New house, new chapter

[Richard]

Structures=raised beds? :lurk:

There's 2 10'L x 4'W x 16"H banana plats, 1 4'L x 3'W x 16"H containment for a shrub outside my kitchen window, 4 12'L x 6'W x 2'H vegetable and herb beds, 1 23'L x 4'W x 16"H bed for Vacciniums (blueberries, huckleberries), 2 8'L x 4'W x 8"H footings for sheds on the north side of house, and 1 36"L x 28"W x 32"H enclosure for irrigation cutoff valve. All these structures are only 8" above ground, with exception of the vegetable/herb beds that are 16" above ground.

Construction is 6" x 16" bond-beam cinder block with 3/8" rebar and cement. The structures for plants have segments of 3/16" clothesline between the bricks as a spacer for water drainage and to keep cement from percolating down (or up) between the spaces.

I love the color but, even more now, your patio furniture doesn't cut it. Just saying...

Yes, when I've finished with the house and garden maybe I'll splurge and update my front patio furniture. It's not likely to happen this year.
:0519:

[Richard]

Today I rented a ditch witch RT12 and dug a few dozen trenches for irrigation pipes.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55293&size=1

[Richard]

Yesterday and today I've been pouring cement into cinder-block walls of 5 planter beds and 1 irrigation box. Two of the beds were for banana plats. It took 30.5 90-lb bags of cement this go-round. Tomorrow I start digging out the footings for 4 vegetable beds.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55695

[kubali]

looking good, soon you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor..

[Richard]

15 cubic yards mushroom compost

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55388&size=1

[bananimal]

15 cubic yards mushroom compost

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55388&size=1

I use it too as a mix component for potting everything and planting fruit trees. I get it by the bag at Lowes. Good stuff.

[Richard]

I use it too as a mix component for potting everything and planting fruit trees. I get it by the bag at Lowes. Good stuff.

For a total price of $175 a fellow named Jerry (760-500-8141) will bring 15 c.y. of it to many locations in north county San Diego. What a deal!

[bengal tiger nanas]

For a total price of $175 a fellow named Jerry (760-500-8141) will bring 15 c.y. of it to many locations in north county San Diego. What a deal!

WOW that is a good deal, wish i could find that around here. thanks

[Richard]

I've started transplanting trees from their well-marked containers into the ground (yippee!). I still needed labeling for the trees, so I bought a box of Impress-O-Tags.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55552

[Richard]

Below is a photo of the 3-node fertigation bus I'm building. Coming up out of the ground is a 1-inch PVC supply line that feeds to 3 red-handled valves. Each of those will attach to a separate Dosatron injector (not shown) that also feeds from its own supply tank of fertilizer concentrate. In the node on the left of the picture, you might be able to see a tall pipe that goes back into the ground and connects to my raised bed for tubers (potatoes, onions, etc.). At the middle fertigation node there are two pipes leading back into the ground, one goes to 5 flowering plants in the front yard (azalea, true jasmine, rose, rosemary, and annuals) and the other goes to my Vaccinium bed along an eastern-facing house wall in the back yard. The righthand fertigation node is for fruit fuel. I'll be installing that line next week. It will lead to about 22 secondary electronic valves, each supplying irrigation to 3-4 trees/shrubs.

The bottom photo is a view of work in progress installing irrigation lines to fruit trees -- which are also waiting to be planted in the ground.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56568&size=1

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56567&size=1

[Hammocked Banana]

Wow I hope after watching all your work I can install a fertigation system like that!

[crazy banana]

R I C H A R D: we are update deprived. How are all your plants doing in this plant heaven environment?

[Richard]

R I C H A R D: we are update deprived. How are all your plants doing in this plant heaven environment?

A few months ago I cut my phone bill from $110/mo. to $45/mo. by switching out my 2 year old iPhone 5 for an AT&T (LG) Z998 smartphone and restricting data to WiFi only. I'm happy about the cost savings but the camera and camera firmware has a strange color balance. Typically it over-saturates in blue and/or purple. As a consequence, I've been taking fewer pictures.

Here's a view of my two banana plats, taken yesterday. In the foreground you see Namwa followed by Temple. Further down on the left before the red cement mixer are Brazilian and Pisang Ceylon. They're all about 5' at the pstem crotch.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55078&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55078)

[Richard]

Today I worked off-and-on again digging a 50 foot long trench to carry a conduit pipe for irrigation control wire. Whew! Glad that's over with.

On the right of the picture, you can also see just past the ladder an artichoke plant in a 25-gallon pot. Just past those are some blueberry and huckleberry plants. Once the conduit is in, I'll build dual planter beds for those plants.

On the left of the picture you'll notice a lot of masonry block. These are awaiting installation to form 4 planter beds for tubers, fruiting vegetables, herbs, and leafy vegetables. The weather is cooling down again so who knows, maybe I'll finish before Thanksgiving!
:08:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56848&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56848)

[Richard]

Today I completed what I call "grand central station" !!

The short story: some control wires for irrigation come from inside the house under the backyard patio and are directed to various places in the yard.

