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Post by rAcErRicK on Dec 20, 2011 20:59:43 GMT -4
Welcome back Rick. Of course, what most don't realize is that NOW is peak gardening season for you, and you're pretty much finished by Memorial Day, just as we're starting to get into it full swing. Well, I finally got around to running that new supply wire out to the yard shed. Next pay day I will replace the extension cord from the shed to the hen house with a dedicated line. According to my brother, the electrician one, I should be able to have a couple of outlets, the water heater, and the laying light with plenty of power to spare. The outlets are actually only so I can run power tools down at the back edge of the property without all the extension cords. Found out that the 12' tall 4x4 that anchors my wiring above the shed is cracked and broken. That gets replaced this payday too. Then I'll have two 30A circuits available in the shed. One for the hens and one for my "garage". Should be plenty, until I get around to building the real garage. That's great Mike, (power to the henhouse) ;D Now the girls can have a TV and mebe even a desktop ! True on the seasons here, (or mebe the lack of same). Stuff does much better when the temps are cool. The sun in the summer is brutal. I now have PVC bows, similar to a covered wagon, over each raised bed that serve two purposes, one to support overhead sprinklers, actually they are misters from the "micro-jet" systems the grove and nursury folk use, and also to support a tarp or plastic cover for when we do have a below freezing night. With the cover, and misters going, most of the gardeners I know agree it should keep the temps above freezing. Usually 3 or 4 freezing nights a winter are about it. I have two beds that are about 35% shaded for my "maters" and a few other things for the summer. I have a pretty good picture of it I can send in an email, if someone could post it for me. I'm still not computer savvy enough to post it myself. It doesn't show the bows though, just got them perfected and installed. Mebe a pic of that later. It's really a pleasureable place to just sit and relax now, all the neighbors love it too.
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Post by nhlivefreeordie on Dec 21, 2011 8:38:21 GMT -4
Knew you were determined to succeed Rick. THAT is what makes you special, grit and determination to succeed. I will post up anything you want, just send it along. We are experiencing more rain, I swear Noah had nothing on us here in central PA, it has been raining constantly except for 4 weeks in July. I have never seen so much water. I received a early Christmas present from Lynn and the weather has not cooperated for me to get out and try it, I am afraid when it stops raining it will freeze solid and I will be SOL till spring. Glad you are back Rick, take some pictures we'll get em posted up!
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Post by leatherneckpa on Dec 21, 2011 8:58:50 GMT -4
See, that is just WRONG! You tell us you got an early Christmas present, and then you don't tell us what it is.
Clues: Can't use it in the rain. Can't use it if the ground is frozen. Would have to wait until spring?
I'm guessing either a new roto-tiller or one of those broad-fork thingies for turning over raised beds.
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Post by nhlivefreeordie on Dec 21, 2011 11:28:01 GMT -4
Both great ideas Mike and either would be just as good in a different way. No, this is something that has nothing to do with self reliance, but connects me with the history that I love so much, and sort of fufills an early desire to become an archeologist.
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Post by rAcErRicK on Dec 21, 2011 20:55:04 GMT -4
Wow ! It's a space station ! Buried treasure, here he comes. That thing should really find it Wayne. Does it only identify metal objects or can it find artifacts as well ? I've always wanted to play with one of those. The pic email is on the way - and thanks a bunch
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Post by nhlivefreeordie on Dec 21, 2011 21:05:58 GMT -4
Rick,
It tells you what is in the ground, how deep and likely identity. It does have a Relic program as well as coin, jewelery, and space for lots of custom programs. This area is rich with history and finding coins or relics that date to the 1700s sends a chill down my spine. I have a 1779 Spanish 2 Reale Silver piece.(common currency here during that period) It was here during 1779, and so was George Washington, could he have held this coin? Probably not, but the possibility exists, I find that neat. There are cheaper machines out there, even the $200 ones work to a degree and you will find stuff. This one is used, and not in production anymore (the technology in my machine is in some instances better than the new technology, and in all cases as good as) but is still able to be serviced by Whites. This machine retailed in the $1,100 range, we paid considerably less on E-Bay, the machine looks brand new, like it was hardly ever used. These things don't have an expiration date, there are detectors that are 35 years old still working fine.
