French Drain - Part 3, Project Completed

Subject line basically says it all.  She's a done deal.  This project was back-breaking at times, but well worth it for sure.  These old bones feel it after a day of constant shoveling or digging.  Whew.  I can already tell how beneficial the drain moves water vs puddling/swamping the backyard.  I would do this one again.

C3 Gardening Update

First, the video:

Took some pictures of the garden today to show the progress of my trials.  It stayed colder this year longer so it's not as developed as last years garden at this time.  I didn't grow much in this year's garden due to our summer-long trip to New England and the Canadian Maritimes.  Mostly, I've just grown about 30 different varieties of heirloom tomatoes in my new gardening technique I call "C3 Gardening."  I'm also using Larry Hall's method this year to grow a few peppers, eggplant, and garlic.

C3 Gardening is unique.  I wanted to create a system that's as automatic as possible, very functional, and has a super-small footprint.  I use 18 gallon tubs and a few 5-gallon buckets from last year just for trial.

Each tub contains 2 different tomato plants and each 5 gallon bucket has 1 tomato plant.  The white string you see tied to each tomato is only there to support the plant growing towards the trellis.  Once it reaches the trellis, it'll be removed and each plant will be limited to 2 branches growing up the trellis due to the tight arrangement.  Each C3 "T" platform supports the tubs, buckets, trellis mounts, 3 water troughs, and one planter.  If you look in the background of the picture above, you can see peas in tubs growing up the trellis and the 3 troughs.  Directly on top of the top water trough is a planter fed by wicks and the trough directly under it. Specifically in that one, I have spinach growing.  Last year, I grew dragon's tongue beans very successfully in a planter on top of a Larry Hall setup.  I'll elaborate more later.

Looking here, you can see the bottom trough feeding the buckets and tubs.  I just haven't added the 2d trough yet.  I've been busy with other projects and it really hasn't been needed yet.  Temps have barely exceeded 80 degrees so far this year.  The trough is automatically fed by my water barrel system put in last year and the level is controlled by plastic shut-off floats also explained last year.  So far, I'm digging the system.

This is the "T" platform, the backbone of C3 Gardening.  Each one is 9 or 10 (can't remember) 2x4 studs.  That's a little over $20 per  "T".  I used raw wood vs treated because I didn't want chemicals leaching into the troughs.  The raw wood should last at least 3 seasons.  At only $20 bucks, it's not an issue for me.  It this pic, it's easier to see the planter on top and the 3 troughs.

Above, you can see peas being fed by two troughs and the top planter with spinach.

Gina's Old House Gets a Facelift

Gina's old house is our top rental property.  It hasn't rented for quite a while.  Not sure if it's the economy, our military not moving as much (personnel changes), or the amount of properties available to rent.  Whatever the case, it was a good time to get a facelift.  Hired someone to put on a new roof--architectural shingles--and I did the painting, shutters, concrete, and everything else myself.  Check out the before and after pics.  I feel like it looks better now.

Buffalo National River Float - Ponca to Pruitt

Had an awesome extended weekend with my son Donovan, my son-in-law Brad, and my grandson William.  This 3-day, 2-night river float was the best Buffalo River float yet.  The river was flowing fast and had some mild, but cool rapids in it.  I made a video and attached it here for you.  It explains it all and gives some great views of the trip.