[Terrapreta] Forestland management

[Greg and April]

Max, 
 
Neither one can handle Colorado tempatures, at it's common to hit -15* F in winter ( even cooler ).
 
I have been, giving serious consideration to Siberian Peashrub ( http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Caragana_arborescens.html ) and standard alfalfa combination ( when alfalfa is not cut several times a year it can last 7-10 yrs. ), and tests show that alfalfa can be comparable to coal for heating value ( http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1996/V3-260.html ).

Greg H.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: MFH 
To: 'Greg and April' ; 'Terra Preta' 
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 2:49
Subject: RE: [Terrapreta] Forestland management


Greg
 
Many thanks for detailed reply. I doubt if I can add much to the directions you are taking. In particular, Aquaponics can feed your family.
 
For pumice I quickly googled "pumice, colorado" and several sites advertised bricks that were a pumice/cement mix so its obviously available in the State
 
>From the websites you listed re Colorado soils, similar rising salts have caused devastation in many previously prime farming areas in Australia. Basic reason is that once the trees with deep tap roots were removed, the water table rose, bringing with it a mix of undesirable salts. Best solution is to re-establish the tree cover.
 
A couple of useful plants for your conditions may be Pigeon Pea and Tree Lucerne. Some more information:
 
http://www.greenharvest.com.au/seeds/info_sheet/tagasaste.html 
http://www.greenharvest.com.au/seeds/info_sheet/pigeon_pea.html 
 
Best of luck - it's a wonderful challenge.
 
Max H
 
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