The long story for the few I know are interested:
* You see three 1.5" 'toe boxes'.
* On the left side, from the house and under the back patio comes a 1.5" conduit carrying multiple cables.
* In the first box on the left, lots of bundles come in and one 10 x 18 gauge bundle goes out to the back planter beds. The remaining bundles carry through.
* In the second (middle) box, a 5 x 18 gauge bundle exits for automatic valves on the back patio, and an 10 x 18 g. bundle exits to the fertigation bus subsystem.
* In the third (right) box, a 3-wire romex exits in a 3/4" line to service a water feature controlled by an interior switch/timer, and three 5 x 18 gauge wires continue through out the 1.5" exit to service the orchard.

The pipes will be buried when I fill the trenches, and the toe boxes will be obscured from vision by a rectangular irrigation box.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56856&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56856)

[boffcheck]

wow :) I like that kind of automation!! :lurk:

[lmswayne]

Today I completed what I call "grand central station" !!

The short story: some control wires for irrigation come from inside the house under the backyard patio and are directed to various places in the yard.

The long story for the few I know are interested:
* You see three 1.5" 'toe boxes'.
* On the left side, from the house and under the back patio comes a 1.5" conduit carrying multiple cables.
* In the first box on the left, lots of bundles come in and one 10 x 18 gauge bundle goes out to the back planter beds. The remaining bundles carry through.
* In the second (middle) box, a 5 x 18 gauge bundle exits for automatic valves on the back patio, and an 10 x 18 g. bundle exits to the fertigation bus subsystem.
* In the third (right) box, a 3-wire romex exits in a 3/4" line to service a water feature controlled by an interior switch/timer, and three 5 x 18 gauge wires continue through out the 1.5" exit to service the orchard.

The pipes will be buried when I fill the trenches, and the toe boxes will be obscured from vision by a rectangular irrigation box.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56856&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56856)


You are the man! I want to say that your fertilizer is great my trees are so happy my pair tree bloomed again and I have a second crop coming on and my kiwis have doubled in size it is amazing. Thank you.:goteam:

[Richard]

4 months, 3 tools, 2 quarts of phosphoric acid --> one six foot pipe trench through a decaying palm tree stump.
:0519:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55279&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55279)

[merce3]

Today I completed what I call "grand central station" !!

The short story: some control wires for irrigation come from inside the house under the backyard patio and are directed to various places in the yard.

The long story for the few I know are interested:
* You see three 1.5" 'toe boxes'.
* On the left side, from the house and under the back patio comes a 1.5" conduit carrying multiple cables.
* In the first box on the left, lots of bundles come in and one 10 x 18 gauge bundle goes out to the back planter beds. The remaining bundles carry through.
* In the second (middle) box, a 5 x 18 gauge bundle exits for automatic valves on the back patio, and an 10 x 18 g. bundle exits to the fertigation bus subsystem.
* In the third (right) box, a 3-wire romex exits in a 3/4" line to service a water feature controlled by an interior switch/timer, and three 5 x 18 gauge wires continue through out the 1.5" exit to service the orchard.

The pipes will be buried when I fill the trenches, and the toe boxes will be obscured from vision by a rectangular irrigation box.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56856&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56856)

would this setup be feasible to put together for the hobbyist (me)? any basic plans that you can share? i want to step my game up in the spring.

[Hammocked Banana]

What did u use the acid for Richard? Digesting the stump??

[Richard]

What did u use the acid for Richard? Digesting the stump??

Yes, after not getting more than a few feet dug the first month, I poured a quart of 30% phosphoric acid where I wanted to place the trench, and then waited a month. That helped a bit, but not enough so I poured another quart on and waited a month. Then I waited for last month's heatwave to subside and dug it out today.

would this setup [the irrigation controllers and fertigation] be feasible to put together for the hobbyist (me)? any basic plans that you can share? i want to step my game up in the spring.

Yes, yes, and go for it!!

I will write you one and endeavor to post it in the Guides section of my website by the end of Fall. Please nag me by email. At the moment I'm also writing another guide called "About Fertilizer" which hopefully will help people with the basic differences between nutrients, hormones (growth regulators), soil conditioners, and surfactants/adjuvants. Unfortunately, all four of those are typically classified as plant fertilizers.

... looks like lawnmower/weed whacker food ...
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56856&size=1

I don't own either of those devices, nor do I have a lawn or weeds to whack down. Annual rainfall here for 9/2013 through 8/2014 was 4.6 inches. Any weeds that come up are pulled, and since they are usually from blossoms in my herb garden they get eaten too!
:woohoonaner:

[jbyrd88888]

Touché Richard... Point well made (had a good notion, I was leaving some variables out.)

I can only see a new fresh separate (clevery located) circuit panel well worth the investment; at the stage you're at. Sure you could just drop extention cords but
thinkin'bout it: gazebo and tool shed; you will end up getting something later/afterwhile?


How can you live without a lawnmower and weedeater? Can life really exist or are you supernatural? ;) :08:

[trebor]

How can you live without a lawnmower and weedeater? Can life really exist or are you supernatural? ;) :08:

Ha ha ... That's some funny stuff rite there!

[Richard]

... How can you live without a lawnmower and weedeater? Can life really exist or are you supernatural? ;) :08:

Ha ha ... That's some funny stuff rite there!

