Jason closes his journal... Thanks!! I love you!!

[gettinaclue]

Wow! You were busy today! I've got strawberries coming in on one of my starts and still haven't planted them yet.

I know you have some sore muscles!!

 

[justusnak]

WOW, you were busy! Looking good tho..and well worth it in the long run,hu? I keep telling hubby...we work hard when we can, to get this place in ship shape, so when we are older, all we have to do is maintenance. Congrats on the strawberry patch, and I had to laugh about the dog. Mine would pick the garden clean, if I let them in there. Darned dogs...LOVE fresh veggies!

 

[TanksHill]

Hey Jay, Glad to hear all is well. I ran out to the desert for a few days on spring break with the kids. The week started windy and cool and today we left at 10am and it was about 90degrees. Kids had a great time and I got sun burnt.
Looks like your orchard is on its way. That's a ton of trees and bushes to get in all at one time. Heck what you going to do next year? The raised beds look great.

Oh, my potatoes are starting to sprout. I got a couple of leaves showing. G

 

[modern_pioneer]

I removed the mulch from the raspberries today, oops I made a boo-boo. :/

Got all my post set in today to loosen up those tight muscles from yesterdays work. I also set in 8 fruit trees, cherries (4) bing and black, 2 plums, 2 apples, and 2 pears, got them mulched.

I also planted my red and black currents on the far side of my property up near the pond. I also got my blueberries planted.

When I got my water tank down from storage, I noticed one of the pipes broke on it. I had an extra one to fix it. I have two of these that I pull with my mower, each holds thirty five gallons. I use the rain water from my shop to fill them up to water the garden and beds. I had bought a new one, and a few weeks later I found one curb side going to the dump. I did a grab and dash. I made a new cart, bought a pump, and fixed the crack on the tank.

When I started planning my new mini farm, inspired by my hard work on my garden soil last couple years. I didn't how much work it would take to get it done. I have been keeping a total of cost for everything, so far with the small orchard, bobcat rental, ( I didn't expect ) I have spent just over 724.00. I was trying to keep it under 600, but the cost of the bobcat rental through a wrench in my budget.

I am hoping to begin getting fruit from my trees in 3-4 years but my expectations might not be practical. Because they are dwarfs, this allowed me to plant more trees in a small space.

Today was the last run over the garden using my big box tiller, I tilled in a bunch of leaves and old grass clippings.

By the time I finished my work, it started to rain so I haven't taken any more photos.

I have to build my pea trellis yet, any ideas? I would like to build something that looks interesting as well as functional. I plan to build it in the next couple days.

Next weekend I am going to build my chicken coop, I hope.

 

[modern_pioneer]

Here is the logo that is on my shirt for Earthday. Cute isn't it?

So after work today, I started this wacky idea of mine. I lay no claim to be the first person to come up with this idea, and this idea came to me last night while thinking about a small space I have in my garden that needs to be used.

Because I have my garden mapped out already, I have a small space at one end of my raised beds that needs to be used. So I am going to make a bean tree.

Imagen a 12 inch metal disk with holes around the edge of it, these holes will be used to tie the string to. Now imagen that welded to the top of a metal pipe ( I have some from the analog antenna not being used for anything ). Now imagen putting this in the ground with the disk at the top, pulling the strings out away from the pole and placing them in the ground using small steaks. Of course the bottom would be 24 inches away from each side creating a four foot circle at the bottom, like a christmas tree looking thing.

Making sure the strings are tight/secured to the ground, I would plant my pole beans at the bottom and train them to climb up the string. Good idea? or silly?

I think it would add some interest in my garden as well as function. Now I know I will paint the metal pole brown like tree bark and the top disk green.

See when its raining outside, I get too much time on my hands and start thinking again...

G glad you folks had a great time in the desert!!! And I am also glad it rained today I needed the rest....

 

[gettinaclue]

I think that's a great idea! Quite a few people here do that with their Christmas lights. Attach the lights to the disk and then run the disk up the pole.

You could plant some lettuce under the tree to help extend the season a bit, depending on how big your tree is.

Great idea!

 

[TanksHill]

Wow, great idea and space saving too. Could we do the same for the cucumbers??? Oh I want to build one now. Minus the welding part. Hummm??? Oh and I like your shirt.

 

[modern_pioneer]

Thats a good idea about the lettuce....

I don't see any reason not to grow some cukes, which ones make the best pickles?

I am the only person in the house that likes pickles.

I was thinking of putting some up just for me this year. I also like spicy bread and butter pickles, sweet but with a little hot stuff for a good bite.

 

[lorihadams]

We made teepees for out beans, we have some little trees that are pretty straight (I have no idea what they are) and we cut them down and lashed them together with wire ties. I have pics on my journal. I think it is a great idea, I am really interested in vertical gardening. I want to try growing some small pumpkins this year on trellises too.

 

[freemotion]

There were gourds and small pumpking hanging from trees where I walk my dog last fall. The farmer must've tossed leftovers after the season was over, and some sprouted. It was really cool. Did I think to bring my camera??? NO! But I did pick all the pumkins and gourds, and my critters ate all the pumpkins throughout the winter!