REAL MAN TRUCKWORKS & SURVIVAL
FOOD CORNER => Farming, Gardening, and Raising Your Own Food => Topic started by: TexasRedNeck on September 04, 2015, 09:37:27 PM
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Been 35 + years since I tended gardens. It's time to get back into it. Thought I would start small. Most of my land is heavily wooded so I'll start where I have some sun. In the berm to the pond.
In texas we can plant in the fall too.
8x32 fully fenced to keep the critters out.
Using a 60/40 mix of top soil and mushroom compost
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/04/f1cf1c6a7acc20f0945e908ce147c114.jpg)
So dug the post holes and started putting soil in
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/04/b816b29b94f54638af99dc8797f4b53d.jpg)
Then started laying the soil out.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/04/1c117b2fd9e1e242c9eda7ae60cd5d8f.jpg)
Then went to get the wood and fencing
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/04/6931db8df3c367e0e2555246209eb284.jpg)
Will get the structure erected tomorrow.
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I'm in! Looks like some good soil you brought in. You gonna irrigate from the pond?
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No. Im Going to run a water line for drip irrigation.
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I'm jealous of you southern guys with a fall garden! Enjoy! Looks like a great start.
I will say I'm NOT jealous of your July temps! Ha. :)
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I'm jealous of you southern guys with a fall garden! Enjoy! Looks like a great start.
I will say I'm NOT jealous of your July temps! Ha. :)
Does any of us have it "Great"
I mean Red Neck here has a fall garden, but his summers are nearly unbearable. Sam has a short summer, and some weeks when it is so cold it is unsafe outdoors, but the other times he enjoys peace and quiet...and safety. JR has oppressive government but enjoys some great weather, some breathtaking scenery and a variety which is hard to duplicate. Ken has some really hot days and not a lot of trees, but he has wide open expanses that beg to be explored. I have very humid summers but winters which are not too awful bad and inexpensive land and other things.
Point is, I guess while I'm philosophizing, is that we all have some things we like and some we don't. Some things which are good, some which are not. I guess we choose which particular component of living is most important to us
or
we are married and we (are forced to) move to where she is from!
(Got cha!)
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or
we are married and we move to where she is from!
(Got cha!)
BAAAH HA ain't that the truth!
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So the auger is not a precision tool. And I'm anal.
Got up this morning. Moved a couple of
Downed trees with the tractor and then drove my trailer down to the pond to unload materials only to find that they loaded 2x8x16 and not 2x10. Had to go exchange. Wasted 2 hours and $20 worth of fuel. Not happy. So then go to laying out wood. Marked the 4x4 at 24 inches and attached 2x10 to start plumbing the posts. Several of the holes needed to be opened up a bit to make it line up. Then plumb the post and pack the dirt with a pipe with cap on the end. One side is done. (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/05/e1a6eb877ac006d9314a6ec64146d766.jpg)
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Oh. As for "fall", it was 97 today. No wonder I'm worn out.
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Did I mention that berm is packed clay? Like digging through rock
I didn't have my sharpshooter shovel so I cut 2 inches off each side of my garden shovel
When you are miles from anywhere the probability of not have the right tool is the inverse square of the distance from the store that has what you need
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When you are miles from anywhere the probability of not have the right tool is the inverse square of the distance from the store that has what you need
THIS ^ is the story of my world!
I suffer with ya there bro!
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Did I mention that berm is packed clay? Like digging through rock
I didn't have my sharpshooter shovel so I cut 2 inches off each side of my garden shovel
When you are miles from anywhere the probability of not have the right tool is the inverse square of the distance from the store that has what you need
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That's a lol (Law of Life!)
Quotable
When you are miles from anywhere the probability of not have the right tool is the inverse square of the distance from the store that has what you need
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Here's the progress report (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/06/b31c5f3dbe29697af3f3ee37b91b49c9.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/06/d49db5736a6de6b028cc56b426f5ec87.jpg)
Ok got all the posts set and the top stringers run. Ran a few more loads of soil and compost in. Need to till it in. The. Set the remaining cross braces at the top since it will be completely covered top and sides with this fencing. With gates at the end.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/06/502aae0f2d9e1c609ef6f62056a43ff3.jpg)
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And just pulled the game cameras for the first time in 3 month. Coyotes, Deer, raccoons and for the first time, these....
and a nice rack on this one.
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Oh boy, let the games begin.........better get a Garden Nome to stand guard, screw on the can, and start reciting, "this little piggy went to heaven, this little piggy took a nap....."
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I bet they would love some fresh greens from the future garden.
....and that is a nice rack.
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RN, you better get you a smoker, cause your gonna have some swine that you will want to get to smoke.......;D
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End of build day 3. Next: irrigation fencing and gates. (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/07/3c0b965c8a91ca149ba949147f1940d3.jpg)
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Ha! I told the girls the little ones are tasty. We could roast em whole.
