What did you do in the garden today?

[gtaus]

That would work with a Dutch Bucket set up, this is a link to a manual set up and a pump DYI Dutch Bucket set up. I recently bought Bato buckets from amazon but didn't set it up yet (Bato video). Last video uses no perlite, but pump is left on 24/7, root grows down into solution like Kratky.

Thanks. I am familiar with those videos. But I am trying to find a way to fill one control bucket with the garden hose and have the self-wicking buckets/bins automatically filled to the appropriate level. I don't want to run a long extension cord out into the yard or have a pump system running 24/7.

Something along the lines of a reservoir bucket (or rain barrel) feeding a control bucket with a water float value set to the desired level, and all the buckets/bins on the stand would be daisy chained together and regulated at the level of the control bucket. I am looking at some of these types of water float valves...

As long as the water reservoir was higher than the valves, gravity should be enough to supply the water. No need for any pumps or electricity. All I would have to do is refill the water reservoir/rain barrel when needed.

I think that would require one control valve per level, but it would make everything hands off once set up. All I would have to do is refill the water reservoir when needed.

 

[CNJ]

Thanks. I am familiar with those videos. But I am trying to find a way to fill one control bucket with the garden hose and have the self-wicking buckets/bins automatically filled to the appropriate level. I don't want to run a long extension cord out into the yard or have a pump system running 24/7.

I put a float valve in a 5-gallon bucket with a cover and set the level to 2 inches. I stack another 5-gallon reservoir bucket on top of that bucket and attach it to the float valve on the bottom bucket with a 90-degree elbow and 1/2-inch poly tube. A large reservoir barrel can be used instead of the 5-gallon bucket. Poly tube, elbows, cross t, straight, gromets, 1/2 inch fitted float valves and small shut off valves can all be found on amazon.

I strung 5 buckets together with a cross T, and 1/2-inch poly tube, and all my buckets have a shut off valve attached to the cross T. I found that 1/2-inch poly tube and fittings are better than 3/8-inch ones.

The hardest part of this system is leveling the buckets.

I think the double wicking bucket with net cup method is better than the strainer method that the guy is using in the video. The soil becomes too wet with the colander. However, his air pruning holes has merit, but it's better to use weed fabric than Walmart bags, they last longer. The Walmart bags turn brittle after one season.

Drilling air holes is too much work for me and not worth the effort. Results are basically the same. Furthermore, it's important to follow the earth box fertilizer instructions and use inert or soil less potting mix.

 

[gtaus]

First Use Review of my new Ryobi 18v Brushless 6-inch Pruning Chainsaw

This afternoon I took out my new Ryobi Pruning 6-inch chainsaw and cut up a mound of small branches from trimming up some shrubs down by my old garage. My goal was to compare the performance of this mini chainsaw to my reciprocating saw with a pruning blade that I have been using for 20+ years.

The problem: For those of you who may not know, a reciprocating saw with a pruning blade works great for cutting off branches off a tree. That is because the branch is still attached to the tree so the blade bites down and cuts the wood. However, the problem with the reciprocating saw with pruning blade comes to light when the branch is already cut and down on the ground. Then the pruning blade often times just grabs the small branch and just shakes it vigorously, and your arms, without cutting the wood at all.

The Solution: That problem is mostly solved by using this mini chainsaw. The chainsaw teeth pull the small branch into the saw's lower unit and cuts those small branches much faster and easier than the reciprocating was with a pruning blade ever did for me.

I am not too old to admit I might have found a better way to cut up those small branches. I can change, if I want to, I guess. Anyways, the mini chainsaw did the job better than the reciprocating saw so I am going to keep it.

But that is based largely on the Home Depot Black Friday sale price I paid for the saw. Normally, it sells for $149.00, but the Black Friday Special is you buy a 2 pack of Ryobi 4Ah batteries and charger for $99.00, and get a tool for free. I got this mini chainsaw as the free tool.

I don't think I would pay $149 regular retail price for the mini chainsaw tool only. But for about $60.00 on this Black Friday sale (the battery kit comes to $39), I'm going to keep it.

A few points I should also mention, is that I have full sized chainsaws as well. Of course, they cut wood. But they are just too big for cutting up the small branches I was dealing with from pruning up the bushes. My bigger chainsaws require both hands on the chainsaw at all times.

With this mini chainsaw, I was able to hold the small branches with my left hand and cut them with my mini chainsaw in the right hand. Although Ryobi suggests using 2 hands on the mini chainsaw, that is not how I was going to use it - nor anyone else I see on YouTube.

After about an hour of cutting with this mini chainsaw in my right hand, I switched to using it in my left hand. No problems. Works great in either hand.

