That's a good job; I envy your efforts. I am an urban homesteader, hobby farmer near Vancouver B.C., Canada And with 3 kids in sports and activities and being social, it's hard to keep my south facing (front unfortunately) yard from looking like chaos. My garden is about 1/10 the size of yours but my chicken run is about the same and I have a rabbitry. I do recommend a rabbitry. I am a plumber by trade and commend your water system installation; it must be difficult to plan it all out, do the work, AND make a quality video at the same time. Good job! and keep the informative videos coming - Ben
A couple of suggestions, I would put the back flow preventer before the timer or at your water source, that way you just need one... I would use a 10PSI pressure reducer for the drip tape, I have had drip tape leaking for too much pressure.....I would buy single zone timers, if one breaks you wont need to replace the all thing, I have 2 melnor 4 zones after 2 years one has 2 zone working and the other has 3 zones working.... I like the electrical tape idea, I have been using zip ties. Nice video.
Ya you are right it would have been better to put at the very beginning. I run 15 because I'm running all 1/2" poly for the whole system, no pvc, so it needs the extra pressure, trust me. I chose the orbit 4 zone specifically because it had individual replaceable valves. Electrical tape is so good, I rarely ever replace or couple a line with a hole. Just some electrical tape and good to go.
I want to plant a spring Garden 2020. I am turning my backyard into my first garden. I live in Zone 8b-9A Texas. Currently my back yard is patchy grass, pine needles dog poop ( im a bit salty). I am goin to give it a clean up and take out some scraggly bushes. How would you start to prepare the beds for Spring ( I would like to get seeds in the ground early) with a short 3 month window? I currently have materials to make a compost bin and a ton of cardboard. Should I cover crop or just sheet mulch with cardboard and start building compost?
I have found that if you cut a couple of inches past the compression fitting then push the hose all the way thru the fitting grab the excess with pliers and you will have removed the hose with minimum effort. also I have a video on dripper installation you might find useful
Hi Riley, thank you. Sure I would love to make an espisode on that soon. I've been doing a lot of experiments this year really dialing in my seed starting, doing literally every technique and soil mix. I want to give people really good advice from experience :)
Do the watermelons like that particular companion planting setup? I want to try something similar this year and might use your layout as an example. You're doing a great job with all this how to vids, keep it up!
Yes it worked amazingly well! One of my Jubilee watermelons was 30lbs and super delicious! I had many other 20+lb as well, so I'd say it was a success! Thanks I'm so happy people are finding them helpful to them.
I use a lot of the black poly line and there's a new kind of twist-on connector they use. I don't like the compression fit, because once you jam a poly line in it's there for all eternity. With the twist on type you just stick the black half-inch line over the barb and then twist a threaded cap that clamps it. If you ever need to undo or redo the line you just loosen the cap and the poly comes right off, just cut off the last inch and you can use the poly or the connector again. Also, where do you buy drip tape?
Hi Nate, just responded to your personal message. I didn't know I could receive personal messages on youtube lol. Yes those screw on connectors are really great but way more expensive. After 4 years of farming I've rarely had to cut and readjust my 1/2" so I haven't found a need to switch to superior but more expensive connectors. I bought all of my drip from dripdepot.com good prices and quality.
I use it for making my compost better quality and it makes it easier to reach higher temperatures, I feed it to my chickens, I make comfrey tea with it as a nutrient supplement for plants, I use it as a mulch, it is a huge beneficial attractor as well. Those are the most common things I use it for, I highly recommend it in your garden, it is incredible. Last year I saw bees and hummingbirds on it every day it had flowers.
Sorry for tardy reply. That all sounds great!. I can't wait to try it. Nature is indeed always right right?. Can I call you brother or bro from now on?. You just look like my brother from another mother so much...lol cheers!
![Hunxho - Ball Forever [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nki9ZTF9Uls/mqdefault.jpg)
🌟BEST DRIP IRRIGATION - bit.ly/3dQoRl3
🌟Free Digital Garden Planner & Calendar + $5 in Seeds - bit.ly/402CNRj
🌟NAR EMAIL LIST (My Exclusive Farming Tips) - bit.ly/2PO0ZTf
I appreciate the step by step detail and cost savings mindset. Thanks.
Amazing work!! Thank you Steve for showing us your work!! huge hugs for you!
