Prescott Michigan area? Updated with more info below

[michickenwrangler]

Our weather isn't too different than southern Alaska, although I know we are colder than the panhandle area. Winter sets in here around mid November and lasts until late March, early April. This winter was actually fairly mild compared to the last 3. We had subzero temps into March in 2008!

Soil can be kind of sandy so you'll need to do some improving. Some low lying areas have a lot of clay, but not nearly as bad as the southern US. Michigan is famous for sandy soil. Growing season around here is a little too short for melons and things. We also do not get a lot of sun so solar powered ANYTHING isn't the best option. Most people around here heat with woodstoves or pellet stoves, there's a dealer in West Branch, about 20 miles west of Prescott. Plenty of wood! The water table varies around here. My friends who live near Prescott have some pretty funky water, yet we have clear, clean water in our 25 foot deep well. Generally, higher the land, better the water table. Prescott mailing address laps into Ogemaw, Arenac and Iosco counties.

Once you know what you're doing, let me know. Again, it'll be nice to have another BYC'er in the area, not many around here!

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

My inlaws already have an acre or so of garden that has been in use for a long time.
The property has been in the family for a long time.
And, its on a lake!
I am gleaning every bit of info I can on straw bale houses right now.

Winters in that area are far shorter and way warmer then the ones we get up here.
We get several weeks of 30 below around here, and its pushing it to say we get 5 months of spring, summer and fall all together.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Who are your in-laws? DH was curious. PM me if you don't want their name on the board.

There's a lot of lakes in the area: Cranberry Lake, Hardwood Lake, Henderson Lake, Boughner Lake, Boss Lake, Birch Lake, Sage Lake, Long Lake, Forest Lake, Elbow Lake (someone caught a piranha there!), Norway Shores Lake, Lake Ogemaw, Fawn Lake, Skidway Lake, help me out here!