The trick for watering trees in this area is to turn your ground into a sponge because it will hold a thousand times more water than your tanks. That means LOTS of mulch EVERYWHERE. Also deep and wide tree wells filled with mulch. And find the water flow patterns on the land then direct that toward your trees. On flat land a very small berm will retain an enormous amount of water on the surface that will then soak in slowly, so try to pile a small inconspicuous berm on contour around large areas. Most people around here go out of their way to build drainage paths to get rid of rain water. Makes more sense to find areas you can intentionally flood, and provide a stabilized overflow route that then leads to the next area you want to flood. Slow down the water flow across your land as much as possible so it has time to soak in. That is why mulch and ground cover are critical. It keeps the surface from baking into an impermeable watershed. Also the mulch composts and puts organic matter into the soil, then worms and microbes start making good soil. Mulch is free from the landfill, and there are a couple locals who will deliver large quantities (10 or 12 yards) for under $100 per load.
Hi Don, I live in a windy cold winter area of Colorado, and the wind dries out a lot of moisture. I understand how that can just dry up plants. But you'd be surprised how plants sometimes adapt. I hope your trees all make it! I think that's great about your water catch plans. You are smart to think of these things. I was feeling a bit down about a new challenge I recently experienced, but you know Don, I just watched this video of yours. And I thought, I need to be more like Don, Take it one thing at a time, keep at it, and each day brings you closer to your dreams. So, thanks Don! I hope your week is awesome! Until the next video🥰👋👋👍
For my off grid home, near Tucson, I have rainwater harvesting tanks , filled via gutters. The roofline is approx 52 ft long, the pitch is high and about 16ft. With the rain we had last month and Feb, the tanks are full…2250 gallons total. I have potable water delivered, but the rainwater takes care of the plants, and eventually, laundry.
Hi Don, you are progressing very well. I would suggest a tree that would be suitable for your environment and its the olive tree. Olive tree is very tough and drought tolerant also date palm. Also Buckthorn tree (Jujube). The birds and humans will enjoy its fruits.
Thank God for cordless tools Don. Imagine having to run extension cables for all of your different power tools .I love the fact that you can harvest water as well as energy .
Thanks for sharing you progress in yet another enjoyable video Don! I enjoy watching you make progress -- it's truly inspiring! Marvelous Monday to you! 🙂
100 sq ft roof gives 62 gallons (minus some losses in the system) per inch of rain. So your shed giving nearly 120 gallons per inch of rain will help. But you need STORAGE. You could probably be OK if you just had more storage. Lots of your rain hitting your roof still goes to the ground. I have 2 3000 gallon tanks and that is marginal for one person's normal use, assuming it's all filled by just one rainfall a year. (thatnkfully, that is not realistic) That doesn't allow much for irrigation. If I add tanks, I can theoretically average collecting 54,000 gallons a year with my roof space and local average rianfall. The vast majority of the last 5.5 inch rain that hit my roof here just ran out the overflows from my tanks. Your cheapest per gallon tanks tend to be used food grade "IBC Totes" Close to 35 cents per gallon of storage. But that ignores the plumbing to connect a bunch together and you'd be lining these things up. You'd want a small trailer such as the Harbor Freight 4 ft X 8 ft to haul 2 tanks at a time behind your car. (You are overdue to get such a trailer. It would make hauling materials much easier than inside your car. Less trips too so it saves gas.) 3000 gallon poly tanks much like your current smaller tank are the cheapst per gallon poly tank at about 90 cents a gallon. (+ delivery if you can't haul it homeyourself.) Hauling one of these needs a 10 ft + trailer... they are light but very bulky. I stood mine up by hand by myself after hauling them home one at a time. A huge 30,000 gallon tank comes out close to 50 cents a gallon. But that's a huge investment. Appx $15,000. + site prep might add to cost.
Hi Huber. I am not tending livestock or other heavy water useages. I am judging this after living here going on 4 years. I simply am very aware how much water I use. So if I can live off of a 200 sq ft roof with only 2-3 water deliveries per year for going on 4 years now, the math then states that with increasing my catchment amounts and adding two 2500 gallon tanks for catchment as I stated in this video it should work. Stay tuned as I find out.
Hello Don, so exciting to see your progress on the homestead "ADL". Always fun to see your progress. You are so lovely to include your hummmingbirds too. I saw a Cardinal, Blue Heron and Hummingbird within like a 60 second time period....Spring is so full of activity! Lumber delivered for framing...wow! Prayers for a speedy , safe build. Cheers!