That's a good job; I envy your efforts. I am an urban homesteader, hobby farmer near Vancouver B.C., Canada And with 3 kids in sports and activities and being social, it's hard to keep my south facing (front unfortunately) yard from looking like chaos. My garden is about 1/10 the size of yours but my chicken run is about the same and I have a rabbitry. I do recommend a rabbitry. I am a plumber by trade and commend your water system installation; it must be difficult to plan it all out, do the work, AND make a quality video at the same time. Good job! and keep the informative videos coming - Ben
Thanks Ben! Rabbits would be cool someday when I have land. It's a lot of work but also a lot of fun! Thanks for your support.
A couple of suggestions, I would put the back flow preventer before the timer or at your water source, that way you just need one... I would use a 10PSI pressure reducer for the drip tape, I have had drip tape leaking for too much pressure.....I would buy single zone timers, if one breaks you wont need to replace the all thing, I have 2 melnor 4 zones after 2 years one has 2 zone working and the other has 3 zones working.... I like the electrical tape idea, I have been using zip ties. Nice video.
Ya you are right it would have been better to put at the very beginning. I run 15 because I'm running all 1/2" poly for the whole system, no pvc, so it needs the extra pressure, trust me. I chose the orbit 4 zone specifically because it had individual replaceable valves. Electrical tape is so good, I rarely ever replace or couple a line with a hole. Just some electrical tape and good to go.
I want to plant a spring Garden 2020. I am turning my backyard into my first garden. I live in Zone 8b-9A Texas. Currently my back yard is patchy grass, pine needles dog poop ( im a bit salty). I am goin to give it a clean up and take out some scraggly bushes. How would you start to prepare the beds for Spring ( I would like to get seeds in the ground early) with a short 3 month window?
I currently have materials to make a compost bin and a ton of cardboard. Should I cover crop or just sheet mulch with cardboard and start building compost?
I have found that if you cut a couple of inches past the compression fitting then push the hose all the way thru the fitting grab the excess with pliers and you will have removed the hose with minimum effort. also I have a video on dripper installation you might find useful
Nice thanks for the tip Dave. I'll try out your technique next time.
Love what you're doing, But can you show us how you plant your seed and if you use any techniques? Please.
Hi Riley, thank you. Sure I would love to make an espisode on that soon. I've been doing a lot of experiments this year really dialing in my seed starting, doing literally every technique and soil mix. I want to give people really good advice from experience :)
Do the watermelons like that particular companion planting setup? I want to try something similar this year and might use your layout as an example.
You're doing a great job with all this how to vids, keep it up!
Yes it worked amazingly well! One of my Jubilee watermelons was 30lbs and super delicious! I had many other 20+lb as well, so I'd say it was a success! Thanks I'm so happy people are finding them helpful to them.
I use a lot of the black poly line and there's a new kind of twist-on connector they use. I don't like the compression fit, because once you jam a poly line in it's there for all eternity. With the twist on type you just stick the black half-inch line over the barb and then twist a threaded cap that clamps it. If you ever need to undo or redo the line you just loosen the cap and the poly comes right off, just cut off the last inch and you can use the poly or the connector again.
Also, where do you buy drip tape?
Hi Nate, just responded to your personal message. I didn't know I could receive personal messages on youtube lol. Yes those screw on connectors are really great but way more expensive. After 4 years of farming I've rarely had to cut and readjust my 1/2" so I haven't found a need to switch to superior but more expensive connectors. I bought all of my drip from dripdepot.com good prices and quality.
Love your videos! How can I go about running a sharp 90 degree turn with the drip tape?
I have a question. I am thinking of planting Comfrey. How do you personally use the Comfrey plant?. Thanks.
I use it for making my compost better quality and it makes it easier to reach higher temperatures, I feed it to my chickens, I make comfrey tea with it as a nutrient supplement for plants, I use it as a mulch, it is a huge beneficial attractor as well. Those are the most common things I use it for, I highly recommend it in your garden, it is incredible. Last year I saw bees and hummingbirds on it every day it had flowers.
Sorry for tardy reply. That all sounds great!. I can't wait to try it. Nature is indeed always right right?. Can I call you brother or bro from now on?. You just look like my brother from another mother so much...lol cheers!
Hey brother. Have you tried out that coal technique we talked about??
I haven't had time to work on biochar yet unfortunately.
Nature's Always Right you got this. Take your time. Just let me know how it is for you when you do. ^.^
just a side note - if you Roll out the plastic tubing, as if it was on a spool, it won't twist.
Ya you are right. I use a wooden dowel or EM conduit usually to make it roll always easier when working with another person hehe.