I have 3 acres of wooded property, so I know I will be using this mini chainsaw a lot over the years. I'll probably retire the reciprocating saw with pruning blade for pruning jobs, but it will live on for use in my pallet breakdowns with a demolition blade and/or metal blades.

 

[gtaus]

I put a float valve in a 5-gallon bucket with a cover and set the level to 2 inches. I stack another 5-gallon reservoir bucket on top of that bucket and attach it to the bottom bucket with a 90-degree elbow and 1/2-inch poly tube. A large reservoir barrel can be used instead of the 5-gallon bucket. Poly tube, elbows, cross t, straight, gromets, 1/2 inch fitted float valves and small shut off valves can all be found on amazon.

That's where I am leaning. I already have 2 55-gallon barrels on an elevated stand that would work great as my water reservoir.

I strung 5 buckets together with a cross T, and 1/2-inch poly tube, and all my buckets have a shut off valve attached to the cross T. I found that 1/2-inch poly tube and fittings are better than 3/8-inch ones.

If you are using self-wicking buckets, what advantage do you get with having a shut off valve attached to each cross T?

I considered the smaller 3/8 inch tubing but also came to the conclusion that 1/2 inch tubing would be better.

I have some small float valves like in that YouTube video you linked. Maybe I'll just use them. For the control bucket, I'm thinking of maybe just using a smaller container then a full sized bucket or tote. After all, it only has to be big enough for the float to turn on/off and the rest of the container is wasted space. Something as small as an opaque plastic shoebox with lid would work fine.

Again, thanks for the help and the video links. Always learning a lot.

 

[CNJ]

If you are using self-wicking buckets, what advantage do you get with having a shut off valve attached to each cross T?

When my tomato plants get stressed from rinsing the soil off the roots and stuck in the Kratky buckets, they become susceptible to the TYLCV disease that has infected my yard. The shut off valves make it easier to change out plants, in the Kratky method the water level is higher at the beginning, so the valve remains shut until the water levels becomes the same level as the float valve setting.

I will be converting them to wicking buckets, so the shut off valve is unnecessary.

 

[Dadanga]

Sorry about Albis.... I always get sad when rehoming chickens. I'd definitely be bawling if it were a pup I loved.

BTW, I had far nosier neighbors when I lived in a Subdivision than living in a more rural location

I wouldn't live under the thumb of a HOA if you gave me the house for free. Just saying....

Deary me I'm not looking forward to the day I have to move out of this place and live under the thumb of my brother who indulges in amphetamines just a little too much.

We dumped another bag of lawnmower clippings in the run, mostly leaves.

Happy chick(en)s!

Not technically in the garden, but I put a second coat of stain on the steps.
View attachment 3676533

And while my brother is a bit of an asshole, I think even he as a craftsman would appreciate this work. Is that non slip or just carpet strips?

I'm trying to summon the energy to go out and work on the quail coop. Mostly just install door latches and handles. Part of me dreads going out there in case I have to run into the neighbor. It's so much better during the week when everyone else is working.

Ugh I need to seed the beds so bad. I hate seeing all this mulch everywhere and bare spots. Think I got another cucumber with PM in one of the beds as well so yay there.

 

[Dadanga]

Nope. My neighbors leave me alone and vice versa. The only one that tried to be nosy was actually from a big city. My husband was target practicing. We live on 5 acres and he back stops, etc. He was facing easterly and shooting down a ravine.

The city guy showed up with his daughter on our doorstep. His daughter said she "saw" the bullets whizzing through the trees. They lived to the west of us several acres away through 2 acres of trees. When we pointed out we weren't even shooting in that direction, he called the police - who probably informed him we were doing it safely because we haven't had any more problems from him.

When I lived in an HOA that was a new level of nosy. Now, 5 acres of woods and no nosy neighbors at all

Maybe it's time to move to the states where the land is at least affordable. My cousin came over lamenting to me how unless he gets into a relationship, his idea of living somewhere remotely nice is slim. All I can say to them is that at least they don't have a brother that shoots from behind you and over your head to the point you do hear the bullets whizzing by. I miss being a teenager...kinda.

 

[saysfaa]

...
I don't know about you Americans but I gotta ask. Do you think neighbors become more nosy the further rural you go/bigger blocksize? ...

No. I think people are much the same everywhere about things like that. Finding out how nosy the people around you are might be more likely in less populated places.

 

[jerryse]

Sunny and 60 yesterday and today. Yesterday I finished the leaves in the front yard and worked on truck. I spent most of the day outside. My grandson checked on my cabin. Reports new grass looking good.

 

[Sueby]

Happy Sunday!

Been busy round here. We got 2 bushes moved to the chicken run, the girls are very happy to be plucking leaves. It's funny to watch them jump.

All the Dahlia tubers are dug & stored.

& more general fall clean up happening. I'm off to pull tomato plants & throw them in the burn pile.