Yeah Trevor, he totally missed the consequence of 4.6 inches is rainfall per year.

Touché Richard... Point well made (had a good notion, I was leaving some variables out.)

I can only see a new fresh separate (clevery located) circuit panel ...

It's not just one circuit panel but 4 controller panels with 9 valves each + master valve triggers etc. heading down the pipe to grand central station.

[Richard]

Here's a photo of the irrigation controllers. They're indoors on a wall in my sunroom. The control wires travel down and into the large 1.5" conduit that travels under my patio. I'll be adding one more controller box before its all finished.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54306 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53909)

[Richard]

Here's the tee off location for a 165 ft miniature golf course that I staked out through the orchard today. I'm not sure how many holes there will be, probably six to ten. Hopefully, knowing where the course is now I can go ahead and install irrigation, lighting, and power in the orchard without having to retrofit later when I build the golf paths.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55385&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55385)

[trebor]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56897 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56600)

[Richard]

I've been installing electrical conduit for outdoor garden lighting off-and-on since springtime. Well today I finished that task, about 450 feet of conduit and trench. The circuit is switched from inside the house. It exits the house on the south side and then circles around to the east, north, and then west. There are also some side jaunts for lighting along a few pathways.

Shown below is the junction where a run along the north meets the western run I completed last month. There are about 2 dozen such junctions in the yard. After I pull 3-wire 14-gauge Romex (AC wiring) from junction to junction, I'll mount a junction box on top to join the pipes, and mount an outdoor lighting fixture on top of the junction box. I'm planning on using 9-Watt CFL daylight bulbs.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56910&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56910)

[GreenFin]

Here's the tee off location for a 165 ft miniature golf course that I staked out through the orchard today. I'm not sure how many holes there will be, probably six to ten. Hopefully, knowing where the course is now I can go ahead and install irrigation, lighting, and power in the orchard without having to retrofit later when I build the golf paths.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55385&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55385)
That is outrageously cool.

Your awesomeness knows no bounds!

[Richard]

Today I installed the 1st row of irrigation risers for the fruit orchard.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56953&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56953)

[Richard]

Well, I'm down to installing the last row of irrigation risers in the orchard. It turns out that the last 6 feet of the trench contains medium to large (3" to 8" diameter) Brazilian Pepper Tree roots which are about as hard as mahogany. Now I've taken out a few of these in various places with an 8-lb maul, but my wrists and shoulders start aching just thinking about 6 feet worth. So I ordered a 12 Amp (1 horsepower) reciprocating saw with extra blades for the job and it arrived today.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55335 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55279)

[lmswayne]

Fun man tools the best kind to work with. Have fun I hope it goes well.

[NeedForSeed]

Wow! I just can't wait to see what this will look like when it's up and running. Very inspiring project. Keep up the great work!

[lmswayne]

when you are done hubby and I my have to make your place a vacation destination just so we can drool on your yard. Thank you for posting every step I will be sad when it is done.

[Richard]

... I will be sad when it is done.

I'll be tired but happy.

By the way, I went to a great talk last night at the north county CRFG meeting by Paul Bingham. He's done amazing things with his yard in Carlsbad -- about 95% edible plants and architecturally beautiful on a smaller lot.

[venturabananas]

By the way, I went to a great talk last night at the north county CRFG meeting by Paul Bingham. He's done amazing things with his yard in Carlsbad -- about 95% edible plants and architecturally beautiful on a smaller lot.

I should get some tips. I've succeeded in making my yard look like the tropics (more or less), but not the version you'd see in Sunset magazine's Hawaii section, and that's what my wife would prefer.

[lmswayne]

I'll be tired but happy.

By the way, I went to a great talk last night at the north county CRFG meeting by Paul Bingham. He's done amazing things with his yard in Carlsbad -- about 95% edible plants and architecturally beautiful on a smaller lot.

I know you will be happy but I have become addicted to seeing all of your hard work turn into a bountiful and lovely yard .Thank you for sharing.

[Richard]

That reciprocating saw easily cuts through the Brazilian Pepper Tree roots in 30 seconds what would take 30 minutes with maul or axe.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55530&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55530)

[Richard]

Bit by bit I'm making progress on the irrigation trench that was blocked by Brazilian Pepper Tree roots. At this point I've got less than 3' to go and hope to finish before the forecast rains arrive at the end of the week.

Here's a photo of today's progress -- sorry, my AT&T phone is really good at taking overexposed blue-hue'd pictures!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57278&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57278)

[trebor]

I'm only in it for the $money$

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57279&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57279&ppuser=7970)

[Richard]

cutting through the stump ...

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57290&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57290)

[trebor]

Oh man! That's a job, about a month ago I helped to remove a Dade County Pine stump from rite next to a house. the stump grinder couldn't get it all because to close to the house. I actually wore out a drill ! It was 40 inches long by 7 wide went down about 26 inches. We ended up sore and tired!

[Richard]

After numerous hours labor, saw blades, and five 15-gallon containers of cuttings ... I finished trenching through the stump! Now I can complete my irrigation.

