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Second Year SFG in Canada
+18
StrongAsMeat
Zmoore
KathleenM
BeetlesPerSqFt
Turan
Windmere
countrynaturals
Mimi2
yolos
CapeCoddess
milt48
Kelejan
p14shooter
CitizenKate
littlesapphire
AtlantaMarie
Scorpio Rising
trolleydriver
22 posters
Page 25 of 32
Page 25 of 32 • 1 ... 14 ... 24, 25, 26 ... 28 ... 32
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
Got all the nails and screws out of the free lumber.
Now I need to decide on a design for the compost bin and start building.
Now I need to decide on a design for the compost bin and start building.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
Make sure the front is made with loose slats so they can be slipped in or out as needed, when using your compost or as your compost builds up. Saves a lot of energy when you can work at the right level.
Oh, I know, I am talking to the choir. Actually, it is on behalf of newbies who may read this.
Oh, I know, I am talking to the choir. Actually, it is on behalf of newbies who may read this.
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
The wood looks clean, perfect (gardener's perspective)! Can't wait to see what you build. Yes, removable slats!
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
SR ... If you are reading this ... I just received the melon seeds that you sent me. Thanks.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
For my new compost bin I was going to use some "used" chicken wire that we already have at hand. But today while out shopping I decided I would spend a few dollars and buy some 1/2 inch mesh hardware cloth. It has smaller holes and is stronger than the chicken wire. I actually bought a 36 inch x 25 foot roll which is way more than I need for the one compost bin. I'm sure there will be other things for which I will be able to use it. With this purchase I have moved another step closer in my quest for a 3x3x3 compost bin.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
Well done, TD. I am sure you will find a use for the surplus.
The year before last I bought a 100ft roll of landscape fabric. I have nearly finished the first roll and I will be happy when it comes to using the second roll. I bought the two rolls when I was feeling flush with money at the time.
The year before last I bought a 100ft roll of landscape fabric. I have nearly finished the first roll and I will be happy when it comes to using the second roll. I bought the two rolls when I was feeling flush with money at the time.
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
Down to -1 Celsius last night. Frost got the Eggplant and Pepper plants. Chard and Kale are still ok.
Photos of the drooping Eggplants.
Photos of the drooping Eggplants.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
Not really. I like the four seasons except that Winter is too long and cold in Ottawa. So far my SFG has been very low maintenance over two summers. I have been able to go away for 10 days at a time and come back to a good looking veggie garden. For the most part I just rely on the rain for watering once the plants are well established.Kelejan wrote:That's horrible, TD. Does it make you want to emmigrate to California?
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
It was shame to see the veggie garden hit by frost but overall today has been a winning day. I scored a big haul at the house renovation down the street. I helped remove parts of a shed and was able to bring home some 2x6 boards. I could not tell whether they were pressure treated. However, after closer examination it turns out that they are cedar. The boards range in length from 8 feet to 3 feet. Now I have to rethink my new 3x3x3 compost bin construction. And I think there may be the roots of another SFG raised bed or table top in those boards.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
Cedar??? NICE!
CapeCoddess- Posts : 6824
Join date : 2012-05-20
Age : 68
Location : elbow of the Cape, MA, Zone 6b/7a
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
You will love them!trolleydriver wrote:SR ... If you are reading this ... I just received the melon seeds that you sent me. Thanks.
Scorpio Rising- Posts : 8687
Join date : 2015-06-12
Age : 62
Location : Ada, Ohio
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
And now it begins ... construction of the 3'x3'x3' compost bin using the "found" cedar 2"x6" lumber from the neighbour's renovation. I probably should have ripped these boards down the middle to get the wood I needed. But I am too lazy to do that so I am using the full 2x6s which should make this compost bin as strong as a tank. Side one has been put together. I will make another side like this one then join them together with horizontal boards across the back of the bin. Now that I see how big this thing is going to be I am wondering where I will get all the composting materials to fill it.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
I'm thinking of putting paving bricks underneath the edges but leave the bottom open to the soil.sanderson wrote: 2" thick cedar!! Are you going to put pavers underneath?
This new bin is massively over engineered. The thing is a beast.
Here it is in temporary setup. The back pieces are not yet properly secured and the hardware cloth has not been applied.
Changing the subject ... the red tomatoes on the left of this photo were ripened indoors in a cardboard box with a banana in the box.
These eggplants were removed today from the frost bitten plants. They feel firm so hopefully they are OK. Most are quite tiny.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
Site preparations are underway for the new compost bin.
First thing is to remove the old holding pen which will be relocated next to the new compost bin.
Leveled the ground.
Found a ton of worms as I was leveling the soil. These were all in about a one foot square (Square Foot Worming - SFW) and about an inch below the surface.
Paving bricks squared up and leveled. I expect they and the new bin will suffer from extreme frost heave during the winter. A couple of feet below our top soil there is clay which heaves badly. Some things in our yard will heave several inches during the winter. Footings for decks must be placed four feet down to prevent frost heave. These bricks are on the surface so nasty things may happen.
First thing is to remove the old holding pen which will be relocated next to the new compost bin.
Leveled the ground.
Found a ton of worms as I was leveling the soil. These were all in about a one foot square (Square Foot Worming - SFW) and about an inch below the surface.
