Dec 072012
 
Watering with finer spout holes.

First a video re “Bucket Watering Can DIY 4 of 4”, then some pics of the project (below the video):

Bucket Watering Can DIY 4 of 4 (video):

From the project (pics):

 

New and Improved watering can (model 000000000000000002) has smaller holes.  New and Improved watering can (model 000000000000000002) has smaller holes.  A smaller spout stream helps distribute the water more evenly and is less harsh on bare soil and fragile seedlings.

 

A look inside the watering can ready for application.A look inside the watering can ready for application.  Note the floating food particles that would clog up the spout to an ordinary watering can.  THIS is no ordinary watering can!

 

Watering with finer spout holes.Watering with finer spout holes.   Mission accomplished – the new watering streams are less sloppy than the larger-holed watering can.

 

 

Happy DIY projects for your Habitat Food Forest.  See you tomorrow.

Tony

Dec 072012
 
Watering the garden with our new watering can.

First a video re “Bucket Watering Can DIY 3 of 4”, then some pics of the project (below the video):

Bucket Watering Can DIY 3 of 4 (video):

From the project (pics):

Filling the watering can with dishwater (blackwater).Filling the watering can with dishwater (blackwater).   Check out that water!  It’s a mix of soapy water, food particles from our dishes, and pasta drain-off water.  Here microbes, come and get it!

 

Diluting the dishwater with fresh water.Diluting the dishwater with fresh water.  We’ll get more coverage in the garden by adding fresh water to the nutrient “concentration”.

 

Watering the garden with our new watering can.Watering the garden with our new watering can.  Note the use of the fill hole as handle grip.  It works!  And, easy to clean.

 

Happy DIY projects for your Habitat Food Forest.  See you tomorrow.

Tony

Dec 072012
 
Cutting a fill hole in the bucket’s lid.

First a video re “Bucket Watering Can DIY 2of 4”, then some pics of the project (below the video):

Bucket Watering Can DIY 2 of 4 (video):

From the project (pics):

Cutting a fill hole in the bucket’s lid.Cutting a fill hole in the bucket’s lid.  The large hole allows filling the watering can easily AND can be used as a non-moving grip while watering garden.

 

Finding center opposite the watering can’s grip (the fill hole).Finding center opposite the watering can’s grip (the fill hole).  The bucket was then flipped 180 degrees to locate the center of the holes to be drilled.

 

Spout holes are drilled to both the right and left of the center mark hole.Spout holes are drilled to both the right and left of the center mark hole.  The more holes, the wider the watering row-of-streams will be.

 

Happy DIY projects for your Habitat Food Forest.  See you tomorrow.

Tony

Dec 052012
 
The drilling has begun!

First a video  re “Bucket Watering Can DIY 1 of 4”,  then some  pics of the project (below the video):

Bucket Watering Can DIY 1 of 4 (video):

From the project (pics):

Setting up project space for converting a 5 gallon bucket into a dishwater watering can.

Setting up project space for converting a 5 gallon bucket (left foreground) into a dishwater watering can.  Note our kitchen sink wash bucket (back of table) patiently waiting to be emptied into the new watering can.

 

The drill bit used to create a row of holes for the watering can.  The drill bit used to create a row of holes for the watering can.  The drill bit has a central spike and 2 cutting edges on the side, like an auger (without the screw).

 

Marking the center spout hole -- the drilling has begun! Marking the center spout hole — the drilling has begun!   The new holes will be fairly close to the bucket lid so that most of the water can drain out when the bucket is tipped.

 

Using a utility razor knife to cut the fill hole.Using a utility razor knife to cut the fill hole.  Not so easy as I thought the cut would be but the recessed plug ring helped guide the knife.

 

Happy DIY projects for your Habitat Food Forest.  See you tomorrow.

Tony

 

Nov 222012
 
Lemon Pot planted with pac choi.

Day 7 in this 6-day video series (bonus day!): Preparing patio pots for winter veggie planting.

First a video  re “Patio Planting Pots”,  then some pics (below the video):

Patio Veggie Pots 7 of 6 (video):


Patio Planting Pots Sprouting Seedlings  and Ripening Scarlet Runner Bean Seeds (pics):

 

Lemon Pot planted with pac choi.

Lemon Pot planted with pac choi. This is the patio pot that I planted the hugelkultur, a thick layer of weeds and greens, just above the drainage gravel.

 

Carrot seedlings in a large patio pot.

Carrot seedlings in a large patio pot.

 

Scarlet runner beans continue to ripen on the kitchen windowsill.

Scarlet runner beans continue to ripen on the kitchen windowsill. These beans were harvested on day 1 (6 days ago) and seem to be ripening (browning) well.

Happy planting veggies on your patio and see you tomorrow (Happy Thanksgiving!).

Tony

 

Nov 212012
 
Ground level (critter head height) entrance to Leaf Trench Highway.

Day 6 in this 6-day video series: Preparing patio pots for winter veggie planting.

First a video  re “Leaf Layer Added to Leaf Trench Highway”,  then some animal habitat pics (below the video):

Patio Veggie Pots 6 of 6 (video):

Leaf Layer Added to Leaf Trench Highway (pics):

 

Leaf Trench Highway with a fresh layer of tulip magnolia leaves.

Leaf Trench Highway with a fresh layer of tulip magnolia leaves. The trench along the walkway is three feet deep and filled with different organic/yard debris layers. The layers will break down and form rich compost in about 6 months to a year.

 

Leaf Trench Highway extends along the back corner of our yard to Salamander Resort (left).

Leaf Trench Highway extends along the back corner of our yard to Salamander Resort (left). Besides storing organic material (twigs, leaves, straw, manure, pulled weeds), the trench also feeds the fedge (food hedge) along our property line. Pineapple guava, fig, and pomegranate trees, as well as annual veggies, grow in the compost-making veggie bed.

 

Ground level (critter head height) entrance to Leaf Trench Highway.

Critter level, perhaps the head height of a raccoon, skunk, or possum, of the entrance to Leaf Trench Highway. Personally, if I were a salamander, I would crawl under the leaf litter. Lots of tiny tidbit treats (FOOD!) under those moist leaves.

 

Kitchen dishwater ready for the compost pile.

Dishwater ready for the compost pile. Dishwater with soap and food (left bucket) is considered “blackwater”; rinse water is considered “greywater”. We pour blackwater directly into the compost where microbes and micro-critters will process it. The greywater rinse water makes a fine treat for most of the garden, with care not to pour it directly on fruit/vegetables.

 

Happy planting veggies on your patio and see you tomorrow (Happy Thanksgiving!).

Tony