 0442273118. Mole Publishing, 333
Gandhi Way, Bonners Ferry, Idaho 83805. 1997.
174
Olkowski, Helga and Bill, Javits, Tom, and Farallones Institute staff. The Integral Urban House. ISBN
0715621386. Sierra Club Books, 85 Second Street, San Francisco, California 94105. 1979.
Piggot, Hugh. Windpower Workshop. ISBN 1898049203., UK: Centre for Alternative Technology,
Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ, UK. 1997.
Scott, Ray. How to Build Your Own Underground Home. ISBN 0830697446. TAB Books, 15200 NBN
Way, Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, 17214. 1979.
Shurcliff, William. Thermal Shutters and Shades. ISBN 093179014X. Brick House Publishing, 4 Limbo
Lane, Amherst, New Hampshire.1980.
Smith, Michael G. The Cobber's Companion: How to build your own Earthen Home. ISBN
0966373804. Cob Cottage, POB 942, Coquille, Oregon 97423. 2000.
Strickler, Darryl. Passive Solar Retrofit: How to add natural heating and cooling to your home. ISBN
0442277199. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 115 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
10003. 1982.
Sullivan, Bill. “Dime on the Dollar Bicycle Trailer”. Mother Earth News, July 1, 1981. Ogden
Publications, 1503 SW 42nd, Topeka, KS 66609.
Taylor, John S. A Shelter Sketchbook: Timeless Building Solutions. ISBN 1890132020. Chelsea
Green Publishing, POB 428, White River Junction, Vermont 05001. 1997.
Wheatman, John. Meditations on Design. ISBN 1573248231. Conari Press, 65 Parker Street #7,
Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950. 2000
Winchester, William Paul. A Very Small Farm. ISBN 0806137789. University of Oklahoma Press,
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, Oklahoma 73069. 2006.
Cousineau, Phil and Zelov, Chris, editors. Design Outlaws on the Ecological Frontier. ISBN
0965030628. Knossus Publishing, 1259 Northampton Street #340, Easton, Pennsylvania
18042. 1997.
Growing, Eating, Preserving, Brewing, Household
Appelhof, Mary. Worms Eat My Garbage. ISBN 0942256107. Flower Press, 10332 Shaver Road,
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49024.1997.
Ashworth, Suzanne, Seed to Seed: Seed Saving Techniques for the Vegetable Gardener. ISBN
1882424581. Seed Savers Exchange, 3076 N. Winn Road, Decorah, IA 52101.
Bartholomew, Mel. Square Foot Gardening. ISBN 1591862027. Rodale Press, 33 East Minor Street,
Emmaus, Pennsylvania 18098.1981.
175
Bubel, Mike and Nancy. Root Cellaring. ISBN 0882667408. Storey Publishing, 210 MASS MoCA
Way, North Adams, Massachusetts 01247. 1991.
Colchie, Elizabeth Schneider and Witty, Helen. Better Than Store-bought. ISBN 0060912871. New
York: Harper and Row, 10 East 53rd Street, New York City, New York 10022. 1979.
Coleman, Eliot. Four Season Harvest. ISBN 1890132276. Chelsea Green Publishing, POB 428,
White River Junction, Vermont 05001.1992.
Coleman, Eliot. The New Organic Grower. ISBN 093003175X. Chelsea Green Publishing, POB 428,
White River Junction, Vermont 05001.1989.
Creasy, Rosalind. The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping. ISBN 0871562782. Sierra Club Books,
85 Second Street, San Francisco, California 94105.1982.
Denzer, Kiko. Build your own Earth Oven. ISBN 096798467X. Blodgett, Oregon: Hand Print Press,
POB 576, Blodgett, Oregon 97326. 2004.
Emery, Carla. The Encyclopedia of Country Living. ISBN 157061377X . Seattle: Sasquatch Books,
119 S. Main #400, Seattle, Washington, 98104. 1994.
Evangelista, Nick and Anita. Blood Lust Chickens and Renegade Sheep: A first timer's guide to
country living. ISBN 1559501979. Port Townsend, Washington: Loompanics, POB 1197, Port
Townsend, Washington 98368.1999.
Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia II: A Source Book of Edible Plants. ISBN 0962808725. Kampong
Publications, 1870 Sunrise Drive, Vista, California 92084. 1998.
Fallon, Sally and Feng, Mary. Nourishing Traditions. ISBN 0967089735 . New Trends Publishing, 401
Kings Highway, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590. 2001.
Fisher, Joe and Dennis. The Homebrewer's Garden. ISBN 1580170102. Storey Publishing, 210
MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, Massachusetts 01247. 1998.