I considered moving to a rural area of Arizona, Show Low in particular. But since big farms are taking over the ground water supply in rural areas, I'm reconsidering.
Yes, I've been wondering bout the shower shed, but so much to do, the big house foundation had to get "squared" away first. I see the vision, it's going to be a place that feels and works great for you. Love every inch of progress, keep it up, Don.
Nice update Don, I wish for speediness on getting your walls up on both home & shower & car port projects and then rain water catchment sysems can be placed!🌵🌵
man don you are going to have a wonderful place to call home and you did it your way it is a very special place for sure. I enjoy your videos wishing you the best.
Don, FYI Cottonwoods, Oleanders and Mesquite all have roots that go for your water/sewer lines. Have you checked the Master Gardener program for trees like Desert Willow that are a little more friendly to plumbing?
Hi Don. Swales and planting in landscape depressions will allow rainwater (natural and from rooftops) to flow and sink into the areas planted. Work upfront will reap years of rewards. 😊
Most plants and trees are hardy and some die off does happen. All that goodness that went into upward and outward growth, gets pushed back to the root system. That is shown in the new growth you are seeing. Trimming some of the roots does the same thing. I always planted pot grown trees/shrubs by spredding out the root system especially it the root ball was a tangled mess. Pruning the longer roots back too. Bigger hole with a dose of good soil and well rotted compost gives the plant a good chance to thrive with a healthy root system. I once had an eight foot tall Norfolk pine that outgrew a friend's ceiling. Repotted it into a bigger container and it thrived until one large root strangled the life out of it under the soil.
Your doing so good there Don all the trees make sure those grapes you cover in hardware cloth or we call it 1/2 inch wire for fences and stuff the rabits and other animals there eating your trees and plants you have to they love the greens to eat
I have found with new trees they need daily for about a year. I recommend mulching it helps cut down on them drying out and some berms. I also cover some trees on super cold nights when young. I live in New Mexico.
The good news, as you know, is that birds scatter seeds from desert plants, the kind that can handle your specific environment. The Western cottonwood grows in Tucson along the washes somewhat. In neighborhoods that have not yet banned them because of heavy water needs, they grow well. Our neighborhood banned them also because they are messy. Steep learning curve for Tucsonans: My allergy Dr. said pollen has been year round for about 30 years because those of us not from here want our trees and bushes from where we came from! I plead guilty! Always so good to watch your videos Don.
Please don't forget to add a couple inches of mulch around plants you want. Mulch helps a lot, reduces evaporation, moderates soil temperatures and as it eventually decomposes it adds organic material and improves soil.
Do you ever wonder if the next person(s) who live there will appreciate all the hard work, time, and sweat equity you are putting in to your place? Enjoy doing things while you're able!!
I dropped a link to desert crop growing in a container. I would use used reefer trailers, which I can get dirt cheap. And I'll show you too. Oh ya the link I dropped was for commercial production But the same technique can be used for personal survival.
Please put some safety caps on those rebar at your "shower" construction. It's so easy, especially when older, to trip and fall, and if you hit a rebar in the fall, it can KILL you.
Don, I tried to purchase the water tank for you from Amazon. I encountered an error that said the item could not be shipped to a registry or wish list address. Sorry.
Really really simple. Have no interest in having some big company grinning as they raise my power bills whenever they feel like it. Plus I never have a power outage. Also I have plenty of power and all that I need from the sun which shines here over 300 days per year.
The shed is not listed as my residence on my permit. Years ago I listed my (now under construction) big home. More room for friends and family is the idea.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 good luck then. a well is an idea. ever heard of fog nets? they are using them in the Chilean desert,worlds driest area. gallons of water every dsy.
I couldn't move somewhere where there is a shortage of water and couldn't drill a well or it would be so expensive. I got a bored well and everything was under $2,000 in 1986. I can use water whenever I want, for as long as I want, for whatever I want and never have to worry about running out ! Great peace of mind for over 38years. I have never lived anywhere that you had to worry about water @ 67 years old.
