Sacred Garden Sanctuary Newsletter March 2010

In this Issue

• Dome building update
• Community Garden
  
• Other News
  

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Progress on Michael's Dome

We have completed the basic structure for Michael's dome. The side window is in, and the doorway is partially plastered in. Here are some pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here you can see the dome structure has been completed and the doorway plastered in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here the window has been installed. It is positioned to capture afternoon sun. In the summer the overhang will block the sun from directly entering the dome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The window shown from the inside. Notice the electric light, which is powered by Michael's solar system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The skylight is temporarily installed but needs to be plastered in. The hole shown to the right is a 6" pipe coupler for a future wood stove.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Garden

 

We have a good start on the community garden. Michael has been doing some really hard work, removing rocks and leveling the land. Edwin has been trenching for the water line. The garden will have a faucet on each of the four corners. The lower corners will also serve the lower terrace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the left is our home-made soil sifter, made from 2X4's and 1/2" steel mesh. This is what we used to sift soil for the dome, and we will be using it to sift out rocks in the garden soil as well.

 

 

 

 

Other News

• On the community garden agenda
  • We will double-dig the beds and add soil amendments. We will be looking for a source of horse manure and compost or compostables.
  • We have purchased some garden seeds and will be planting a variety of vegetables and melons. when the soil is ready.
  • We will be purchasing row covers and/or building greenhouse frames to protect the crops from excessive sun, wind dessication,  temperature fluctuations, and grasshoppers.
• We will continue  to bury our water main.
• We have purchased a 550 gal. water tank (see picture below)
• We expect some vistors this month from Bisbee. Also, "Rebecca" mentioned in last month's newsletter was unable to visit due to an injury and may stop by on her way back from New Mexico to California.

 

 

 

 

Here is the Romaine lettuce we have been enjoying for some weeks this winter. Delicious!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apricot blossoms make it feel like Spring here! All the fruit trees are in bloom and the bees are loving it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our "new" water tank is a military unit, 550 gallons and 1/4" steel. It should last a lifetime and then some. We will be removing rust and painting it before we install it.

 

 

 

 

Please Spread the Word

If you know of anyone who has a pioneer spirit and is interested in community, ecology, organic gardening,  living simply, and personal growth, please pass the word by directing them to http://sacredsanctuary.org and encourage them to subscribe to this newsletter.

 

With peace and love -

Edwin Basye, Steward