Fisher, Rick and Yanda, Bill. The Food and Heat Producing Solar Greenhouse. ISBN 0912528206.
John Muir Publications, POB 613, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501. 1976.
Halwell, Brian. Eat Here. ISBN 0393326640. New York: W.W. Norton, 500 Fifth Avenue, New York,
New York 10110. 2004.
Harlan, Michael and Linda. Growing Profits: How to start and operate a backyard nursery. ISBN
0965456749. Chelsea Green Publishing, POB 428, White River Junction, Vermont
05001.1997.
Hart, Robert. Forest Gardening: Cultivating an edible landscape. ISBN 0930031849. Chelsea Green
Publishing, POB 428, White River Junction, Vermont 05001. 1991.
176
Hertzberg, Ruth, Vaughan, Beatrice, and Greene, Janet. The New Putting Food By, 3rd Ed. ISBN
0828904685. Stephen Greene Press, Fessenden Road, Brattleboro, Vermont 05301.1982.
Hynes, Patricia. A Patch of Eden: America’s Inner-city Gardeners. ISBN 0930031806. Chelsea Green
Publishing, POB 428, White River Junction, Vermont 05001. 1996.
Jacke, Dave and Toensmeier, Eric. Edible Forest Gardens, Volumes 1 and 2. ISBN 1890132608.
Chelsea Green Publishing Company, POB 428, White River Junction, Vermont 05001. 2005.
Jaine, Tom. Building a Wood-Fired Oven for Bread and Pizza. ISBN 090732570X. Devon, England:
Prospect Books, Allaleigh House, Blackawton, Totnes, Devon, England TQ9 7DL. 1996.
Jeavons, John. How To Grow More Vegetables. ISBN 1580087965. Ten Speed Press, POB 7123,
Berkeley, California 94707.1995.
Jeavons, John and Cox, Carol. The Sustainable Vegetable Garden. ISBN 1580080162. Ten Speed
Press, POB 7123, Berkeley, California 94707.1999.
Jeavons, John, Griffin, Mogador, and Leler, Robin. Backyard Homestead, Mini-Farm and Garden Log
Book. ISBN 0898150930. Ecology Action, 5798 Ridgewood Road, Willits, California
95490.1983.
Kains, M.G. Five Acres and Independence. ISBN 0844647616. New American Library, 1633
Broadway, New York, New York 10019.1948.
Katz, Sandor Ellix. Wild Fermentation. ISBN 1931498237. Chelsea Green Publishing, POB 428,
White River Junction, Vermont 05001. 2003.
Altrista Consumer Products. Ball Blue Book of Preserving, ISBN 0972753702. P.O.B. 2729, Muncie,
Indiana 47307. 2004.
Kourik, Robert. Designing and Maintaining your Edible Landscape Naturally. ISBN 1856230260.
Metamorphic Press, POB 1841, Santa Rosa, California 95402.1986.
Kuepper, George and Dodsen, Marti. Companion Planting: Basic concepts and resources.
Horticultural Technical Note # IP125/71. ATTRA, POB 3657, Fayetteville, AR 72702. 800-3469140.
Lamb, Samuel H. Woody Plants of the Southwest. ISBN 0913270504. Sunstone Press, Box 2321,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504.1989.
Lee, Andrew. Backyard Market Gardening. ISBN 0962464805. Good Earth Publications, 20
Greenway Place, Buena Vista, Virginia 24416.1993.
Logsden, Gene. The Contrary Farmer's Invitation to Gardening. ISBN 0930031962. Chelsea Green
Publishing, POB 428, White River Junction, Vermont 05001. 1997.
177
McHoy, Peter and Donaldson, Stephanie. Small and Container Gardening. ISBN 1840389672. Annes
Publishing, 88-89 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HA, UK. 2001.
Moulton, LeArta. The Amazing Wheat Book. ISBN 0935596135. LM Publications, 885 East 900 North,
Mapleton, Utah 84664.1997.
Niethammer, Carolyn. American Indian Food and Lore. ISBN 0020100000. Collier Books, 866 Third
Avenue, New York, New York 10022. 1974.
Papazian, Charlie. The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing. ISBN 0060531053. Avon Books, 10
East 53rd Street, New York, New York 10022.1991.
Salatin, Joel. Holy Cows and Hog Heaven: the food buyers guide to farm friendly food. ISBN
0963810944. Polyface Farm, 43 Pure Meadows Lane, Swoope, Virginia 24479. 2004.
Stark, Norman. The Formula Book. ISBN 0836222083. Sheed and Ward, 4501 Forbes Blvd, Lanham,
Maryland 20706. 1976.