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Post by leatherneckpa on Dec 21, 2011 21:35:09 GMT -4
sort of fufills an early desire to become an archeologist. Wayne, that looks like a beauty, and "very lightly used". Like new? I'm sure you'll have a ton of fun with that. Now, if they could create one of those that locates edible mushrooms ..... Strange coincidence. One of my bachelor's degrees is in anthropology. Back in the late '70's the plan was to graduate with degrees in Geography and Anthropology, then get a job with the National Park Service down in Andy's neck of the woods, teaching people about the Hopi, Navajo, and Anasazi peoples. A dream never realized. Hmmm? Did you guys know that the NPS uses volunteer guides during the peak seasons? I learned this from a school teacher who was working the summer in Acadia NP a few years ago. He lived in a different park every summer, for free. Maybe I should look into that?
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Post by nhlivefreeordie on Dec 21, 2011 22:11:56 GMT -4
Wow! Rick has been busy, and look how far he has come since he planted his first seed a couple years ago. Nice job Rick!
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Post by azlonerider on Dec 22, 2011 1:32:44 GMT -4
Wow!!! Rick I'm impressed!! Nice job!
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Post by azlonerider on Dec 22, 2011 1:35:54 GMT -4
I had a busy day at work and cranked out several reports, then after work I stopped and got an addition to the family in the form of a 1 year old blue healer. The wife and kids are happy, Sam the older dog is relatively happy and Ashley's cat is pissed... It looks like Kody Dog is going to be a good addition to the family and it will be a useful dog as we train it around the goats.
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Post by leatherneckpa on Dec 22, 2011 10:17:22 GMT -4
RICK!! That's absolutely gorgeous! I wish mine looked that nice. Ah well, something to aspire to.
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Post by rAcErRicK on Dec 22, 2011 19:32:15 GMT -4
Tanks Guys. I am rather proud of it. I put a little money into it and a lot of work, but it has already been well worth it. My old friend already had the 4 smaller boxes, all overgrown with weeds and only 2 logs high. I added the top logs making them a third deeper, and built the 2 larger 6'X8' ones myself. The shade shed is from scrap 2X4's, splits and warps from the lumber co. and the roof is old roll down privacy blinds with every 4th strip removed. It should pay off when the dead of summer comes. Found a nursury that changes out his potting soil every 2 years and got 8 yds. of it for 10 bucks a yd. Really nice rich black muck and it even still has some timed release fertilizer left in it. Took a few new pics this AM and will get them in later. You won't believe the difference. For the limited space it is really producing nice stuff.
The blue dog should be a good one Andy, I have seen a lot of ranchers that use them for cattle dogs as well as companions in the woods and a few friends who have both the blue and the red ones for pets. Very good natured dogs. One friend has a red that talks to you, she moves her mouth just like she's talking and kinda growls while doing it, sounds just like she is talking to you, and she looks you right in the in the eye while she talks. LOL ! Really funny.
Almost forgot, a neighbor can get those blue plastic drums, I have my Ga. sweet onions in 3 of them, next project is to arrange 6 more off to the left of the 3 that are there now for peas. Man it's nice to be able to stand straight up and work your garden, my ole back and legs just don't work any more. The raised beds help too.
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Post by nhlivefreeordie on Dec 23, 2011 0:22:32 GMT -4
Sure would be nice to brag about that work of art in the newspaper. If you get the ambition, we will print the story and show the pictures.
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Post by leatherneckpa on Dec 23, 2011 8:12:28 GMT -4
a neighbor can get those blue plastic drums, I have my Ga. sweet onions in 3 of them, next project is to arrange 6 more off to the left of the 3 that are there now for peas. That reminds me, on my way to work at the last prison, I used to pass this guy who must have had 3 dozen of those blue barrels in his garden on the hill. His were cut in half the other way, so they resembled big buckets. I always meant to stop and ask what he was growing in them but never seemed to have the time. Perhaps I'll remember this spring and take a ride down there just for that purpose.
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Post by nhlivefreeordie on Dec 23, 2011 11:24:33 GMT -4
Just read a story about a guy that was growing fruit trees in recovered 275 oil tanks cut lengthwise like that. He moved the trees indoors (barn) during winter as he was growing varieties that wouldn't survive his climate. Great idea if you have a extra forklift handy to make moving easy like he did.
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