Nate I thought of you yesterday. Saw a show on the cooking channel called Man Fire Food. Dude dug a hole in the ground and lined it with brick. Burned oak in it until I was all coals. Then put a huge cast iron pot of veggies spices water and beer. Laid a grate over it and put a spice rubbed leg of lamb on it. Then surrounded it with maguey leaves. Then put tin roof panels over the hole and covered it in dirt. Made another fire on top to cook some carnitas and then 8 hours later uncovered the hole. The lamb looked amazing. I think that would work with some pigs.
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Pit roasted ham is popular around here, also with javelina.....only way to make them not taste like the rodents they are. My neighbors did a goat like that last year. Yummy
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I hate javelina. Nastiest smelling creature I've ever killed.
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RN- sounds like traditional Luau, pit, fire, hog in banana leaves rest of coals n more leaves, dirt and wait while waves crash and girls dance, then eat like what's in the pit!
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Ok. Moving a little slow today after the accident. Had a headache for 3 days now. Rented the trencher from HD and got to work. Running 3/4 pvc to the garden and going to create an automated irrigation system. (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/26/ffe47d6d18093ac64d3687675e34d891.jpg)
Trenched 400 ft to the garden. Tying into the city water near the house.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/26/581652945ffe9405d95a30d188c10155.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/26/33238c0cd3eafddf01873b1f97702560.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/26/50779fc049d9ef49067779d6dec2fca2.jpg)
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And the kids planning the layout of the plants.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/26/c2b34c05d83efef4835a20d66dcb1e59.jpg)
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Irrigation system...Impressive!
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So you spread corn within 400' of the garden? No wander you plan on fencing to keep them out of it.
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So you spread corn within 400' of the garden? No wander you plan on fencing to keep them out of it.
That's called efficiency, meat and taters in the same place! Less walking, less food needed to survive!
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^^^ Brilliant!!!!!
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Ok. Progress today. Kids got seeds and seedlings planted. I got the first part of the fence up. Installed the irrigation system. Got the timer set up temporarily while I figure out mounting and electrical. (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/27/6d486dfa3b97640fa6e8d2d721149b0e.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/27/4f603c8889a67c00cf3eef7e7bcc8c22.jpg)
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RN, you're too much!
And everyone here thinks I'm the OCD one!
Gotta say, I love that garden though!
Good work!
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Thanks Don. Since I went ahead and set it up like an irrigation system I added another zone for irrigation up at the house and left it expandable. The controller and the cable will handle 6 zones. More than enough for this little place. I have a few tricks left up my sleeve on this garden yet. Standby.
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Thought I'd break down the irrigation system a bit more in case someone was curious.
During the seeding phase water needs to be applied from above like sprayers. Once plants get established, I plan to drip irrigate at the root zone.
Both are extremely easy. Start with a filter like this:
http://www.digcorp.com/homeowner-irrigation-products/plastic-screen-filters
(http://www.digcorp.com/images/irrigation-product-types-main/D55_Drip_Irrigation_Filter.jpg)
The little micro sprayers and micro drip emitters don't like sediment or trash. This has a stack of plastic disks that provide good and reusable filtration. Standard 3/4 thread.
On the other side of that filter you can add a pressure regulating device like this:
http://www.digcorp.com/homeowner-irrigation-products/25-psi-heavy-duty-pressure-regulator
(http://www.digcorp.com/images/irrigation-product-types-main/HDPR-25_Heavy-Duty-Pressure-Regulator-ST.jpg)
Then using flexible pipe and press compression fittings make up a run and insert micro sprayers using a punch in the tubing and then press the 1/4 barb into the 1/2 tubing
Misc fittings http://www.digcorp.com/homeowner-irrigation-products/450-od-to-710-od-compression-fittings
1/2 tubing to insert drip or sprayers into http://www.digcorp.com/homeowner-irrigation-products/1-2-poly-tubing
Various types of micro sprayers
http://www.digcorp.com/irrigation-homeowner/micro-sprinklers-micro-sprayers-jets#
Simple to piece together and not very expensive.
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I know these systems
I have a 15 zone sprinkler system around my house
Piece of junk
Breaks down constantly
One word of caution, it will not survive a frost without being winterized. I adapted a compressor line to a water line fitting, then run each zone until it blows out air, Then with the whole system purged, I run some light oil mix through it, just a bit until I can smell it coming out of each nozzle. That keeps it lubed and freeze-crack free.
Maybe not a problem in such southern climes
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Yep I have a 15 zone at the case here, and the water bill to go with it. For the most part trouble free except when the lawn guys butcher a sprinkler head. The drip systems really are trouble free as long as you make sure you have a filter, otherwise the little nozzles clog. The bottom spins off the filter I show above and then the baffle stack comes out for cleaning. 5 minutes once ever 2-3 years is all it takes.