Tarr, Yvonne Young. The Up With Wholesome Down With Store-bought Book of Recipes and
Household Formulas. ISBN 0394731409. Random House, 1745 Broadway, New York, New
York 10019. 1975.
Tenenbaum, Frances, ed. Taylor’s 50 Best Herbs and Edible flowers. ISBN 0395873355. Houghton
Mifflin, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, New York 10003. 1999.
Yeomans, P.A. Water for Every Farm: Yeomans Keyline Plan. ASIN B0007JVYQS. Keyline Designs,
POB 3289, Australia Fair Southport, Queensland 4215 Australia.1993.
Design for Health
Blumenthal, Mark, Senior Editor, Busse, Werner, et al. The Complete German E Commission
Monographs (Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines). Trans. by Sigrid Klein. Austin, Texas:
American Botanical Council, 6200 Manor Road, Austin, Texas 78723. 1998.
Bricklin, Mark. The Practical Encyclopedia of Natural Healing. ISBN 1567310052. Rodale Press, 33
East Minor Street, Emmaus, Pennsylvania 18098.1976.
Bricklin, Mark. Rodale’s Encyclopedia of Natural Home Remedies. ASIN B000GJ5JE2. Rodale Press,
33 East Minor Street, Emmaus, Pennsylvania 18098. 1982.
Cameron, Myra. Lifetime Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies. ISBN 0135352207. Parker Publishing,
West Nyack, New York 10995. 1993.
Craker, Lyle and Dinda, Kara. Grower’s Guide to Medicinal Plants. ISBN 0962986836. HSMP Press,
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178
Duke, James. The Green Pharmacy. ISBN 0312981511. St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New
York, New York 10010. 1997.
Foster, Steven and Duke, James. Eastern Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs, (Peterson Field
Guides). ISBN 0395988144. Houghton Mifflin, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, New York
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Gladstar, Rosemary and Hirsch, Pamela, editors.. Planting the Future: Saving our Medicinal Herbs.
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Washington 98368. 1979.
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179
Appendix 3.16 Index
Access ........................................ 59, 82, 95, 98
Ace Hardware ............................................. 120
aesthetics.............. 16, 33, 46, 57, 78, 105, 169
African Americans....................................... 156
air filter .......................................................... 52
air mattresses ......................................... 55, 84
air pipes ........................................................ 52
air pump .................................................. 55, 59
alliums........................................................... 17
alternative energy system ..................... 69, 111
alternative spring break............................... 169
Altrista Consumer Products ........................ 176
aluminum foil tape......................................... 64
ammonia ....................................................... 54
Amtrack......................................................... 25
and squash vine borer .................................. 42
angle of reflectance....................................... 66
Appelhof........................................ 33, 126, 174
Appendix 3.10 . 33, 40, 41, 42, 53, 90, 106, 159
Appendix 3.11 ....................................... 63, 168
Appendix 3.2 ............................................... 115
Appendix 3.3 ............................................... 119
Appendix 3.4 ........... 33, 40, 41, 76, 77, 78, 126
Appendix 3.531, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44,
52, 58, 63, 76, 128, 166
Appendix 3.9 ......................................... 59, 158
Applying Permaculture Principles in Kitchen
Designs.................................................. 170
arbor ........................... 45, 49, 58, 63, 166, 167
arbors.......................... 37, 40, 44, 45, 166, 167
Art Mertens ................................................. 116
ashes ............................................................ 68
Ashworth ............................................... 41, 174
Asian district.................................................. 24
attic ............................................... 63, 155, 168
Austrian winter peas ..................... 35, 130, 134
B&B Sales................................................... 120
baling wire..................................................... 33
Banks, Suzy ........................................ 126, 173
Bartholomew, Mel ............................... 126, 174
Base Map................................................ 19, 20
bathroom................................................. 54, 79
bathtub........................................ 33, 79, 95, 96
batteries ........ 59, 69, 71, 90, 95, 100, 123, 155
battery ..................................................... 69, 71
beams .........................................................166
beans ...................... 41, 54, 131, 135, 139, 160
beer ................................................... 50, 52, 89
berm .................................. 29, 30, 31, 104, 105
Bermuda grass...... 30, 31, 33, 38, 42, 104, 105
bicycle ...................................................59, 121
bicycle patch kit.............................................59
Bike One .....................................................121
blankets.........................................................52
blizzards ........................................................91
Blumenthal, Mark ................................ 126, 177
board and batten ...........................................56
books.......................................................52, 79
bow saw ........................................................52
bowls .....................................................53, 170
Bricklin, Mark...............................................177
Bricktown.......................................................25
brining ...........................................................53
Bubel, Mike and Nancy ...............................175
bucket........................................ 54, 79, 86, 124
buckets....................................................54, 79
budget ...................................................82, 107
C.Crane Company.......................................123
cabbage ........................................................17
Cabelas .......................................................124
Caddo..........................................................156
Cameron, Myra ...........................................177
candles..........................................................91
canned goods.............................. 52, 53, 54, 90
Canned goods ...........................................161
canning jars..................................... 53, 85, 106