The trick for watering trees in this area is to turn your ground into a sponge because it will hold a thousand times more water than your tanks. That means LOTS of mulch EVERYWHERE. Also deep and wide tree wells filled with mulch. And find the water flow patterns on the land then direct that toward your trees. On flat land a very small berm will retain an enormous amount of water on the surface that will then soak in slowly, so try to pile a small inconspicuous berm on contour around large areas. Most people around here go out of their way to build drainage paths to get rid of rain water. Makes more sense to find areas you can intentionally flood, and provide a stabilized overflow route that then leads to the next area you want to flood. Slow down the water flow across your land as much as possible so it has time to soak in. That is why mulch and ground cover are critical. It keeps the surface from baking into an impermeable watershed. Also the mulch composts and puts organic matter into the soil, then worms and microbes start making good soil. Mulch is free from the landfill, and there are a couple locals who will deliver large quantities (10 or 12 yards) for under $100 per load.
Good tips Edward. Thanks.
Hi Don, I live in a windy cold winter area of Colorado, and the wind dries out a lot of moisture. I understand how that can just dry up plants. But you'd be surprised how plants sometimes adapt. I hope your trees all make it! I think that's great about your water catch plans. You are smart to think of these things. I was feeling a bit down about a new challenge I recently experienced, but you know Don, I just watched this video of yours. And I thought, I need to be more like Don, Take it one thing at a time, keep at it, and each day brings you closer to your dreams. So, thanks Don! I hope your week is awesome! Until the next video🥰👋👋👍
How amazing that my channel was helpful in some way Martha. This made my week. Thanks for sharing.
Ahh yes, if more younger people than us would work as hard as Don….. what w wonderful world it could be.
For my off grid home, near Tucson, I have rainwater harvesting tanks , filled via gutters. The roofline is approx 52 ft long, the pitch is high and about 16ft. With the rain we had last month and Feb, the tanks are full…2250 gallons total. I have potable water delivered, but the rainwater takes care of the plants, and eventually, laundry.
Rainwater harvesting in an area where water is precious is paramount I believe.
Good idea to harvest as much rain water as you can.
No question for sure!
Hi Don, you are progressing very well.
I would suggest a tree that would be suitable for your environment and its the olive tree. Olive tree is very tough and drought tolerant also date palm. Also Buckthorn tree (Jujube). The birds and humans will enjoy its fruits.
Good tips many thanks.
Thank God for cordless tools Don. Imagine having to run extension cables for all of your different power tools .I love the fact that you can harvest water as well as energy .
Yep I could run extension cords but that would be a nuisance for sure Graeme. Yep solar and rainwater are amazing.
Plant high, dig a ring around the tree & mulch is your best friend.
Good point. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing you progress in yet another enjoyable video Don! I enjoy watching you make progress -- it's truly inspiring! Marvelous Monday to you! 🙂
Thanks Michelle. Hope things are going well for you at your home.
100 sq ft roof gives 62 gallons (minus some losses in the system) per inch of rain. So your shed giving nearly 120 gallons per inch of rain will help.
But you need STORAGE. You could probably be OK if you just had more storage. Lots of your rain hitting your roof still goes to the ground.
I have 2 3000 gallon tanks and that is marginal for one person's normal use, assuming it's all filled by just one rainfall a year. (thatnkfully, that is not realistic) That doesn't allow much for irrigation.
If I add tanks, I can theoretically average collecting 54,000 gallons a year with my roof space and local average rianfall. The vast majority of the last 5.5 inch rain that hit my roof here just ran out the overflows from my tanks.
Your cheapest per gallon tanks tend to be used food grade "IBC Totes" Close to 35 cents per gallon of storage. But that ignores the plumbing to connect a bunch together and you'd be lining these things up. You'd want a small trailer such as the Harbor Freight 4 ft X 8 ft to haul 2 tanks at a time behind your car. (You are overdue to get such a trailer. It would make hauling materials much easier than inside your car. Less trips too so it saves gas.)
3000 gallon poly tanks much like your current smaller tank are the cheapst per gallon poly tank at about 90 cents a gallon. (+ delivery if you can't haul it homeyourself.) Hauling one of these needs a 10 ft + trailer... they are light but very bulky. I stood mine up by hand by myself after hauling them home one at a time.
A huge 30,000 gallon tank comes out close to 50 cents a gallon. But that's a huge investment. Appx $15,000. + site prep might add to cost.
Hi Huber. I am not tending livestock or other heavy water useages. I am judging this after living here going on 4 years. I simply am very aware how much water I use. So if I can live off of a 200 sq ft roof with only 2-3 water deliveries per year for going on 4 years now, the math then states that with increasing my catchment amounts and adding two 2500 gallon tanks for catchment as I stated in this video it should work. Stay tuned as I find out.
