[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Posts in ground are for wind load. I was going to slope the roof only to the West as that is where 95% of our weather comes from (I am in a valley).

Had not thought about the settling of the gravel. I only have three to four feet of top soil and then it is limestone, hard rock! Gravel was also to discourage moles from entering the tasty area.

Could gravel still be used to discourage critters and use pilings to support the structure? I was thinking every four feet but is that good enough? Of course, I'm not working against hurricanes! Oh, I do have lots and lots of strapping material! I have built several pole barns before and they are all still standing, some were built in the early '90's in tornado country in Texas.

Good points, thank you! What about setting re-bar/steel (happen to have some of that "just laying around") into concrete, attaching the sill-plate to that as an anchor and then going up from there with the posts?

I will research out sonotubes. Wonder if Menard's would have them?

I need large to produce food for sale and personal use. Also want a couple of banana trees and maybe a rose apple tree. Heat with wood fire, add water to top of unit to keep humidity up, fresh foot in the winter. It is a plan, now to find out if it will work ;-)

Please, more ideas are VERY welcome!!!!