Hello again

Hello,
I am Wilson, i have already written a introduction and it appears to have disappeared into the Ethernet :-(
So at the risk of repeating myself. My husband and i live in a big regional town in Victoria, Australia.
We have a small suburban house block and a 100 acres a short way out of town, where we would like to build an off grid solar passive, sustainable house.....maybe straw bale. Here in town, i grow vegetables in a raised garden bed and over the last year have dabbled in setting up two small hydroponic gardens. One on the fence near the vegie patch and one in a small non heated hot house with varying success. We have chickens for eggs and they also take care of the composting for me. On the farm we raise sheep, cows and grow some hay, the cows recycle the hay and provide me with plenty of manure for the garden. I just love gardening, and could easily give up work and spend more time gardening.........but the need for an income keeps my nose to the grindstone. I enjoy meeting others who also enjoy gardening, and am looking forward to learning from those here that have any experience in building.

Welcome Wilson!

Wow, it sounds like we will be learning a lot from you then. You have come to the right place to meet like-minded gardeners, that is for sure. My grandfather used to grow hydroponic veges back in the 80's with huge success. I'd like to hear more about your hydro adventures.

My DH and I bought a property 4 years ago and put a removable house on it and did some off-grid stuff - solar, composting toilet, grey water, rain water harvesting. Go to www.koreelah.com.au to check it out. We can answer any queries you may have around the set up.

Good to have you here.

Thanks Tallula Belle,

Koreelah looks great, and yes i am sure i will have heaps of questions for you as we get closer to starting our adventure. We are really looking forward to moving out to the farm, and i am researching everywhere i can to get ideas for what sort of house to build. The only thing i am fixed on, is trying to be as off grid as possible. So want to build whichever style of house will give us the best chance to do that. Do you live on your Koreelah property as well, or just have the holiday place? looks like an amazing place.

As to the hydroponics, i have had some success and some failures, but it is fun, and a learning curve.

Hi There Wilson,

I have only quickly read your post but i read that you wish to build the most sustainable house possible. Have you heard of or researched what is called an earthship?
My partner and I are currently looking into it and it is very promising. At the moment a lot of the earthships that exist are in America, where they began in the desert there. However there are a few here in Australia and with slight modifications appear to be doing just as well.
I would post the link on here but as I am a very fresh member of this site I am unable to. So I would say google australian earthships and click on the sustainable green buildings - earthship dot com slash australia link

Just food for thought:)

Tilly.