canvas slipcover............................................64
carbon monoxide alarm.................................67
carrots ...........................................................17
cat litter..........................................................91
celery.............................................................46
cellar.................. 50, 51, 52, 57, 58, 89, 98, 110
cellulose ................................................63, 168
Central Great Plains ......................................25
chairs................................................. 52, 55, 58
Chappell Supply and Equipment .................123
chard .............................................................46
Cherokee.....................................................156
Chest freezer...............................................163
chest refrigerator ...................................54, 155
180
Chickasaw................................................... 156
Choctaw...................................................... 156
chopped straw............................................... 54
chopped straw toilet ...................................... 54
circular beds.................................................. 39
client survey ............................................ 17, 18
climate ............................................ 15, 25, 140
climate data................................................... 25
climbing plants ............................................ 166
climbing vines ............................. 46, 57, 58, 99
closet ................................................ 54, 55, 89
clothesline ............................................... 70, 71
clover ............................................................ 35
code enforcement ................... 33, 43, 105, 111
Coffee grounds ............................................. 35
colander ...................................................... 163
Colchie, Elizabeth Schneider ...................... 175
cold frames ........................................... 41, 108
Coleman ....................................... 41, 126, 175
collards ......................................................... 46
Community Involvement ............................. 169
companion planting....................... 40, 104, 106
compost28, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 42, 68, 94, 96,
112, 155
compost crops................................... 35, 37, 42
composting toilet ................................... 54, 112
concrete27, 28, 31, 44, 46, 50, 52, 57, 70, 76,
90
construction materials ................................. 120
container garden ................... 37, 46, 49, 93, 97
contour line ............................................. 29, 30
control erosion .............................................. 31
cornmeal ....................................................... 17
Cornucopia II............................................... 175
costume jewelry beads ................................. 87
courtyard patio ........................................ 57, 70
Cousineau, Phil........................................... 174
Cox, Carol ................................................... 176
Craftsman duplex.......................................... 18
Craker, Lyle................................................. 177
crawl space ................................................... 63
Creasy, Rosalind......................................... 175
Creek .......................................................... 156
Crockpot ..................................................... 163
Cross Timbers Transition .............................. 25
crow-bar ........................................................ 52
cucumber beetles.......................................... 42
cutting boards................................................53
dairy ..............................................................17
Debris............................................................52
Dehydration...................................................41
Dehydrator, solar and electric .....................163
Denzer, Kiko................................................175
Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry
...............................................................115
Department of Environmental Quality.. 115, 117
Depression ..................................................156
design1, 15, 18, 24, 25, 59, 81, 82, 87, 90, 93,
159, 167, 169, 170
dewberry .......................................................57
Dinda, Kara .................................................177
dirt 28, 32, 50, 52
do community permaculture outreach ...........88
dog food ........................................................17
dogs ..............................................................91
Dolese Brothers ..........................................121
Donaldson, Stephanie ......................... 127, 177
door ......... 33, 44, 46, 49, 51, 52, 54, 61, 63, 70
doors18, 24, 30, 41, 51, 52, 54, 56, 61, 65, 86,
120, 155
downspouts .............................................77, 78
driveway24, 27, 28, 30, 46, 50, 67, 76, 79, 93,
97, 99, 104, 107
Duke, James ...............................................178
dumpster ...............................................98, 110
Dust Bowl ....................................................157
earth anchors ........................................84, 166
Earth Works ..................................................27
East Central Ministries ................................121
east property line.....................................30, 50
eaves.....................................................46, 168
eggs ........................................................17, 79
electric assist bicycle......................... 59, 95, 98
electric food dryer..........................................53
electric skillet.........................................53, 170
Electricity.....................................................173
electronic equipment .....................................89
elm tree ................................. 50, 66, 75, 93, 99
emergency equipment..................... 90, 93, 101
emergency lighting system............................52
Emery....................................................41, 175
Energy40, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70,
71, 83, 85, 86, 93, 95, 96, 98, 99, 100, 103,
107, 108, 109, 111, 112
181
energy consumption........................ 70, 95, 100
Epiphany Church ............ 16, 17, 33, 35, 59, 60
equipment suppliers...................................... 78
erosion control ...................................... 33, 105
escape hatch................................................. 52
espalier ......................................................... 43