No real need to winterize here. If it gets below 25 something is terribly wrong and then it only stays there briefly overnight. Not enough to freeze pipes in the ground
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I adapted a compressor line to a water line fitting, then run each zone until it blows out air,
I did the same thing, works great... One small thing to add to Don's comment, don't forget to regulate your air pressure down to 30-40 psi for anybody reading this that wants to try it too :)
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Whoever installed the drip zone at our current house had no idea what they were doing... there was a filter, yes, but no pressure regulator. The drip system was running at 90psi! No wonder my emitters were running streams rather than drips.
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Hahaahha. I didn't use a regulator at the house and started blowing emitters off as soon as the afternoon sun heated up the hoses. I tested house pressure at a high of 120psi on a "tale" gauge, with 90-100 average. My fix.....TIE straps. Don't need no stinkin regulator. lol
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Hahaahha. I didn't use a regulator at the house and started blowing emitters off as soon as the afternoon sun MELTED the hoses. I tested house pressure at a high of 120psi on a "tale" gauge, with 90-100 average. My fix.....TIE straps. Don't need no stinkin regulator. lol
Fixed it for you. We average only about 55-70 PSI. Is the pump station right behing your house???
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The supply tank is on a hill about 1/2 mile from my house.
When we got this house, I ran all new lines and went with a 1" meter. So, 1" to 1 1/2, then back down to 3/4 at the house. As you can tell, I wanted a good water supply. Fire protection is quite a way aways, so if something happens, I may be on my own.
I can turn on a hose and it will shoot out about 20-25 feet without a nozzle. lol
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The supply tank is on a hill about 1/2 mile from my house.
When we got this house, I ran all new lines and went with a 1" meter. So, 1" to 1 1/2, then back down to 3/4 at the house. As you can tell, I wanted a good water supply. Fire protection is quite a way aways, so if something happens, I may be on my own.
I can turn on a hose and it will shoot out about 20-25 feet without a nozzle. lol
Now we know why all those lakes dried up, Ken washed his truck! ;)
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;D
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Ok so today I built my gates. Seeds are sprouting and the watering system is working well. (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/03/b9976a9c20c5a7a48d00bf4548467f58.jpg)
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You know...some guy like me flying around lookin' for whacky-tobacky is gonna see that and say, "Hey lookie right there, I think we got some!"
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wrong color green, Don. There is a specific tone of green they look for. Besides, all the good stuff is grown indoors hydroponically nowadays. Many years ago in a galaxy far far away, I knew all about that.
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wrong color green, Don. There is a specific tone of green they look for. Besides, all the good stuff is grown indoors hydroponically nowadays. Many years ago in a galaxy far far away, I knew all about that.
Oh, I know the color...you forget I flew most of my time 300-500 feet
West Va/Eastern KY and anywhere green in Afghanistan you can find it pretty quickly from almost anywhere
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Doesn't surprise me Don. Probably not the most interesting thing you've seen from 500 ft....
Today the wife planted the beet seeds and put some cages around the snow peas.
I added a breaker to the outdoor load center and used it to power a GFCI outlet on that side of the house and power the irrigation controller. Got it mounted and just need a little conduit to finish. Pics later.
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It's dangerous flying that low...especially in Germany in the summer. At that altitude you can see the girls aren't wearing anything, which causes a spontaneous loss of altitude and airspeed. Wires? Doesn't matter! Towers about? Who cares...
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Reminds me of being on Marine Patrol in the summer. There are some crazy party areas around here off the beaten path and you have to check them out you know,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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Cops...
I was performing daring acts of national security. I had to make sure those areas were secure and posed no threat to our nation.
You? Why you were just playin' around!
Cops...
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Cops...
I was performing daring acts of national security. I had to make sure those areas were secure and posed no threat to our nation.
You? Why you were just playin' around!
Cops...
Well, evidently, while patrolling those locals, you messed up- one of those Black Boobs you saw got elected President! >:( ??? :o
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Naw. That boob was in HI at the Punahou school buying dope from a guy I know.
Interesting how a dirt poor child of a Kenyan attended one of the most prestigious and expensive schools in America...
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Could happen!
Well not likely
But it did happen! >:(
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So. I was looking at the trench in the ground and I thought to myself.....self, why not put some power and com in the trench. You never know what you;ll want out there.
So I added another conduit with 220 out to the garden and a direct burial cat5e. I'll add another camera to my system and point it at the feeder. The camera can detect motion and email me pictures day or night. I wont have to wait until I download the game cameras anymore. Power, not sure, but since i had a hole I was going to do something. I may run a pump out of the pond or just some IR flood lights to make the night time hunting a little easier with the NV
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Great idea. Subbed for game pics of course.
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HA, no more pigs on camera yet but the bucks have been active but only at night. Sneaky buggers.
Oh, and you can laugh at me later. I bought the wife that GL Bluetec I was telling you about.
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GL Blue...Tell me about it???
Diesel Merc...I could do that...
Keep me away from that Bimmer M5 I always lust after...
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#facepalm
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Don the blue tec will actually tow. I drive a buddies M5 with the stage 3 Dinan package a few times a year. I had to cut back. Every time I take it out I get pulled over. Racist profiling cops......
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