What did you do in the garden today?

[gtaus]

I feel your passion on the pallet wood. My DH and I built this triple planter with free pallet wood. I absolutely love it and want to build more but DH called a carpentry moratorium until it isn't triple digits outside....

That's a very nice triple planter! Love the trellis. I'm looking at building my pallet raised beds in a similar design, only making them 4X4. Dear Wife wants me to connect a couple raised beds with a trellis for her bitter melon plants. I built some trellises for her bitter melon that were just over 6 feet high, but the plants have already overgrown the trellis. So, next year, she wants a bend over arch type trellis. I think I can do that.

Breaking apart pallets became incredibly tiresome. Then we figured out it goes MUCH faster when you use a circular saw. Since our slats were all around 15-16" long, this measured out almost perfectly using the circular saw and simply cutting them off the pallet supports

That's actually my progression on the breaking apart the pallets experience. At first, I thought I could just use a pry bar and hammer to take apart the wood. That did not work very good due to the spiral nails they use on the pallets. Took forever to work up a board, and I was breaking more than I was saving.

Next step forward was using a pallet buster tool. That works great on some pallets, not so good on others. If you can't get both levers under the wood - like on the end pieces - then I was just splitting the wood as it was pried up. Lots of wasted wood using the pallet buster idea.

Now, I pretty much just use a circular saw, cut off the ends and the middle, leaving me with useable ~18 inch planks. Plenty long enough for my next pallet raised garden beds and planters builds. I have been able to harvest much more useable wood, it's a lot easier using the saw, and breaking down a pallet now takes only minutes.

If I need boards longer than 18 inches, I will take my pallet buster tool and pry up the center piece. Usually, that does not break the wood because the pallet buster can get a lever on each side of the 2X4 support. The center pieces usually pry up pretty good with a pallet buster, so at least I get some use out of it.

For anybody reading this post, if you use a circular saw, be sure to wear eye protection. I ran over a few hidden nails while using the circular saw on the pallets. I broke a few teeth off my saw blade. But, I now only use that saw and damaged blade for pallet breakdowns.

So far, all my pallet projects are for outside rough built garden type stuff. So I am not running the wood through my planner, edger, or other good saws. If I start to make projects that need processed wood, then I will invest in a handheld metal detector to scan for hidden nails. No sense in using free wood if it ends up costing you more money in damaged planner or edging blades.

 

[TJAnonymous]

I have one of those wicking towels that you get wet and wrap around your neck. I tuck the ends down inside the front of my shirt. Man, does that help! Between that and sweating, I'm soaked anyway. Evaporation is my friend!

That's the only way I'm getting any weeding done. And does the garden need it. I'm working my way through the worst areas. I need to clean out the asparagus so that I can put my compost around the plants and not just feed the weeds!

And make more compost out of the weeds I'm pulling. Serve the dang things right!

Ooooo, I use those too! We have like 3 or 4 of them so I can wash them because they start to stink after a while.

Frog Toggs.

 

[TJAnonymous]

That's a very nice triple planter! Love the trellis. I'm looking at building my pallet raised beds in a similar design, only making them 4X4. Dear Wife wants me to connect a couple raised beds with a trellis for her bitter melon plants. I built some trellises for her bitter melon that were just over 6 feet high, but the plants have already overgrown the trellis. So, next year, she wants a bend over arch type trellis. I think I can do that.



That's actually my progression on the breaking apart the pallets experience. At first, I thought I could just use a pry bar and hammer to take apart the wood. That did not work very good due to the spiral nails they use on the pallets. Took forever to work up a board, and I was breaking more than I was saving.

Next step forward was using a pallet buster tool. That works great on some pallets, not so good on others. If you can't get both levers under the wood - like on the end pieces - then I was just splitting the wood as it was pried up. Lots of wasted wood using the pallet buster idea.

Now, I pretty much just use a circular saw, cut off the ends and the middle, leaving me with useable ~18 inch planks. Plenty long enough for my next pallet raised garden beds and planters builds. I have been able to harvest much more useable wood, it's a lot easier using the saw, and breaking down a pallet now takes only minutes.

If I need boards longer than 18 inches, I will take my pallet buster tool and pry up the center piece. Usually, that does not break the wood because the pallet buster can get a lever on each side of the 2X4 support. The center pieces usually pry up pretty good with a pallet buster, so at least I get some use out of it.

For anybody reading this post, if you use a circular saw, be sure to wear eye protection. I ran over a few hidden nails while using the circular saw on the pallets. I broke a few teeth off my saw blade. But, I now only use that saw and damaged blade for pallet breakdowns.

So far, all my pallet projects are for outside rough built garden type stuff. So I am not running the wood through my planner, edger, or other good saws. If I start to make projects that need processed wood, then I will invest in a handheld metal detector to scan for hidden nails. No sense in using free wood if it ends up costing you more money in damaged planner or edging blades.

We've made the exact same journey and experienced the exact same results at each step.

 

[jerryse]

Ooooo, I use those too! We have like 3 or 4 of them so I can wash them because they start to stink after a while.

Frog Toggs.

I have a couple of Arctic cool T shirts that evaporate sweat pretty well .

 

[WthrLady]

I'm far enough out, we just loose the shirts. LOL.
I feel so close to feeling like a human being, and then whammo, puffed and coughing and stuffy and spacey again.
The house is open atm, but we'll be back to a humid misery starting tomorrow afternoon. I chose pollen and warm air to breathe over the overly dry AC and swollen sinus'.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Alert for those of you living along the Gulf coast...