:woohoonaner:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54937&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54937)

[Darkman]

Great job Richard.

Here is my tip for stump removal. Dig the dirt out from underneath it and wash the remaining dirt off. Lastly get the chainsaw a cut it up. Much easier than dealing with it surrounded by dirt. This is my first visit back to your post since my quadruple bypass in June. Glad to see you have made great progress. I use the same irrigation controller. Super easy to work with.

Thanks for the pictures.

[JCA433]

Darkman, I have not seen you post in long time and was concerned about you. Nice to see you again!

[Richard]

Today I got busy installing this irrigation substation near the southwest corner of my yard. It will serve planter beds in the area.

Still to be done in the photo: bring in the 3/4" conduit line for the controller wires and also connect to six 3/4" pipes coming from the planter beds -- all of which are buried in the mud in the trenches below the valves.

Five of the valves serve one planter each: two for bananas, two for fruiting vegetables, and one for herbs.
One of the valves serves two smaller planters: a Bababerry raspberry, and a Cherry Of The Rio Grande.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53782&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53782)

:woohoonaner:

[the flying dutchman]

Maybe a dumb question Richard but can you add fertilizers to the system e.g. for each planter separate. Or is this not neccessary?

[Snarkie]

In a few weeks I'll move into this 1100 sq.ft. home in Vista CA on 1/4 acre. Plenty of room for bananas, fruits, vegetables, and ... in the few months of cooler weather it is amenable to hydroponics.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52781&size=1Nice lot! Is that Mt. Palomar in the background?

[Richard]

Maybe a dumb question Richard but can you add fertilizers to the system e.g. for each planter separate. Or is this not neccessary?

This set of valves is downstream from one of three fertigators. The main one services about two dozen valves including these, the secondary unit services three valves, and the smallest only one valve. All plants are under fertigation for the purposes of pH control, fertilizers, and pesticides.

[Richard]

Nice lot! Is that Mt. Palomar in the background?

Just the north-south ridge of hills along the eastern city limits of Vista. San Marcos is directly over the hill on the far right.

[Snarkie]

Just the north-south ridge of hills along the eastern city limits of Vista. San Marcos is directly over the hill on the far right.Ah okay. It's been over a decade since I was there, but I remember being able to see the observatory from the Sam's Club in Vista; I was thinking it was the same range.

Nice project, BTW! You're making some good progress. Here in the South to remove a stump, we use a couple pounds of smokeless under it. It removes the stump and makes a bunch of mulch all in one shot. :D

[Richard]

Finished piping on substation, then buried it to just below the valves and put the covers on.

:woohoonaner:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55607&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55607)

[lmswayne]

Finished piping on substation, then buried it to just below the valves and put the covers on.

:woohoonaner:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55607&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55607)

great looking plum job how much do you have left?

[Richard]

great looking plum job how much do you have left?

That's the first of five to complete. Then I get to pull controller wire!

:woohoonaner:

Of course I still have to build 5 planter beds, 2 sheds, put about 2 dozen trees in the ground, and build the miniature golf course.

:0519:

[merce3]

man, your setup looks very professional. can't wait until you have it done so you can hopefully explain to us how you set everything up. i am looking to install some microsprayers in late spring so i might be reaching out for pointers in the near future.

[servatusprime]

man, your setup looks very professional. can't wait until you have it done so you can hopefully explain to us how you set everything up. i am looking to install some microsprayers in late spring so i might be reaching out for pointers in the near future.

I did microsprayers, and I'm not so sure I would do it again. For me they clogged up over time and accessing the supply and feeder lines (making up terms here) within the beds has become frustrating as they will get entangled with roots and slowly pushed down.

If you do it, I would recommend keeping the supply line out of the bed and the feeder lines on top of the mulch to be reset when you get new mulch. Also I found that I need several micro sprayers for my bananas.

That's my two cents but maybe I'm doing it wrong or my source of irrigation isn't quite so compatible. I hope it works out for you though.

[sunfish]

So your valves will be above grade not in a valve box ?

[Darkman]

I did microsprayers, and I'm not so sure I would do it again. For me they clogged up over time and accessing the supply and feeder lines (making up terms here) within the beds has become frustrating as they will get entangled with roots and slowly pushed down.

If you do it, I would recommend keeping the supply line out of the bed and the feeder lines on top of the mulch to be reset when you get new mulch. Also I found that I need several micro sprayers for my bananas.

That's my two cents but maybe I'm doing it wrong or my source of irrigation isn't quite so compatible. I hope it works out for you though.

Look at Metafilm Micro sprays. If they clog a half turn removes the sprinkler head and then after a flush a half turn resets the head. If you are walking the line and see a clogged head you can twist it off while the system is running and it will be flushed by the time you complete your inspection walk and then just turn the valve off and replace the heads. On all micro sprays a filter is recommended.

[Richard]

So your valves will be above grade not in a valve box ?

They are above grade and enclosed in above grade valve boxes.

[sunfish]

They are above grade and enclosed in above grade valve boxes.

Oh!

[Richard]

This photo ought to help

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55580&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55580)

[lmswayne]

That's the first of five to complete. Then I get to pull controller wire!