espaliers ....................................................... 37
Evangelista, Anita ....................................... 173
Evangelista, Nick and Anita ........................ 175
Evans ............................................................ 16
exhaust pipes................................................ 52
Existing features ................................... 18, 155
eye bolts ....................................................... 63
eye hooks ..................................................... 46
Facciola, Stephen ....................................... 175
fall 35, 36, 40, 41, 52, 68, 141, 142, 143, 146,
152, 169
Fallon, Sally ................................................ 175
fallout shelter................................................. 50
Farallones Institute...................................... 174
farmers markets ...................................... 41, 90
Fathy, Hassan............................................. 173
Fats/oils ..................................................... 160
Faucet Parts Center.................................... 120
fence ............................... 43, 50, 57, 58, 68, 75
Feng, Mary.................................................. 175
fermenting ......................................... 53, 54, 85
ferrocement............................... 76, 86, 87, 109
fertility.............................. 33, 35, 36, 41, 94, 96
fertilizer ....................................... 54, 95, 96, 97
filtration system ............................................. 79
Fire Department .......................................... 117
fire extinguisher............................................. 67
fireplaces ...................................................... 55
firewood .................................................. 33, 35
Fisher, Joe and Dennis ............................... 175
Fisher, Rick ................................................. 175
flares ............................................................. 91
flour................................................. 17, 53, 160
flower pots .................................................. 111
flowers .................................. 44, 128, 130, 177
Food grade storage containers ................... 163
food preparation.......................... 53, 54, 93, 96
food preservation .................................. 53, 112
Food processing and storage........................ 49
Food processor/blender .............................. 163
food production37, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 104,
106, 108, 109, 110, 112
Food Production............................ 37, 105, 106
food security..................................................41
food storage52, 53, 54, 90, 91, 93, 96, 97, 155,
170
fossil fuels ...................................................157
Foster, Steven.............................................178
Fox Brick and Stone ....................................121
Freeh.............................................................63
French drain ..................................................51
front porch ................... 21, 44, 56, 75, 111, 112
fruit trees ............................. 29, 30, 31, 43, 170
funnels.........................................................163
furniture .........................................................55
garage ............................................. 87, 89, 112
garden beds .... 32, 34, 35, 38, 40, 43, 105, 107
gardeners ........................................ 35, 79, 169
garlic.................................................... 130, 134
Gatewood.................................... 15, 18, 24, 89
genetic diversity.............................................41
Geo Metro .....................................................59
Gladstar, Rosemary ....................................178
glass........................................................41, 66
GMO seeds ...................................................41
goals.................................................... 107, 168
Grain and meat grinders..............................163
Grains.........................................................160
Grass clippings............................................162
gravel ......................................................28, 51
gravity flow ....................................................76
green manure................................................35
Green, James..............................................178
Greene, Janet .............................................176
greenhouse ....................................... 40, 93, 97
greens ...........................................................17
Greyhound bus..............................................25
ground cover ........... 30, 31, 33, 42, 52, 94, 105
ground covers ......................... 31, 33, 104, 105
growing food............................................32, 46
Guaranteed Watt Savers.......................83, 120
guests......................................................55, 97
gutters ...........................................................77
Habitat for Humanity Renovation Station ....120
Halwell, Brian ..............................................175
hand pump wells ........................... 79, 103, 106
hanging pot rack............................................53
182
Harlan, Michael and Linda .......................... 175
Hart, Robert ................................................ 175
Harvest Solar .............................................. 123
hay ........................................................ 33, 162
hazardous waste disposal............................. 72
Hazards....................................................... 100
health and safety......................................... 100
heat loss through walls ............................... 168
heat transmission.................................... 61, 98
hedge...44, 46, 57, 58, 104, 106, 110, 111, 129
Heinichen .......................... 77, 78, 79, 126, 173
heirloom plants...................................... 41, 108
Hemenway .................................................... 35
Herbaceous Plants.................................... 134
HERBACEOUS PLANTS ........................... 130
herbs........................................... 17, 45, 53, 87
Hertzberg, Ruth........................................... 176
Hess, Karl ................................................... 178
Hirsch, Pamela............................................ 178
Home Depot........................................ 121, 122
Home Energy Audit................................. 61, 98
Homestead School................................ 53, 116
hootenanny ................................................... 55
hot peppers ................................................... 17