Hello Don, so exciting to see your progress on the homestead "ADL". Always fun to see your progress. You are so lovely to include your hummmingbirds too. I saw a Cardinal, Blue Heron and Hummingbird within like a 60 second time period....Spring is so full of activity!
Lumber delivered for framing...wow! Prayers for a speedy , safe build. Cheers!
Oh yes Don all your plans for future water catchment is clearly a great plan.
Thanks so much for watching Nanny!
Cotton wood likes to live next to water.
True but pretty tough here so they are planted in upland areas as well.
I considered moving to a rural area of Arizona, Show Low in particular. But since big farms are taking over the ground water supply in rural areas, I'm reconsidering.
Because I am rainwater harvesting I never really worry about ground water scenarios.
Yes, I've been wondering bout the shower shed, but so much to do, the big house foundation had to get "squared" away first. I see the vision, it's going to be a place that feels and works great for you. Love every inch of progress, keep it up, Don.
So appreciate your support!
Nice update Don, I wish for speediness on getting your walls up on both home & shower & car port projects and then rain water catchment sysems can be placed!🌵🌵
Thanks so much for all of the encouragement.
man don you are going to have a wonderful place to call home and you did it your way it is a very special place for sure. I enjoy your videos wishing you the best.
Thanks so much Calvin.
Don, FYI Cottonwoods, Oleanders and Mesquite all have roots that go for your water/sewer lines. Have you checked the Master Gardener program for trees like Desert Willow that are a little more friendly to plumbing?
Thanks Karen. Yep love desert Willow and have one in the yard as we speak.
Cottonwood are notoriously Hardy chop the top and see what happens it will likely grow and you'll have a new shoots coming up soon. Good luck.
Thanks Jeff. Hoping that will work.
Hi Don. Swales and planting in landscape depressions will allow rainwater (natural and from rooftops) to flow and sink into the areas planted. Work upfront will reap years of rewards. 😊
Great input thanks very much Karen.
I believe there is always going to be some winter kill....all part of the cycle. Good luck!
I think so as well. Thanks
Yep more rain water means more tanks. Old Tilly was taking a beating from those plants you were taking out. Have a blessed week.
So far the tool seems to be handling my landscaping LOL.
Most plants and trees are hardy and some die off does happen. All that goodness that went into upward and outward growth, gets pushed back to the root system. That is shown in the new growth you are seeing. Trimming some of the roots does the same thing.
I always planted pot grown trees/shrubs by spredding out the root system especially it the root ball was a tangled mess. Pruning the longer roots back too.
Bigger hole with a dose of good soil and well rotted compost gives the plant a good chance to thrive with a healthy root system.
I once had an eight foot tall Norfolk pine that outgrew a friend's ceiling. Repotted it into a bigger container and it thrived until one large root strangled the life out of it under the soil.
Thanks for the tips Rags.
Your doing so good there Don all the trees make sure those grapes you cover in hardware cloth or we call it 1/2 inch wire for fences and stuff the rabits and other animals there eating your trees and plants you have to they love the greens to eat
No roos here though which is great (LOL)
I have found with new trees they need daily for about a year. I recommend mulching it helps cut down on them drying out and some berms. I also cover some trees on super cold nights when young. I live in New Mexico.
Good tips Sarah. Thanks!
I assume your solar array will have some rain guttering as well...
Already does. You can see the build in a previous video. Thanks for watching.
Always enjoy your updates. Keep up the good work
Appreciate you watching Elaine!
Don, you are looking younger! I think having projects reenergize us and it shows.
Wow thanks so much.
The good news, as you know, is that birds scatter seeds from desert plants, the kind that can handle your specific environment. The Western cottonwood grows in Tucson along the washes somewhat. In neighborhoods that have not yet banned them because of heavy water needs, they grow well. Our neighborhood banned them also because they are messy. Steep learning curve for Tucsonans: My allergy Dr. said pollen has been year round for about 30 years because those of us not from here want our trees and bushes from where we came from! I plead guilty! Always so good to watch your videos Don.
Thanks so much Lawrence!
I love spring. Here is the problem the floding. Good luck with everything!
Thanks Morten. Hope the flooding isnt too over the top.
Please don't forget to add a couple inches of mulch around plants you want. Mulch helps a lot, reduces evaporation, moderates soil temperatures and as it eventually decomposes it adds organic material and improves soil.
Thanks Bob. Some of my plants are quite well mulched but could use more for sure.