:woohoonaner:

Of course I still have to build 5 planter beds, 2 sheds, put about 2 dozen trees in the ground, and build the miniature golf course.

:0519:

Is that all.......... How many holes?

[Richard]

For the put-put golf course, I have 160 feet of transit. So 8 or 9 holes.
:woohoonaner:

[trebor]

Putting and end to the rumors about Yellow golf balls!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57489&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57489&ppuser=7970)

[Richard]

As of late I've been planting my deciduous trees. Today I set out to put in the second row, but instead ended up spending the entire afternoon uncovering a buried circular concrete pad about 8 feet in diameter. I'd seen older aerial photos showing a circular planter bed at this location, so with no surprise here it is :ha:

It was buried about 5 to 8 inches under the grade level. There are numerous cracks in it so perhaps I can take it apart with a sledge hammer and crowbar. Looks like tomorrow will be concrete demolition day!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54560&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54560)

[Hammocked Banana]

What a find!

[Snarkie]

Or, you could take a drive up to Vandenburg and get a demilled Minuteman, and use that for the base in your new rocket garden. :ha:

[Richard]

Fortunately that cement pad had no rebar :)
I took it apart today, and tomorrow I'm back to planting trees.

:woohoonaner:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57493&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57493)

[trebor]

Boy... You got a lucky break with no rebar in the one. If I were you I'd buy a lotto ticket you're luck could be on a roll...

[Richard]

Boy... You got a lucky break with no rebar in the one. If I were you I'd buy a lotto ticket you're luck could be on a roll...

Boy no kidding! I was ready with the circular saw and Dewalt demolition blades though.
:2723:

[Richard]

So after clearing out the "buried treasure", my par for the week is 4 trees planted. From foreground to background (barely discernable) are:
Nectarine, Desert Dawn
Peach, Mid Pride
Nectarine, Snow Queen
Aprium, Cot N Candy

:drum:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54796&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54796)

[Scuba_Dave]

Ran into the same thing at my old house, but not buried as deep
Since it was in the back corner I ended up moving the shed that was on the property onto the cement pad

This house I planted a bunch of stuff last year, wish I had started some of this when I 1st moved in 10 years ago :(
100 strawberry plants -will be transplanting them all over as they spread
6 Blueberry bushes: 2 Herbert -1gal, 2 Patriot Highbush, 2 Sweetheart Highbush
4 Dwarf Supreme Plum trees: 2 Bubblegum + 2 Superior
4 Nectarine Dwarf Supreme 2 Crimson Gold & 2 Crimson Snow
I have 1/2 an acre but some woods along one side

I did 2 + 2 on the dwarf trees as each one is a pollinator for the other
The earlier you start stuff the sooner you enjoy the fruits of your labor

[Richard]

The earlier you start stuff the sooner you enjoy the fruits of your labor

Great Avatar.

http://www.bananas.org/avatars/scuba_dave.gif

[venturabananas]

So after clearing out the "buried treasure", my par for the week is 4 trees planted. From foreground to background (barely discernable) are:
Nectarine, Desert Dawn
Peach, Mid Pride
Nectarine, Snow Queen
Aprium, Cot N Candy

:drum:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54796&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54796)


I love Snow Queen and Cot N Candy. Are Mid Pride and Desert Dawn on par with those two? If so, I better find some scion wood!

[Richard]

I love Snow Queen and Cot N Candy. Are Mid Pride and Desert Dawn on par with those two? If so, I better find some scion wood!

Not everyone is aware that "savory" is a separate taste perception and is related to the production of glutamates, but I'm sure Venturabananas is cognizant. Snow Queen is exceptionally high in this area and so is Mid Pride in our climate. Both fruits also have high brix scores when fertilized with sufficient potash.

Cot N Candy does exactly as described by Zaiger. It passes for apricot among most people but has a longer "hang time" on the tree and an excellent flavor punch. Circumstantially, the flavor is better than Royal grown on Branham Lane in San Jose. It is sold as apricot in a few supermarket chains.

Desert Dawn is a "non-white" nectarine from Zaiger. The performance has been excellent in USDA zones 9-11. I have tried Panamint and didn't care for it, so DD is my next iteration!

[venturabananas]

Very interesting. I'd never connected stone fruits with umami (glutamate). That explains why I ilke Snow Queen so much. Glad I will have some Mid Pride scion wood to graft, since it is high in glutamates, too.

[Richard]

Littlefoot (my supervisor) and I finished installing the row of Moraceae this week. Here you see from foreground to background:
Morus nigra "Black Beauty"
Ficus "Violette de Bordeaux"
Ficus "Panache"
Ficus "Janice Seedless Kadota"

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57507&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57507)

[Richard]

This week I planted my two apple trees. For deciduous plants, that just leaves one pomegranate, two grapes, a blackberry, and a raspberry. It'd be nice to finish that next week.

In the 1st photo you see the preparation for the tree I planted today -- a White Winter Pearmain apple. The basin is about 42 sq.ft. (44" inner radius) and the planting hole is about 50 gallons (30" wide x 16" deep). The second photo shows the planted tree.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55548&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55548)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55369&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55369)

[Grannycore]

Wow, it's so interesting to find this thread and see the progression of projects over time!