hot water system........................................... 71
house18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 38,
40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 50, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58,
59, 61, 63, 67, 68, 73, 75, 76, 78, 79, 89,
90, 91, 92, 98, 99, 103, 104, 105, 106, 108,
111, 112, 116, 155, 166, 167, 168, 169
household storage ................................ 49, 166
Human Excreta Management. ...................... 54
humanure...................................................... 54
Humanure Handbook.................... 54, 126, 173
humidity................................................... 50, 52
Hynes, Patricia............................................ 176
ice storms ..................................................... 91
indoor clothes drying racks ........................... 71
insectary plants ............................................. 42
insulation18, 61, 63, 64, 81, 83, 111, 112, 155,
168
Integral Urban House.................................. 174
inverter .......................................................... 69
Jacke, Dave ................................................ 176
Jaine, Tom .................................................. 176
Jar lifter ....................................................... 163
Java Dave’s ................................................ 119
Javits, Tom..................................................174
Jeavons, John ..................................... 126, 176
Jenkins, Joseph .................................. 126, 173
John Jeavons ................................................35
Johnson.................................................53, 116
Jornher, Steve.............................................173
Kains, M.G. .................................................176
Kathy Tibbits ...............................................116
Katz, Sandor Ellix ........................................176
Kay ...................................................... 1, 15, 16
Kern, Barbara..............................................173
keyhole..........................................................39
Khalili, Nader...............................................173
Kill-a-Watt meters..........................................70
kitchen33, 45, 46, 49, 50, 53, 54, 61, 67, 70,
79, 84, 93, 96, 167, 170
Knives .........................................................163
Kourik, Robert ..................................... 126, 176
Ku Klux Klan................................................156
labor ......................................................98, 168
Lamb, Samuel H .........................................176
laundry .................................... 70, 85, 103, 107
lawn...............................................................33
leaves...................... 35, 54, 128, 129, 130, 162
Lee, Andrew ................................................176
legumes......................................... 41, 104, 106
Legumes ....................................................160
lentils .............................................................41
lettuce............................................................46
lighting...........................................................52
Lightning........................................................89
living area................................................55, 61
local food system ............................ 18, 90, 169
locator beacon...............................................50
Locke Supply...............................................120
Logsden, Gene............................................176
Longacre, Doris Janzen ..............................173
Lowes Home Supply ................... 121, 122, 123
Ludwig...................................................76, 127
MacEachern, Diane.....................................173
matches...................................................76, 91
Materials Cycling ...........................................70
materials recycling.........................................70
mattresses...............................................55, 89
maul ..............................................................52
McHoy, Peter ...................................... 127, 177
McKinley Street .......................................27, 29
183
measuring cups and spoons ............... 163, 170
meats .................................................... 17, 161
medicinal herbs............................................. 45
Mesonet ...................................................... 118
Metropolitan Environmental Trust ............... 115
Metropolitan Public Library.......................... 115
micro-climate................................................. 33
Microorganisms............................................. 35
minimum/maximum recording thermometer.. 52
Mississippi valley cultures ........................... 156
Mollison, Bill ................................................ 173
money ................... 17, 81, 82, 93, 98, 106, 107
Moore.................................................. 119, 122
mosquito ....................................................... 56
Moulton, LeArta........................................... 177
mulch .......................... 32, 33, 35, 36, 105, 106
musical instruments .............................. 55, 112
mustard ......................................................... 46
National Weather Service Forecast Office .. 140
Native Plant Society............................ 117, 118
natural gas chimneys .................................... 55
natural gas production .................................. 17
Newspapers ................................................ 162
Niethammer, Carolyn .................................. 177
nitrates .......................................................... 54
nitrogen fertilizer ........................................... 54
nitrogen fixer ................................................. 42
nitrogen fixing.......................................... 94, 96
Northern Cross Timbers................................ 25
nuclear attack................................................ 50
nuclear war ................................................... 52
nutrient accumulator ..................................... 42
NUTRIENT CYCLES .................................. 104
Nutrient Management ............................. 27, 33
nuts ................................................... 17, 49, 56
Oehler ............................................. 50, 52, 173
office ........................... 55, 61, 70, 89, 100, 115
oil 17, 128, 129, 133, 156, 157, 160
Oil press...................................................... 163
OKC Metro Bus System.............................. 117
Okies........................................................... 157