Good stuff, Don! you have your tanks already, don't you? Take care!
No not ordered yet. Perhaps later this summer.
You have an abundance of amazing motivation.
Thanks so much faith!
Great ideas Don.
Thanks so much.
Always enjoy your videos Don’. Can’t wait to see more of them.
More coming Oscar!
Re: trees and shrubs freezing/dying back during freezes, have you considered covering them with mini/modified green houses?
Chinese pistache and red push pistache are some of the best trees you can get. They can take the dry and cold as well as give a beautiful fall color.
Do you ever wonder if the next person(s) who live there will appreciate all the hard work, time, and sweat equity you are putting in to your place? Enjoy doing things while you're able!!
I hope that the next person enjoys it tremendously. I am definitely enjoying the retired guys workouts/building stuff routine.
Good work Don! Rule of thumb is 600 gallons are captured per 1 inch of rain on a 1000 sf area
Yep love rainwater harvesting.
Looking good Don ! 😁👍
Thanks Paul!
Magpies are dangerous in the mating season. Ears get sore.
Black bills are further north. Yellow bills only in the San Joaquin valley in California.
I dropped a link to desert crop growing in a container. I would use used reefer trailers, which I can get dirt cheap. And I'll show you too.
Oh ya the link I dropped was for commercial production
But the same technique can be used for personal survival.
Thanks for the input and for watching.
Hope you made a nice brush pile with all those cuttings. The birds love them, as you know! Of course, so do the rodents....
I did actually and the quail love that section of my property.
Please put some safety caps on those rebar at your "shower" construction. It's so easy, especially when older, to trip and fall, and if you hit a rebar in the fall, it can KILL you.
Good tip. Thanks. Actually they are bolts and not so dangerous but even so need to be watched out for.
Don, I tried to purchase the water tank for you from Amazon. I encountered an error that said the item could not be shipped to a registry or wish list address. Sorry.
That is so kind! Please email me for instructions. affordabledesertliving@gmail.com
Don< I'm curious as to why you aren't plating fruit bearing trees?
Hi Mark. So cold and windy during parts of the year most citrus cant handle it.
There must be some way that you can protect those trees from wind and cold. Some sort of wrapping with plastic or fabric or whatever.
A work in progress but I will learn bit by bit.
Wondering why, with electricity only 350' from the corner of your property you don't go on grid!!
Really really simple. Have no interest in having some big company grinning as they raise my power bills whenever they feel like it. Plus I never have a power outage. Also I have plenty of power and all that I need from the sun which shines here over 300 days per year.
Hello, maybe a permaculture berm, to reduce wind on your structure and allow water to be collected in the ground .to grow big trees .
Good suggestions. Thank you.
I'll give you credit. You are a go getter. I would be happy living in the shed.
The shed is not listed as my residence on my permit. Years ago I listed my (now under construction) big home. More room for friends and family is the idea.
Can one use shower water for plants by directing the flow with piping ?
Yes indeed and I will be doing that actually.
Thank you for updating us on your trees, Don! I hope we get a decent monsoon this year.
Me too. I miss those 2 summers we had that were like Costa Rica tropics.
You are amazing, thank you for sharing your progress.
Thank you Alex!
is that a snake kill in the shower house basement?
Nope. Just something that needs to be taken away.
❤❤❤
👍
🙂
Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome. Thanks for watching.
if your property doesnt have a spring ,then youve got nothing.
Spring comes every year here which is great!
@@affordabledesertliving3487 good luck then.
a well is an idea.
ever heard of fog nets? they are using them in the Chilean desert,worlds driest area. gallons of water every dsy.
Grapes love poor soil.
I have some white table grapes as we speak to plant!
Build shallow well
AZ is pretty strict on what would be called "wildcat" wells. Rainwater harvesting is a better option I find and its encouraged by the county.
Looking great
Thanks so much!
good stuff
Thanks for watching.
Nice yard.
Thanks very much!
On y'a, a little work on everything everyday helps out and, give your body and brain a workout too.
Yeah Kez always good to stay active.
Hay Sparky, good luck with all your plants and trees this year.
Thanks Dave!
I couldn't move somewhere where there is a shortage of water and couldn't drill a well or it would be so expensive. I got a bored well and everything was under $2,000 in 1986. I can use water whenever I want, for as long as I want, for whatever I want and never have to worry about running out ! Great peace of mind for over 38years. I have never lived anywhere that you had to worry about water @ 67 years old.
So great to have choices for sure.
😊