[Darkman]

Great job Richard,

Finding that circular pad wasn't as bad as what I found. A septic tank (thankfully non active for decades) and a couple hundred feet of drain lines!!!!

I have decided I will make the trip out west after I retire. I simply have to see your place.

[Richard]

The CRFG Festival Of Fruit will be held in the San Diego area this August. My house will be on the list of garden tours.
:woohoonaner:

[Richard]

Here's a photo of my supervisor at the end of a day's work.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57529&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57529)

[Richard]

the blocks they came a two by two ...


beginning of raspberry planter construction
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55709&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55709)

[Hammocked Banana]

Your garden is looking great. Im also planting 4 varieties of raspberries in the next few days.

[Richard]

A few days ago I finished placing the blocks and vertical rebar for the raspberry planter bed. Today I filled the blocks with concrete. I'll wait a few days for it to dry, then add soil and plant the brambles.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55285&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55285)

[Richard]

Finished the raspberry planter today.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57694 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55285)

[lmswayne]

You do great work Richard. You have given us so many good ideas for our own yard for things we want to change. I just want to thank you once again for sharing tour journey with us.

[Darkman]

Hi Richard I have to ask.

I have never had much exposure to raspberries and was wondering if they are picked well before they are ripe and do you think I would like them better if I had a ripe one? They have always seemed excessively tart to me.

[Hammocked Banana]

If they are very tart then it definitely seems like you have them before they were ripe. Good raspberries are very sweet, but there may be some tartness depending on the variety. They are one of my favorite fruits/berries and they are also very hardy for us northerners.

[Richard]

Hi Richard I have to ask.

I have never had much exposure to raspberries and was wondering if they are picked well before they are ripe and do you think I would like them better if I had a ripe one? They have always seemed excessively tart to me.

Straight off the vine they're awesome. Although, the thornless varieties of raspberry seem to be less flavorful.

[Worm_Farmer]

Great job! Its really looking good.
Now Fly to FL and make this happen at my hosue. :)

[Kat2]

Great job! Its really looking good.
Now Fly to FL and make this happen at my hosue. :)I live pretty close so you can kill 2 birds with one stone.

[Darkman]

My house is the closest so I'll let you practice at my house!!!!!

[Kat2]

My house is the closest so I'll let you practice at my house!!!!!You need no help; your place is beautiful. I'm surprised you didn't sweeten the pot with an offer of 'que.

[Richard]

Today I installed 13 galvanized metal posts in my secondary retaining wall. They will serve as uprights for a railing and also the base of them will provide attachments for lateral support to a grape trellis going in behind the railing.

You can see some of the horizontal pieces for the railing in the photo. The bricks at the bottom of the posts are just temporary supports while the mortar dries.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57703&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57703)

[CountryBoy1981]

Hi Richard I have to ask.

I have never had much exposure to raspberries and was wondering if they are picked well before they are ripe and do you think I would like them better if I had a ripe one? They have always seemed excessively tart to me.

Good to see you back on the forum again. How has everything been with you? Also I was in pensacola on highway 90 and the Home Depot there has the "Lila" avocado variety that is hardy to 14 once established.

[trebor]

Grapes! Now your talking... them things are awesome when you can walk over and pick them off the vine. No I dont have any ...

[Darkman]

Good to see you back on the forum again. How has everything been with you? Also I was in pensacola on highway 90 and the Home Depot there has the "Lila" avocado variety that is hardy to 14 once established.

I am doing well but last year set me so far behind and I'm trying desperately to catch up. I'll call them and see if they still have any. I also check my local store in the morning.

Love looking at Richards progress to motivate me.

[Richard]

Prelude to a trellis

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57713&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57713)

[Funkthulhu]

I gotta say, this is one of 4 or 5 threads I check every day regardless of updates. I am amazed and inspired by the transformation of this property.

It really gives me some ideas for my own home when I get the chance.

[Richard]

Here's the progress on my "vineyard" trellis as viewed from the southern end. All the vertical and horizontal structural pieces are finished. The top rails are about 8 feet long and 8 ft above the ground level on the right. The ground level gradually slopes down, then upward to the north so the trellis height steps up incrementally down then up with respect to the horizon. Overall there are 10 sections for a total length of 80 feet. At the moment I'm waiting on ten 3 ft x 8 ft lattice sections to install horizontally across the top. These will support the vines that will be trained across the top. In the meantime there are plenty of other tasks to complete -- as you can see on the left of the photo I have cinder block waiting for installation of herb and vegetable planter beds.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57919&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57919)

[Darkman]

Hi Richard,

Are you using the lattice for aesthetics or is there another reason. Is the lattice wood or plastic. I used 8 ga. tensioned wire and I still get dips in the wire between "T" posts. You will be supporting a pretty heavy weight with these vines and they just get bigger every year since you do not cut them back to the trunk. If you run the vines across the top it will be harder to get to for pruning. Not sure about grapes but muscadines get pruned back to the short spurs off the cordon each February. Eventually muscadines properly pruned will look like stag horns growing off the cordon. From the short side I'm guessing the lattice will be about four feet off the ground and you would have to reach out over the lattice for pruning, is that about right?