Oklahoma1, 15, 17, 18, 24, 25, 27, 40, 41, 42,
51, 53, 54, 56, 59, 61, 63, 66, 70, 82, 85,
87, 90, 91, 115, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121,
123, 124, 140, 156, 157, 169, 174
Oklahoma City1, 15, 18, 24, 25, 54, 59, 70, 87,
91, 115, 116, 117, 120, 156, 157
Gatewood neighborhood....................15, 18
Oklahoma County............ 24, 51, 116, 118, 156
Oklahoma Extension ...............................40, 41
Oklahoma Fall Gardening Guide...................40
Oklahoma Food Cooperative17, 18, 41, 42, 56,
87, 90, 124, 169
Oklahoma Gardening Guide..........................40
Oklahoma Organic Garden Planner ..............42
Oklahoma Sustainability Network........ 117, 169
Olkowski, Helga and Bill..............................174
ollas.............................................................121
Ondura ...................................... 49, 56, 83, 121
onions............................................ 41, 104, 106
on-site income potential ................................87
organic ................................ 17, 27, 33, 54, 116
Organic Gardeners Association ..................116
Osage..........................................................156
Oscar Romero Catholic Worker ....................16
Oscar Romero Catholic Worker Community
See Oscar Romero Catholic Worker House
Oscar Romero Catholic Worker House .....1, 16
Outdoor cooking equipment ........................163
overflow outlet ...............................................76
pallets............................................................33
pans ......................................................53, 163
Papazian, Charlie ........................................177
parsley...........................................................46
passive air intake ..........................................52
passive heating .............................................55
passive solar heating and cooling systems61,
95, 98
pasta .............................................................54
pavement ................................................66, 67
peas ......................................................41, 138
perennial food producing plants ....................37
Perennial food production .............................37
perimeter ........... 44, 46, 57, 104, 106, 110, 111
PERMACULTURE ........................................82
pet food .........................................................52
pick ax ...........................................................52
Piggot, Hugh ...............................................174
pint jars..........................................................53
planter box .............................. 46, 85, 108, 109
plywood ...................................................33, 56
potatoes ................................................17, 138
Pressure canner..........................................163
pressure canning...................................53, 106
184
Pressure canning .......................................... 41
private sidewalk ............................................ 30
propane............................... 49, 90, 91, 95, 101
propane camp stove ..................................... 49
Propane grill.................................................. 49
public sidewalk27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 44, 58, 79,
103, 105
pumpkins ...................................................... 42
Quapaw....................................................... 156
quart jars ....................................................... 53
rainfall ................................................... 15, 140
Rainfilters of Texas ............................. 123, 124
rainwater harvesting............ 43, 73, 77, 91, 109
rainwater runoff ............................................. 31
raised beds ............................................. 36, 37
Recommended Food Storage Amounts.. 160
red cedar..................................... 25, 27, 31, 84
Red Cedar Creations .................................. 122
red cedar posts ............................................. 31
Red Cup...................................................... 119
religious devotional items.............................. 52
retaining walls27, 28, 29, 31, 44, 84, 103, 105,
106, 111
retractable clothes line .................................. 70
rice ................................................................ 54
roof.18, 51, 63, 71, 73, 77, 90, 94, 97, 108, 110
root cellar ................ 50, 51, 52, 54, 57, 89, 110
rosaries ........................................... 87, 93, 100
rose............................................... 57, 132, 135
rugs ............................................. 55, 63, 93, 99
S hooks ......................................................... 53
Salatin, Joel ................................................ 177
salt .......................................................... 17, 54
saw ............................................................... 52
sawdust................................................. 54, 112
Schmitz ......................................................... 16
Scott, Ray ................................................... 174
Seed Savers Exchange .............. 116, 126, 174
Seminole ..................................................... 156
sewer ...................................................... 31, 50
shade42, 45, 46, 58, 62, 63, 66, 78, 92, 98, 99,
106, 108, 109, 110, 129, 130, 131, 132
sheet mulch....................................... 28, 31, 33
shingles......................................................... 56
shovel ..................................................... 52, 91
Shredded small limbs and woody materials 162
shrubs ............................................. 44, 79, 106
Shrubs and Canes.....................................129
Shuman, Michael ........................................178
Shurcliff, William..........................................174
shutters ........................... 40, 64, 65, 66, 93, 99
Siberian pea tree...........................................87
Slay, Reny Mia ............................................173
Smith, Michael G .........................................174
social and economic history ..................25, 156
soil26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34, 36, 41, 46, 54, 79,
94, 96, 103, 104, 105, 109
soil levels................................. 27, 79, 103, 105
Soil Management ........................................104
solar chargers ...............................................71
solar clothes dryer .........................................70
solar dehydration...........................................53
solar food dryer .....................................53, 112
Solar oven ...................................................163
