It will require more than one installment to explore Greenfield resident Kris Walter’s environmentally sound strategies, self-sufficiency, and related philosophies. This week and next, we’ll take a look at how Walter transformed .17 acres on West Street into a model of ingenuity and, in the process, inspires others.
To say that Walter tends a garden is an understatement; her verdant plots bring to mind the term micro-farm. She grows an astounding amount of produce on a tiny plot while providing birds and pollinators with food and havens. Just off of busy Elm Street exists a compact paradise where one can sit on a front porch beautifully shaded by a wall of wild grape leaves while surveying a squash plant covering an area about the size of a school bus. That’s right, dear readers: Kris Walter planted a seed that grew into one plant that will provide squash throughout the winter and enough to share with others.
“Last year, it was the same thing,” she said. “I planted one seed saved from a winter squash I grew, and ended up with 120 pounds of food.” Touring her property is like walking through a living seed catalogue; her crops appear vibrant and productive. And while Walter employs a range of successful techniques, one significant factor is that she hydrates her plants exclusively with rain water. “I haven’t used town water on my plants for 12 years,” she said, “including during droughts.” Since intermittent droughts are affecting our region, we’ll focus this week on the beauty of maximizing rainfall.
“Rainwater contains more nutrients than municipal sources and has better pH for plants,” said Walter. Rainwater is slightly acidic and contains essential nutrients like nitrogen that promote plant growth and soil health. Tap water often contains salts, chemicals, and minerals that can build up in the soil and harm plants. The slight acidity of rainwater helps to unlock micronutrients in the soil, and its higher oxygen content supports better root development.
What began for Walter as a home project blossomed into a side gig for the longtime software quality assurance engineer. She watched Youtube videos to create a rainwater catchment system for herself, but said she turned into a business because “I wondered if home gardeners and permaculture types would be interested in how cool it is to water plants this way. The practice supports me being a good steward, so I figured others might want to do it, too..” Starting with several barrels she acquired from a local food business, Walter later researched other sources. “It was a lot of work and required a lot of time,” she said. “I designed the systems and a friend did the installations. I also offered public presentations.” Walter has since retired from both her software job and from barrel installations, but continues to support her patch of Eden with water collected from the sky.
Technical aspects can seem complex, but it’s a fairly simple process. Walter has barrels around her home to catch rainwater from gutters. “A vital component is the first-flush diverter, which keeps dirtier water out of the tanks, helping to protect both human and plant health by reducing the bacterial count and whatever other cooties might be in the water,” said Walter. “You want the cleanest water with the fewest particulates.” Holding a screw cap in her hand, she demonstrated how easy it is to turn the system on and off. “I take the cap off to make it into a downspout if the barrels are full, or at the end of the season. Put the cap back on, and water goes into the barrel. It’s that simple.”
Walter said a catchment system has to be easy to use to be successful. “You don’t want to have to dip a watering can repeatedly if you have substantial areas to water. That’s where the submersible pump comes in.” Walter uses a quarter-horsepower pump with a 50-foot hose. “I use a wand, so it’s more like rain, rather than a big gush. If you want to use a longer hose, you’ll want to increase the horsepower.” Walter has preferences about equipment and strategies, but said, “there are many different types of rain barrels and many ways to do it. It depends on what tools you have, what you’re familiar with, and how much you can lift. For example, IBC totes can be great, but I can’t lift one or get one into my car.”
Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC totes) bridge the gap in volume between standard drums and large industrial tanks; they hold hundreds of gallons, but can be unwieldy for homeowners. “They’re also harder to plumb,” said Walter. “Like I said, if a system isn’t easy to use, forget it. It’s got to be as easy, or easier, than turning on a spigot. Otherwise, people won’t use it.” Walter recommends not tucking barrels behind bushes or making them hard to access. “Also, full barrels are heavy. A 50-gallon barrel holds about 400 pounds of water, which can kill the roots of bushes and shrubs.”
Walter also emphasized the importance of installing containers on a stable, level base. “It’s got to be rot-resistant.” She suggests using cement blocks to keep the system off the ground, and to build the base of pressure-treated wood. “It doesn’t need to be complicated,” she said, “but it needs to be solid.” At season’s end, she drains barrels and leaves them in place. “I plumb barrels so that the lower spigot is above where solids will settle. For the winter, I leave just enough water so it’ll turn to ice and help weigh the barrel down in windy conditions. The higher spigot not only makes for easy access but also allows for overflow if it’s left open to allow drainage if the barrel gets too full.”
Tune in next week as we check out Kris Walter’s garden in more detail and learn about some of the philosophies that guide her remarkable life.
Eveline MacDougall is the author of “Fiery Hope” and can be reached at eveline@amandlachorus.org.