Paving bricks squared up and leveled. I expect they and the new bin will suffer from extreme frost heave during the winter. A couple of feet below our top soil there is clay which heaves badly. Some things in our yard will heave several inches during the winter. Footings for decks must be placed four feet down to prevent frost heave. These bricks are on the surface so nasty things may happen.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
I love your step by step progress.
I think we only get frost heaves above a certain altitude. My DH broke his back once visiting a Legion friend and he had to be ambulanced back home to our hospital, when we still had it :-( over a mountain pass. He said he would never forget every bump that he went over, as the road was made with sections of concrete with spaces in between. Later, as I was driving him, he pointed out a sunken manhole cover that I
was about to run over, but too late, I gave him a bump that hurt. Every time I passed near that cover it reminded me of him.
I think we only get frost heaves above a certain altitude. My DH broke his back once visiting a Legion friend and he had to be ambulanced back home to our hospital, when we still had it :-( over a mountain pass. He said he would never forget every bump that he went over, as the road was made with sections of concrete with spaces in between. Later, as I was driving him, he pointed out a sunken manhole cover that I
was about to run over, but too late, I gave him a bump that hurt. Every time I passed near that cover it reminded me of him.
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
The problem with me showing photos of my step by step progress is that it reveals just how slowly I work.Kelejan wrote:I love your step by step progress.
...
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
Next installment in the step by step process.
The framework is in place. The thinner pieces of wood are just there to keep things in place during assembly. I think I may need a low piece across the bottom at the front and another removable piece across the top near the front to keep the sides from spreading apart. Another option will be to drive rods into the ground to keep it in place. I also got the hardware mesh cut but did not fasten it to the framework. I had to stop working when the rain started (sanderson ... I'm sorry that I had to mention that).
Notice how small the plastic compost bin looks next to the new one. So far this bin has cost me about $11 Cdn (plus sales tax). I already had the screws and I used found wood. I bought hardware mesh ($32) but only used about one-third of the roll. I will probably have to buy some cedar for the front removeable slats although I could use some non-cedar wood I have on hand and just replace it as needed in the future. And I have to decide what to do for a top/roof if anything more than heavy plastic or tarp.
The framework is in place. The thinner pieces of wood are just there to keep things in place during assembly. I think I may need a low piece across the bottom at the front and another removable piece across the top near the front to keep the sides from spreading apart. Another option will be to drive rods into the ground to keep it in place. I also got the hardware mesh cut but did not fasten it to the framework. I had to stop working when the rain started (sanderson ... I'm sorry that I had to mention that).
Notice how small the plastic compost bin looks next to the new one. So far this bin has cost me about $11 Cdn (plus sales tax). I already had the screws and I used found wood. I bought hardware mesh ($32) but only used about one-third of the roll. I will probably have to buy some cedar for the front removeable slats although I could use some non-cedar wood I have on hand and just replace it as needed in the future. And I have to decide what to do for a top/roof if anything more than heavy plastic or tarp.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
When it is finished it will hold a lot more heat then the smaller one so you should get faster composting.
X hours @ minimum wage makes for a very expensive composter that is priceless.
Makes me realise that I could never have earned a living by painting houses or anything that I do physically.
X hours @ minimum wage makes for a very expensive composter that is priceless.
Makes me realise that I could never have earned a living by painting houses or anything that I do physically.
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
Looking good. I haven't had much problem with the front spreading apart. Originally, there were bungee cords but they were quickly retired. Before you staple (or hammer in Romex staples) the mesh, install the double strips (slat glides) at the front for the sliding front boards. I'm assuming you are just going to use the free wood and not buy angle iron or something. Are you going to line the mesh with commercial weed fabric?
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
I have a 2x4 piece of cedar from a previous project that I am going to rip down the middle to give me the inside pieces for the slides. If I want to continue with cedar I will have to buy wood for the front pieces for the guides as well as for the slats. I don't plan on using weed fabric at this time. I can add that in the future if I start losing compost through the 1/2 inch openings in the mesh.sanderson wrote:Looking good. I haven't had much problem with the front spreading apart. Originally, there were bungee cords but they were quickly retired. Before you staple (or hammer in Romex staples) the mesh, install the double strips (slat glides) at the front for the sliding front boards. I'm assuming you are just going to use the free wood and not buy angle iron or something. Are you going to line the mesh with commercial weed fabric?
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Second Year SFG in Canada
A couple of pictures to show you what I did with the compost bin to keep it from bowing out when full. Yea, I know, way over engineered but I had fun planning it and building it.
This is what I used to keep the bottom of the bin in place. I had a leftover piece of 2x4 and added L brackets to each end. Just slip it on before starting to fill bin. When you are ready to turn the pile, just pull it away from the bin to get to the bottom easily. It is not attached to the bin, it just sits in front.
Here is the over engineered part to keep the top of the bin from bowing outward.
This is what I used to keep the bottom of the bin in place. I had a leftover piece of 2x4 and added L brackets to each end. Just slip it on before starting to fill bin. When you are ready to turn the pile, just pull it away from the bin to get to the bottom easily. It is not attached to the bin, it just sits in front.
Here is the over engineered part to keep the top of the bin from bowing outward.
yolos- Posts : 4152
Join date : 2011-11-20
Age : 74
Location : Brooks, Ga Zone 7B/8A
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