solar power...................................... 71, 95, 100
solar radiation................................................66
Species lists ................................................128
speed bump ............................ 76, 79, 104, 107
spices ......................................................17, 53
Sprouter ......................................................163
Square Foot Gardening................. 40, 126, 174
squash....................................... 17, 42, 93, 139
Staging ..........................................................93
stairs........................................................32, 51
Stark, Norman .............................................177
Staton, Inc. ..................................................121
storage building18, 22, 23, 24, 42, 44, 45, 50,
54, 55, 56, 57, 69, 73, 75, 76, 78, 79, 90,
91, 94, 97, 110, 111, 112, 166, 167
storage equipment ........................................52
Strickler, Darryl............................................174
stucco............................................................63
students........................................... 16, 97, 169
summer33, 40, 42, 45, 46, 49, 50, 55, 56, 62,
63, 66, 78, 82, 91, 93, 96, 98, 155, 167
sun porch18, 22, 33, 40, 44, 45, 46, 49, 57, 61,
63, 64, 65, 66, 83, 87, 93, 95, 97, 99, 108,
109, 166
sunlight................ 33, 43, 46, 49, 65, 66, 93, 99
Super Media Store ......................................120
Suzy Banks ...................................................77
swale ....................................... 29, 31, 104, 105
sweet potatoes ..............................................17
Sweeteners ................................................160
185
Tagari Publications ..................................... 173
tank ............................................. 68, 71, 76, 78
tanks40, 43, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 86, 87, 91,
109, 110
Tarr, Yvonne Young.................................... 177
Taylor, John S............................................. 174
Tenenbaum, Frances.................................. 177
Texas Rainwater Harvesting Manual ............ 77
The International Permaculture Journal ........ 35
the Oscar Romero Catholic Worker .. 1, 16, 169
The Rain Well ..................................... 123, 124
thermal mass .......................................... 55, 63
Toensmeier, Eric......................................... 176
toilet seat ...................................................... 54
tomato sauce ................................................ 17
tomatoes ....................................................... 17
tools ................................................ 52, 87, 155
tornado shelter ...... 50, 51, 52, 89, 93, 100, 110
tornadoes ................................................ 50, 51
trailing plants................................................. 44
transoms ....................................................... 61
trash.............................................................. 35
travelers ............................................ 16, 55, 97
Tree Bank Foundation ................................ 118
trees31, 34, 42, 43, 68, 79, 90, 91, 92, 110,
169
TREES ........................................................ 128
trellis ................................... 43, 44, 46, 63, 166
trellises.................................................... 37, 44
trickle charger ............................................... 69
trunk pipe lines.............................................. 78
tunnel ............................................................ 52
turkey fryer .................................................... 49
Unassigned Lands ...................................... 156
unglazed clay pots ........................................ 79
Uninterruptible Power System......... 89, 95, 101
urban permaculture..................................... 169
urbanite ......................................................... 50
urine.................................................. 54, 95, 97
utility room... 54, 61, 64, 67, 70, 76, 93, 99, 100
Vaughan, Beatrice ...................................... 176
vegetables......................................... 17, 37, 40
Vegetables .................................. 138, 161, 176
ventilation............................ 61, 62, 83, 98, 155
vermiculture............... 33, 34, 68, 75, 95, 96, 99
vertical growing ....................... 40, 44, 104, 106
vetch..............................................................35
Vines ...........................................................139
Waldrop....................................... 1, 15, 16, 170
water18, 27, 28, 29, 31, 33, 35, 40, 43, 49, 51,
52, 53, 54, 68, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79,
83, 86, 90, 91, 95, 101, 103, 104, 107, 108,
109, 110, 123, 163
water run-off ...................... 29, 52, 79, 104, 107
water storage tanks .................................33, 78
weather ..................................... 33, 53, 91, 155
Weisman, Alan ............................................178
Wheat.................................................. 160, 177
Wheatman, John .........................................174
Wichita ........................................................156
Will Rogers International Airport....................25
Winchester, William Paul.............................174
window screen ..............................................56
windows41, 49, 56, 64, 65, 66, 78, 86, 93, 99,
120, 155
windstorm......................................................52
windstorms ....................................................50
wine................................................... 50, 52, 89
winter17, 33, 35, 36, 40, 41, 42, 46, 49, 55, 56,
57, 63, 66, 78, 91, 93, 95, 96, 99, 101, 108,
130, 134, 168
winter cover crops ...................................36, 96
Witty, Helen.................................................175
Wonder Clean hand washer..........................70
wood burning stove .......................................67
Wood chips .................................................162
wood stove safety.............................. 67, 95, 99
Woodchuck Chop ................................ 119, 122
work quadrangle............................................53
workshop...............................................99, 170
workshops ............................. 88, 103, 107, 170
Worm Solutions...........................................124
worms......................................................33, 35
wringer ....................................................70, 85
Yanda, Bill ...................................................175
Yeomans, P.A. ............................................177
Zaugg, Andy................................................173