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0727-Melioidosis.html

Individuals living in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and who have health conditions that may put them at higher risk—such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, or excessive alcohol use— should take precautions to protect themselves:

• Avoid contact with soil or muddy water, particularly after heavy rains, and protect open wounds with waterproof dressings.
• Wear waterproof boots when gardening, doing yard work, or doing agricultural work, which can prevent infection through the feet and lower legs—particularly after flooding or storms.
• Wear gloves to protect the hands when working directly with soil.

 

[WthrLady]

Alert for those of you living along the Gulf coast...

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0727-Melioidosis.html

Individuals living in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and who have health conditions that may put them at higher risk—such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, or excessive alcohol use— should take precautions to protect themselves:

• Avoid contact with soil or muddy water, particularly after heavy rains, and protect open wounds with waterproof dressings.
• Wear waterproof boots when gardening, doing yard work, or doing agricultural work, which can prevent infection through the feet and lower legs—particularly after flooding or storms.
• Wear gloves to protect the hands when working directly with soil.

It's been there a while, but most are clean enough and healthy enough it's not an issue. There's a whole lot in the murky water/land down south where it's warm that will play nasty with the human body.

 

[ChicksnMore]

OK here's your dose of weird this morning. File under crap you didn't know home depot carried! https://www.homedepot.com/s/giant%20crab?NCNI-5

The prices felt like the weirdest thing!

If you have the same yellow one I have, there should be 4 slots on the cover along the edge. Those slots are for zip ties, mark them on the bucket and drill 4 holes near the top of the bucket. I fill the pointed edge of the top cover with peanut butter mixed with boric acid. Furthermore, I am thinking about screwing the middle part of the flimsy two section plastic ladder with a strip of wood, so it doesn't bend or make the wood as long as the ladder and some how attach it to the bucket.

Mines got a red top... I'll have to check it for slots.

I got stuck in the barn for an hour this morning due to a torrential downpour (hallelujah!) and lightning. I decided to do a bit of cleaning in the tack/feed room to pass the time. Found a 5 gallon bucket in the corner with 2 dead mice in it. It had nothing in it so I'm assuming they fell in and couldn't get out. Probably died from lack of water...

The mice here can definitely jump out of a five gallon bucket unless they're really young

I guess I'm into a pallet phase. Years ago I built some pallet compost bins that I still use today. But, back then, it was really hard to find pallets for free. Now, with our new Harbor Freight, they put out lots of free pallets for the taking. So, I am into building more things with all the wood I am reclaiming.

Your pallet garden beds are much bigger than what I am going to build. Anytime you have a long length raised bed, you get bowing out unless you add cross supports when you build the bed. I'll be tearing down the pallets and rebuilding 4X4 pallet garden beds. Small enough not to bow out, big enough to make it worthwhile. If it starts to fall apart in 4-5 years, I'll either just patch it up or rebuild it at that time. I'm OK with not paying $$$ for a cedar garden bed that might last 15 years, or more.

Dear Wife wants me to build pallet planters for the yard so she can have more flowers around the house. We are looking at a number of designs on YouTube. Although I would consider myself a fairly competent carpenter, I prefer the simple designs that are easy to build, looks like a strong design for years of use, and can be easily repaired if needed.

Long term, I'm thinking about a pallet shed build. I have built real sheds and garages before, but, I think it might be fun to attempt to build a free pallet shed just for the experience.

4x4 is definitely a better size. It sounds like you have some good building skills. I looked at pallet shed ideas back then, but unfortunately neither my hubby nor I have any real building skill. I've gained some...but not enough for something like that. I'd sure love to see what stuff you build.

I feel your passion on the pallet wood. My DH and I built this triple planter with free pallet wood. I absolutely love it and want to build more but DH called a carpentry moratorium until it isn't triple digits outside....

View attachment 3205854

After being loaded with plants -

View attachment 3205860

Breaking apart pallets became incredibly tiresome. Then we figured out it goes MUCH faster when you use a circular saw. Since our slats were all around 15-16" long, this measured out almost perfectly using the circular saw and simply cutting them off the pallet supports

Love your planters... especially all filled

Quiet day today. I was tired all day for some reason. But I planted some green beans and squash. Found the cucumbers are just barely breaking the dirt, and moved my house basil outdoors.
It was another rain teaser day. Hotter then yesterday and came so close to raining...but once again the storm rolled over us without actually touching us. Still a nice day overall...but think I'll have to water in the morning.

 

[TJAnonymous]

It's been there a while, but most are clean enough and healthy enough it's not an issue. There's a whole lot in the murky water/land down south where it's warm that will play nasty with the human body.

Yes, like brain eating amoebas

 

[TJAnonymous]

The prices felt like the weirdest thing!

Mines got a red top... I'll have to check it for slots.

The mice here can definitely jump out of a five gallon bucket unless they're really young

4x4 is definitely a better size. It sounds like you have some good building skills. I looked at pallet shed ideas back then, but unfortunately neither my hubby nor I have any real building skill. I've gained some...but not enough for something like that. I'd sure love to see what stuff you build.

Love your planters... especially all filled

Quiet day today. I was tired all day for some reason. But I planted some green beans and squash. Found the cucumbers are just barely breaking the dirt, and moved my house basil outdoors.
It was another rain teaser day. Hotter then yesterday and came so close to raining...but once again the storm rolled over us without actually touching us. Still a nice day overall...but think I'll have to water in the morning.

Yeah, the runner beans kinda went overboard and took over the trellises. Except for a couple of initial pods, they haven't produced any beans though... I'm guessing maybe next year? I planted some last year and didn't get any beans then either. Ripped it out before I realized they were perennials... Replanted them this year in the planter. The bumblebees love them.