Helpful hints for building coops

[jvls1942]

spring is here,,,just only on the calendar.
I noticed that the neighbor has his maple trees tapped.
the rabbits and squirrels are getting active.
today I hope to get a little tractor time in.
I want to remove the snow from the north side of the house.
the sun, when it shines, doesn't hit back there.
then I also want to get into the shop and measure the base
of the table say. then I can cut the pieces of oak for the rolling base.
I plan on putting rolling bases on all of the power tools.
I have a six foot long table that I am going to toss. that
should give me a lot of rolling room..
I have a couple of pine logs to either cut up or just haul
back to the burn pile. I don't like to burn pine in the stove.

 

[Sally PB]

So very slow soil improvement then?

My SIL was going on about how she wouldn't have to buy so much soil for her new beds if she did that. My thought was how plants roots are often as big below the soil as above and how would they grow if they only have a few inches of soil on top of the logs to grow in.

The first year might not show much improvement, but I've read that after that, there is noticeable improvement.

The word "hugel" means "hill." I think it was meant to make more plantable area, in addition to enriching the soil. Pile up the logs, add in chips, other vegetable matter, compost, etc. Then put soil on top. In effect, a raised bed built on the ground.

https://www.almanac.com/what-hugelk...hugelkultur is a,topped with compost and soil.

 

[3KillerBs]

It's my day off from my job so I'm helping DH with his job at the historic site since there is an event Saturday.

I get to play with his zero-turn.

It's so much fun to drive.

Weather is perfect. Warm and sunny, but not stifling.

Cutting more onions than grass, but the parking field looks nice and I've treated a dozen fire ant mounds. Taking a break for lunch and more diesel fuel.

Not sure how many acres I'm mowing, but it's easier than my own job at the deli.

 

[jvls1942]

no grass cutting here for awhile. still a foot of snow on the field.
the snow pile is as high as the eaves on the chicken coop.

 

[3KillerBs]

no grass cutting here for awhile. still a foot of snow on the field.
the snow pile is as high as the eaves on the chicken coop.

I was carefully mowing around the almost-spent daffodils.

But when it's 95F and 95% humidity here you'll be much happier with your weather than with mine.

And I'll be out mowing in it again, because I always end up on the mower in July before the big battle reenactment.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I built a door for one of the goat stalls. One more piece, and that one will be done.
Moved the biggest chicks outdoors, and had a nap. It was 88° here at one point.

 

[jvls1942]

we are hovering around the low to mid 4o's.
I think 8o right now would cause a lot of flooding.
better to take it gradually..
My brother helped me get the table saw laying on it's
side on two saw horses. It is a more comfortable height
to work on it. I have to take the old roll around base off
and build a new one with larger wheels. don't let anyone
tell you that two inch wheels are plenty good on concrete.
sure the table will move, if you have a donkey to pull it with.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Today i worked in the garden, got 2 beds weeded and added sand and compost.
These beds need a lot of work, blackberries and weeds keep popping up.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Today i worked in the garden, got 2 beds weeded and added sand and compost.
These beds need a lot of work, blackberries and weeds keep popping up. View attachment 3444262

I have both of these weeded out, added sand , peat, and composted horse manure. Only one small bed left to do in this garden.

 

[jvls1942]

I have both of these weeded out, added sand , peat, and composted horse manure. Only one small bed left to do in this garden.

are you adding sand to clay ? isn't that how they make bricks ?