[Richard]

Are you using the lattice for aesthetics or is there another reason. Is the lattice wood or plastic. I used 8 ga. tensioned wire and I still get dips in the wire between "T" posts. You will be supporting a pretty heavy weight with these vines and they just get bigger every year since you do not cut them back to the trunk.
I grew grapes on a lattice at my previous home. This time around I want to be able to walk under my vines. I am using pressure-treated 2x4s for both the uprights and horizontals. The horizontals are attached with joist hangers and straps. There's 11 uprights, 10 horizontals, and 5 vines. Each of the vines spans two horizontals supported by 3 uprights. Soon I'll place ten 32" by 7.5' ladder trellises horizontally on top to support tertiary branching during the growing season. The tertiary branches will be kept to 5 feet as is common with vineyard practice. My plan is to remove them all each winter back to the two main horizontals running across the top.
If you run the vines across the top it will be harder to get to for pruning.
The structure is only 16 inches away from the center of the "short side".
From the short side I'm guessing the lattice will be about four feet off the ground and you would have to reach out over the lattice for pruning, is that about right?
Yes.

[Richard]

One of my new toys -- a collated screw gun.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57992&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57992)

[Kat2]

One of my new toys -- a collated screw gun.Nice! I'm looking for a used recip.

Kinda completely OT but I picked up a male and female kiwi on Mother's Day. (It's become a tradition to buy myself plants that day--someone has to, right?) I don't have a trellis or the ability to put one up but I do have metal posts on my carport, a privacy fence and a couple of tall scrub pines. Would any of those work?

[Richard]

Nice! I'm looking for a used recip.
Kinda completely OT but I picked up a male and female kiwi on Mother's Day. (It's become a tradition to buy myself plants that day--someone has to, right?) I don't have a trellis or the ability to put one up but I do have metal posts on my carport, a privacy fence and a couple of tall scrub pines. Would any of those work?

:)

Over time standard Kiwis can get big. They can easily envelope 100 feet of chain link fence with vines 1"-3" in diameter and leaves 10" to 16" across. On the plus side, the female will rain fruit on you.
:woohoonaner:

[Kat2]

:)

Over time standard Kiwis can get big. They can easily envelope 100 feet of chain link fence with vines 1"-3" in diameter and leaves 10" to 16" across. On the plus side, the female will rain fruit on you.
:woohoonaner:That's what I've read but supposedly you can prune them back. (I grew grapes once upon a time.) So tree, fence or pole?

[Richard]

That's what I've read but supposedly you can prune them back.
With a chainsaw. Once they get roots established in a temperate climate they are far more vigorous than grapes.
So tree, fence or pole?
Minimum 40' of fence for sanity.

[Kat2]

Since this is your thread, I'll ask another question. I have 40' plus of chain link that needs some repair along the back of my lot; lots of ambient light but probably only 2 to 4 hours of morning sun. (Giant elephant ears are quite happy there as is whatever this plant that resembles wandering Jew; trash trees grow fine also. Other plants but I just haven't mowed to the edge yet.) Would kiwis survive there? Perhaps lower light would tame the beast.

[Richard]

Since this is your thread, I'll ask another question. I have 40' plus of chain link that needs some repair along the back of my lot; lots of ambient light but probably only 2 to 4 hours of morning sun. (Giant elephant ears are quite happy there as is whatever this plant that resembles wandering Jew; trash trees grow fine also. Other plants but I just haven't mowed to the edge yet.) Would kiwis survive there? Perhaps lower light would tame the beast.
Fruiting would be doubtful.

[Richard]

Installed the first set of lattices on my trellis this afternoon :)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57997&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57997)

[Lau]

Looks great:woohoonaner::woohoonaner:

[Richard]

I finished my trellis today!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58020&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58020)

[crazy banana]

I finished my trellis today!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58020&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58020)

Nice job! Is it also for Dragonfruit?

[Richard]

Nice job! Is it also for Dragonfruit?
Nope, I'm growing Dragonfruit on my west patio against the house to protect it from the afternoon sun.

[lmswayne]

That's what I've read but supposedly you can prune them back. (I grew grapes once upon a time.) So tree, fence or pole?

I grow a lot of kiwi fence will hold better they get quite heavy. I prune mine back to the two year growth to produce more fruit.

[Richard]

Finished my front yard planter today -- the last piece of the puzzle for my front yard landscaping!
:woohoonaner:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58057&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58057)

[lmswayne]

All your hard work looks great. How much do you have left?

[Richard]

All your hard work looks great. How much do you have left?

More than I'd like to enumerate!
:0519:

[lmswayne]

what happened to the your lovely furniture ?

[Richard]

what happened to the your lovely furniture ?
Still there - only the patio edge is visible on the left.

[Richard]

Yesterday I transplanted from containers a Kunkerberry bush (foreground) and Bears Lime tree (background).

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58127 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58057)

[lmswayne]

Yesterday I transplanted from containers a Kunkerberry bush (foreground) and Bears Lime tree (background).

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58127 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58057)

I have never heard of a kunker berry bush are they like June berry's or goose berry's?

