High Desert Homestead

Reno, Nevada USA
Greenhouse
Greenhouse
Gardens and Horse Barn
Gardens and Horse Barn
Gazebo with High Tunnel
Gazebo with High Tunnel
High Tunnel
High Tunnel
High Desert Permaculture Homestead
High Desert Permaculture Homestead
High Desert Permaculture Homestead
High Desert Permaculture Homestead
Gardens and Horse Barn
Gardens and Horse Barn
High Desert Homestead
High Desert Homestead
High Desert Homestead
High Desert Homestead

 This 1.3 acre Suburban Homestead in Reno Nevada is a living Permaculture laboratory in the extremely dry Great Basin Desert.

 

Challenge:

Produce as much food, fuel, fodder, and fun on an exposed site in a very brittle environment with large seasonal temperature swings and low precipitation.

 

Solutions:

Design and install water-harvesting earthworks to provide as much seasonal irrigation water to foundational plantings as possible.  These plantings serve as multi-function windbreaks for firewood, fodder, and habitat; and also provide shelter for alley cropping systems and a mobile hoophouse for a high desert nursery. Other design features include a modular shedrow horse barn.  Alliances include a non-profit partnership with Nevada Bugs and Butterflies to facilitate eco-literacy education programming.
 
Project Lead: Neil Bertrando