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Post by emmsmommy on Jun 29, 2022 14:40:06 GMT -5
I have several hand tools I couldn't imagine living without but my absolute best purchase was my garden cart. Actually hubby bought me a behemoth cart that was really too wide to use in the garden and I ended up buying a smaller one last spring. It's been a lifesaver as I've hauled potting soil, wood, bricks, blocks, fence posts, groceries, jugs of water and occasionally a kid. It's narrow enough to go through the main garden path and will actually go between the beds though it's pretty tight. I actually widened the path between my new beds to accommodate it. My only complaint with it is that the pin that held the handle on fell out soon after I bought it and I attached it with a piece of wire as I intended to pick up a new clip but never did. I usually keep a piece of cardboard on the bottom to keep scuffing at a minimum but it already has a few battle scars. So what's the best thing you've bought or been gifted for the garden?
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Post by Wheelgarden on Jun 29, 2022 15:52:37 GMT -5
Simple soaker hoses. They've saved me lots of time, labor (dragging the garden hose all over creation), and made watering more efficient. emmsmommy , garden carts are great.
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Post by raphanus on Jun 29, 2022 16:49:13 GMT -5
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Post by binnylou on Jun 29, 2022 17:28:50 GMT -5
At one time, I thought my best garden tool was my Hori Hori garden knife, but…
If it were not for the used golf cart purchased for gardening and getting around our property, I would not be gardening. I’ve wanted a Gator, but the golf cart has a bench seat and is more accessible. So, if it dies before I do, I’ll be looking for another used golf cart.
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Post by datgirl on Jun 29, 2022 18:08:40 GMT -5
binnylou,gotta agree with you on the golf cart. Then there's a shovel that I took from my parents house. There is something about it that just fits. I can't explain it. It's just a shovel, but I would be lost without it.
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Post by desertwoman on Jun 29, 2022 19:37:29 GMT -5
I also think my garden cart. Mine doesn't have sides on it, however- just a small edge The next best purchase was replacing the inflatable tires it came with, with solid rubber flat- free tires.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Jun 29, 2022 22:34:27 GMT -5
I'd have to say, in general, the irrigation things for the drip system, including those timers! I have to keep an eye on them, in case things clog, but otherwise, it saves me countless time! I started out years ago, with soaker hoses, but these eventually sprung leaks, plus it wasted a lot more water.
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Post by martywny on Jun 30, 2022 5:06:38 GMT -5
My 7" stirrup hoe from AM Leonard and drip irrigation system.
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Post by emmsmommy on Jun 30, 2022 7:07:17 GMT -5
pepperhead212, martywny, will drip irrigation work with gravity feed? Wondering if it was feasible to run one from the rain barrel or if it needed more pressure.
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Post by martywny on Jun 30, 2022 7:48:39 GMT -5
will drip irrigation work with gravity feed? It can be done given the right conditions. I use pressure-compensating emitters so the line will turn on after sufficient pressure is built up in that line. I use both 7.5 psi and 25 psi pressure regulators for my different systems. If I wanted to do gravity feed, I would use the 7.5 psi regulator with a line of 20 or so .5 gph emitters. This would slowly disperse a quart of water to each plant if you left it on for 30 minutes. My feeder tubes feed into a 1' piece of 1/2" PVC conduit with 6 holes drilled into it, placed next to the plant so the roots get the water. Now, here's the kicker. You will need some elevation to get the required amount of pressure. To achieve 7.5 psi, you divide the constant of .4333 into the desired pressure of 7.5 to obtain the needed height, which in this case is 17.3' If your garden is 18' below your barrel, that's good, otherwise, you can use a solar pump or windmill to move the water uphill for storage. I've built those systems in previous years for other uses but they will serve this application well. This is how I get water to the plants...
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Post by reuben on Jun 30, 2022 11:52:14 GMT -5
Probably my (free) OGC membership.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Jun 30, 2022 13:36:01 GMT -5
reuben , well said! My favorite tool is my scuffle hoe.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Jun 30, 2022 14:09:36 GMT -5
emmsmommy Something I got that will work from gravity, and drain the rain barrel just a few inches below it, is 1/4" drip line, with emitters 6" apart, about .5 gal/hr, though that's at higher pressure. I only use that on my herb bed, and when it's opened, it's faster, since it is about 3½' high, but slows down considerably as it empties. In a few days, it will empty out completely. This might not be exactly what I got, but it's similar: www.amazon.com/Irrigation-Tubing-Emitter-Spacing-Color/dp/B082WNNYR9?ref=silk_at_search
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Post by emmsmommy on Jun 30, 2022 16:17:56 GMT -5
Probably my (free) OGC membership. That's probably by default everyone's best tool.
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Post by emmsmommy on Jun 30, 2022 17:34:56 GMT -5
Thank you pepperhead212, martywny. Looks like I have some homework to do. The new garden is definitely below grade but need to check out just how far it would be from the rain barrel and determine if it would be feasible. I'm thinking the best spot for the greenhouse will be right beside the new garden and drip irrigation would be a definite asset to what I intend to grow inside.
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