[Richard]

I have never heard of a kunker berry bush are they like June berry's or goose berry's?
Their are a variety of names for this plant. In the last 10 years the accepted taxonomic name has become: Carissa spinarum (http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?9166). In Wikipedia, the common name is given by the Australian spelling, but the spelling in India, Britain, and the U.S. remains Kunkerberry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carissa_spinarum).

[lmswayne]

Their are a variety of names for this plant. In the last 10 years the accepted taxonomic name has become: Carissa spinarum (http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?9166). In Wikipedia, the common name is given by the Australian spelling, but the spelling in India, Britain, and the U.S. remains Kunkerberry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carissa_spinarum).

Have you tasted them?

[Richard]

Have you tasted them?
I get 2-3 harvests a year. The one ripening in our spring is typically bland but the summer and fall crops are good eating. They never make it into the house.

[Richard]

Yesterday evening and this evening I planted my Loquat cultivar "Big Jim" and my Valencia Orange cultivar "MidKnight".

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58272&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58272)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58273&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58273)

[Darkman]

Any overhead pictures in the works? Your careful planning is starting to come together. I get lucky that way occasionally.

When do you forecast the last official planting will occur?

Thanks for the pictures!

[Richard]

I've got a half dozen more trees to plant plus 5 planter beds and 2 sheds to build. Not sure when Google is doing its next fly-over.

[Richard]

This evening I finished planting my Frost-Owari Seedless Mandarin.
:woohoonaner:

http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/imgs/frost-owari-seedless-mandarin-tree.jpg

[Richard]

On Sunday August 9th, Littlefoot and I are having an open house and BBQ for family, friends, CRFG and Bananas.org members. The theme? What do you want from life!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=-k-jVc-5BI-0ogTCvoGYCQ&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DfV_jD8K3p6Y&ved=0CB8QyCkwAA&usg=AFQjCNGCt0_NwI8czPU5hB_tKftLOUFyrg&sig2=Vud0wCmzsAZqDiwuG0iuwA

[Going Bananas]

Richard
WoW! Quite an impressive project & development since
your first pics from April of last year.
Its my first time in this thread didnt notice untill now.
I didnt see any grass though.
Gives a new meaning/twist to
water conservation landscaping.

Job well done!

[Richard]

Today I harvested 5 gallons of fruit from my Gold Nugget Mandarin, then transplanted it out of its 25-gallon pot and into the ground.

http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/imgs/gold-nugget-mandarin-tree.jpg

[Darkman]

Hi Richard,

As always your place is a source of inspiration. I have a question. How much and how often do you irrigate your trees? You seem to have pretty much full sun on all your plantings. I think I may be overwatering my trees. I use low flow MP Rotators set at ten feet tall to emulate a light rain. They come on at 0400 for ten minutes and then three additional cycles at three hours apart. They grow great but do not produce like they should. It may be that they are still young 4 -5 years old and we had a horrible ice storm in 2014 that severely set them back but they should have recovered since then. So what are your watering recommendations?

[Richard]

Darkman,
Keep in mind my climate is mild from coastal influence. For the last month mornings have been in the 70's with afternoon highs in the low 80's and humidity barely 60%. We've had no apprecciable rain for two months and probably won't until October.

Presently I'm filling the basins of the trees in the ground every 10-11 days. Each basin holds about 75 gallons. If/when hot weather arrives I'll increase the frequency to once per week.

[Richard]

Complete with 9-hole miniature golf course through the fruit tree orchard.

http://growingfruit-images.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/original/3X/9/c/9c986f53bbb55ee91aa667ea4220e77f991676b6.jpg

[Tytaylor77]

WOW Richard! It looks amazing! I know your happy to see it all completed! Congrats you deserve it!

[lmswayne]

Amazing

[37.667910]

Simply stunning.

[Darkman]

I have wanted to visit every since you started this project.

Now it's official. Your place is on my bucket list!

I think you have recreated Eden!

[mushtaq86]

Are we going to see more pics Richard, looks incredible. :lurk:

[Richard]

This hole looks tame -- but it sits on a raised plateau with ramps one foot before and after, rising/falling six inches. :)

http://growingfruit-images.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/original/3X/b/3/b36ef850be7490e00d8067196a0c123aa39119b2.jpg

[Darkman]

What turf is that? Is it sand filled and rotary fluffed?

Looks awesome?

Did you use it all the way to the top? Wife wants some grass in front yard. How weird is that? Maybe this is the type I should use. Very low water and fertilizer demand. Low profile just blow it off and I guess fluff and fill occasionally.

[Richard]

What turf is that? Is it sand filled and rotary fluffed?

It's 3/4" professional miniature golf turf on top of a 4" cement pathway. For more details see:

Home Renovation II (http://growingfruit.org/t/home-renovation-ii/9567)

[cincinnana]

It's 3/4" professional miniature golf turf on top of a 4" cement pathway. For more details see:

Home Renovation II (http://growingfruit.org/t/home-renovation-ii/9567)

The home renovation link is awesome.

WoW..:nanadrink:

[HMelendez]

WOW!.....Very beautiful place you got there Richard, after all the hard work!....Well deserved!.....:2723::bananarow::2723: