Log in

View Full Version : New house, new chapter


Pages : [1] 2

Richard
04-30-2013, 12:29 AM
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=1

GreenFin
04-30-2013, 01:35 AM
Congrats! It looks nice now, but it'll look great after you've had your hands on it a while.

Dalmatiansoap
04-30-2013, 06:59 AM
lot of work to do

abjones116
04-30-2013, 09:18 AM
Congrats Richard.

Figaro
04-30-2013, 12:11 PM
Congrat's & good luck with the new home!

Magilla Gorilla
04-30-2013, 06:56 PM
Congrats Richard. Moving can be a pain in the ass but its exciting to have a new clean slate to work with.

crazy banana
04-30-2013, 09:16 PM
Congratulations!
I see a new thread coming up: "In the beginning, the plant side was empty - chapter 2"....

bananimal
04-30-2013, 11:45 PM
Congratz Richard. Looking forward to see what you lay out on that 1/4 acre.
Especially want to see how MR and RL low chill cherries do.
I'm still skeptical about mine.

Dan

Richard
05-17-2013, 12:48 AM
A cast-iron waste-water pipe that ran from the garage to our sewer line backed up the first time we ran the washing machine. The plumbers came and started excavations for a replacement line. With all the activity on our property as of late, the gophers have given up and left for fairer pastures.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55695 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54849)

Richard
07-22-2013, 12:53 AM
Lately I've been working on irrigation for my trees potted in 25-gallon tubs. Here's my supervisor keeping tabs on the whole operation ...

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

Hammocked Banana
07-23-2013, 04:10 PM
What a handsome fella! Are u planning on doin a drip system for your trees/gardens?

Richard
07-31-2013, 01:57 AM
A portion of the 60 fruiting trees, shrubs, and vines in 25 gallon tubs.

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

kaczercat
07-31-2013, 10:26 AM
That's a beautiful view! and yes looks like lot of room! congrats on the house and please keep us posted+pics when you start planting and moving in:)

lpatelski
07-31-2013, 10:18 PM
Wow you are movin' on with your projects! It looks marvelous.
You live just eight miles from my sister who lives in San Marcos...I checked. I'll be out to her place in October...

Richard
08-21-2013, 09:47 PM
Today I finished connection my irrigation valves to electronic controllers. I've one for the patio, one for about 90 herbs & vegetables in the backyard, another for about 60 fruiting trees and vines on the side yard, and a life free of watering duties!

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

bananimal
08-22-2013, 12:29 AM
Richard --- who is the Mfg of that comptroller?

How many stations, start times, programs per box?

servatusprime
08-22-2013, 07:34 AM
Richard --- who is the Mfg of that comptroller?

How many stations, start times, programs per box?

I believe that its from Rainbird. Looks almost exactly like the one I have.

sunfish
08-22-2013, 09:09 AM
Well it does say rain bird on the controller

My guess is Rain Bird

GreenFin
08-22-2013, 09:57 AM
Nice!

How much does an irrigation system like that cost?

trebor
08-22-2013, 04:42 PM
ha ha I was looking at them very same timers today in Ace Hardware . I think they were 69.99.... thats too funny . I was thinking hmmmm is this what I need so I can water everything ...

Richard
08-22-2013, 11:07 PM
Richard --- who is the Mfg of that controller?

How many stations, start times, programs per box?

Yes, those are Rainbird STS (simple to set) controllers, 9 stations per box. They really are simple to set ... so easy a child could do it (Dr. McCoy in "Spock's Brain").

Each station can have a separate start time and schedule, and a lot more features. No menus to go scrolling through -- its all right there on the panel.

bananimal
08-23-2013, 12:26 AM
Sounds good. Mine is a Hunter and the only thing wrong is that if it gets too much rain the display starts breaking up. Have replaced the main module twice in 8 years. The best thing I did to upgrade the system is replace the centrifugal pump with a jet pump. It's running 50 5gal/hr Netafim emitters with no problem. And those Netafims are so easy to clear when clogged.

Richard
08-23-2013, 03:56 PM
Sounds good. Mine is a Hunter and the only thing wrong is that if it gets too much rain the display starts breaking up. ...

Mine are indoors for that very reason!

bananimal
08-23-2013, 08:20 PM
Mine are indoors for that very reason!

Now he tells me! lol

Richard
09-15-2013, 04:00 PM
Today I separated these pups from the mother plants. There's one Pisang Ceylon, and two "Banana from Temple".

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

Richard
10-03-2013, 07:02 PM
Earlier this week I had a very nice visit with crazy banana (http://www.bananas.org/member-crazy-banana.html). I gave her the 3 extra plants from my garden, and she gave me a very robust Namwa pup from her mat. Here it is potted up in a 25-gallon container for the coming winter.

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

bananimal
10-03-2013, 07:15 PM
Interesting looking potting mix Richard. Please give composition?

Richard
10-03-2013, 07:29 PM
Interesting looking potting mix Richard. Please give composition?

What you are seeing is about 1.5 inches of orchid bark on top of the potting soil in the pot. It serves as mulch. This particular orchid bark is 1/4" to 3/8" cubes of conifer bark manufactured by Sequoia Bark Sales in Reedley, CA. It is available in 3 cu.ft. bags for $10-$15 at many agricultural supply stores (not garden stores) in the western U.S.

crazy banana
10-04-2013, 01:18 AM
Earlier this week I had a very nice visit with crazy banana (http://www.bananas.org/member-crazy-banana.html). I gave her the 3 extra plants from my garden, and she gave me a very robust Namwa pup from her mat. Here it is potted up in a 25-gallon container for the coming winter.

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

Looking good! I am sure with your exceptional care and the new banana fuel fertilizer it will grow and fruit fast for you. You are always welcome to get more plants to fill the 1/4 acre.
Thank you so much for our new banana plants. They will stay in the pots until spring.
BTW: I love the orchid bark mulch a lot, too.

Richard
10-07-2013, 09:29 PM
Today I started work on landscaping my yard. Here's what the front and back yard looked like at the end of the day!

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

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

Nicolas Naranja
10-07-2013, 10:31 PM
Today I started work on landscaping my yard. Here's what the front and back yard looked like at the end of the day!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54841&size=1

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54840&size=1

I would be scared to operate the bobcat on such an incline.

Richard
10-08-2013, 12:46 PM
Nice little slope.
Are you going to terrace it?

I'm installing a retaining wall around the property so that my lot will be almost level with a 1% overall grade. Then I'm planting 60+ fruit trees and other edibles around the property.

I would be scared to operate the bobcat on such an incline.

I would have used my EX 8000 but the yard is too small. :)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54849

Richard
10-10-2013, 11:45 AM
Construction progress. Almost done with the "rip out the old" phase.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55695 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54849)

Richard
10-13-2013, 11:54 AM
The base of this palm tree had been encased in cement. We finished removing the cement and now the tree can come out. It was an 80 footer!

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

Richard
10-15-2013, 08:02 PM
While construction has been raging on the outside, I've been ripping up the inside too. Nearly every room has strips and squares of wallboard removed while I pull out the old (1960's) 2-wire electrical and install new wiring and circuits.

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

Richard
10-19-2013, 02:31 AM
With the aid of an industrial metal detector, I found the all-important metal stake marking the NE corner of my property.

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

jbyrd88888
10-19-2013, 08:23 AM
Hi, Richard
I would just like to wish you a easy-enough fun time with your awesome project and progress. I hope everything can work out to your obvious good appeal. Want to mention NC building and landscaping codes/rules are very lenient compared to what you have made me aware of in Cali :P Your house has a interesting roof/wall design for something built that old. . . . has anything been added-on?

Richard
10-19-2013, 01:01 PM
Hi, Richard
I would just like to wish you a easy-enough fun time with your awesome project and progress. I hope everything can work out to your obvious good appeal. Want to mention NC building and landscaping codes/rules are very lenient compared to what you have made me aware of in Cali :P Your house has a interesting roof/wall design for something built that old. . . . has anything been added-on?

In that photo of the living room, you can see the vaulted ceiling was artificially dropped (slopes down) to the right. That appears to have been done a few decades ago. Then about 10 years ago, the owner upgraded the kitchen, baths, and all the windows, plus built a 14' by 24' family room on top of an existing patio slab.

Richard
10-20-2013, 06:36 PM
Decades ago, someone foolishly installed a brick flower bed along the front of the house. When I bought the house this April, I knew I'd have remove it. The bricks were glued to the stucco and of course moisture moved through the bricks over the years and damaged the wall. Miraculously, the wood had no evidence of rot. Just to make sure, I sprayed it with Kocide. Here's the wall now with new paper and hardware cloth.

Also in this picture you can see damage on the left side of the roof where my new electric power line was routed. That will be patched next week. Over on the right side of the roof what looks like more damage is a palm tree frond -- left over from the tree I removed last week.

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

Richard
10-31-2013, 02:37 AM
Here's my draft of how I will plant out my bananas, veggies, fruit trees, and vines

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

merce3
10-31-2013, 07:54 AM
Nice layout. I am going to sketch up something similar for my yard in the spring so this is a good help

Abnshrek
10-31-2013, 08:34 AM
Nice layout. I am going to sketch up something similar for my yard in the spring so this is a good help

A Yard Diagram comes in handy.. :^)

bananimal
10-31-2013, 09:00 AM
Please list the tree names per the diagram locations?

Abnshrek
10-31-2013, 09:11 AM
Please list the tree names per the diagram locations?

Yeah, where's the key to the diagram.. :^)

servatusprime
10-31-2013, 09:38 AM
I'm a little jealous. I live in a neighborhood with HOA rules that wouldn't let me get away with something this elaborate. I have to tie everything into manicured landscaping format. I wish the rest of America would realize that a 100% grass lawn just isn't that great.

sunfish
10-31-2013, 03:41 PM
Here's my draft of how I will plant out my bananas, veggies, fruit trees, and vines

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

Tree 44 where are you

Richard
10-31-2013, 06:10 PM
Please list the tree names per the diagram locations?

That's the next step.

Tree 44 where are you

You solved the puzzle!

Kat2
10-31-2013, 09:20 PM
I'm a little jealous. I live in a neighborhood with HOA rules that wouldn't let me get away with something this elaborate. I have to tie everything into manicured landscaping format. I wish the rest of America would realize that a 100% grass lawn just isn't that great.I used to landscape at 3 HOAs in Ohio. Sadly not enough units had been sold so the builder was in charge; they were real sticklers. I colluded with homeowners who sneaked in all sorts of plants. (The restrictions were only front yards or areas visible from the street.) When the needed house to shed the builder at the largest development (280 houses the front yards I weeded biweekly) was sold, the residents began a planting frenzy. Roses, Iris, you name it. I wonder how many of those stupid daylilies are left?

You need to talk to others in your neighborhood--they might feel the same way you do.

Richard
11-28-2013, 03:46 PM
The stakes came marching one by one ... :ha:

Tomorrow a crew of workers with a lot more stakes will start work on 400 feet of retaining walls around the perimeter of my property. Some of it will be holding soil back -- as shown in the photo, but the majority of it will be holding soil in. There is a 150 foot section in the back yard that will range from 6 to 9 feet high!
:woohoonaner:

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

harveyc
11-30-2013, 03:07 AM
Hope you don't run out of energy with all of this, Richard. I'm running out of it myself.

Richard
11-30-2013, 02:22 PM
Here are the alignment posts for the lower left corner. These are not structural, but for reference of direction and incline.

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

Darkman
11-30-2013, 11:37 PM
Many photos of the retaining wall construction would be appreciated. Post, PM or e-mail. Nine feet of earth is a lot to hold back.

Richard
11-30-2013, 11:53 PM
Here are the guides on the lower right corner ...

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

Hammocked Banana
12-01-2013, 10:16 AM
The retaining wall is gunna be higher than the fence? Why?

Richard
12-01-2013, 04:27 PM
The retaining wall is gunna be higher than the fence? Why?

Nope. Those are for alignment only.

These are not structural, but for reference of direction and incline.

eddiemunozep
12-01-2013, 04:36 PM
In your first pic of your home there was a slope on the street side of the fencing, can you utilize that area too, like for bananas. ..warmth of the street. Etc..

Richard
12-01-2013, 05:13 PM
Here are the guides on the lower right corner ...

Here's an alternate view of that lower right corner. The retaining wall will be built along the left in the picture up to that corner, and then across to the right. The height at that corner will be about 1 foot short of the existing wooden fence at that corner. The majority of my property is not in this picture, it is to the right and behind the camera.

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

sunfish
12-01-2013, 06:07 PM
So the stakes are set 2' higher for a string line ?

Richard
12-01-2013, 06:40 PM
So the stakes are set 2' higher for a string line ?

Yes, the string line at that corner is about 5 feet above the where the new ground level will be. 95' away where it attaches in the right front corner it is only 3' above the existing ground level.

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

cincinnana
12-01-2013, 07:21 PM
How many yards of soil have you estimated to fill the gaps....150-450.??

Richard
12-01-2013, 09:08 PM
How many yards of soil have you estimated to fill the gaps....150-450.??

150-200 yds. :ha:

cincinnana
12-01-2013, 09:26 PM
Three of the most plentiful things on this good ol Earth I hate to pay money for are dirt, water and slab rock.
Then again, go figure, at times these are the only things we need.

Richard
12-01-2013, 10:07 PM
Three of the most plentiful things on this good ol Earth I hate to pay money for are dirt, water and slab rock.
Then again, go figure, at times these are the only things we need.

The dirt in this area is very good and there is a large construction project about 1 mile away that has excess. I will pay $50 per 25 cu.yds. delivered. :) Of course then its going to take two guys with a tractor about two days to move it into place and compact it. It could have been a lot worse.

momoese
12-01-2013, 11:06 PM
The dirt in this area is very good

"dirt" is vacant, dead, not alive.

"Soil" is alive, full of beneficial bacteria and micro organisms that break down organic matter making it available to plants.

Richard
12-01-2013, 11:45 PM
"dirt" is vacant, dead, not alive.

"Soil" is alive, full of beneficial bacteria and micro organisms that break down organic matter making it available to plants.

I agree. Truckloads of dirt will be deposited here. When I'm done applying treatments, it will be soil.
:0519:

Hammocked Banana
12-02-2013, 11:57 AM
Here's an alternate view of that lower right corner. The retaining wall will be built along the left in the picture up to that corner, and then across to the right. The height at that corner will be about 1 foot short of the existing wooden fence at that corner. The majority of my property is not in this picture, it is to the right and behind the camera.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55298&size=1

Wow so the soild line on your property is gunna be raised to the height of your neighbours shed/garage there? I can't wait to see what this looks like once the retaining walls are finished.

Richard
12-02-2013, 12:41 PM
Two tractors arrived this morning to begin excavation of footings and grading the property. :)

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

harveyc
12-02-2013, 08:34 PM
On the first day of my Soil Science 101 class in 1975 I was taught "dirt is soil out of place" (such as the dirt either my son or I tracked into the kitchen from outside). ;)

Richard, it looks like your big retaining wall is going to block out a lot of son from your neighbor's place. Are there any restrictions on that there in Vista? I guess it's not like blocking out the view of an ocean in Malibu or something like that.

Richard
12-02-2013, 09:08 PM
Richard, it looks like your big retaining wall is going to block out a lot of son from your neighbor's place. Are there any restrictions on that there in Vista? I guess it's not like blocking out the view of an ocean in Malibu or something like that.

My neighbor behind me is happy about the shade, and even happier that the view from inside my house and my neighbor to the north will no longer be into his backyard and rear windows.

Vista does have regulations and limitations on landscape walls, fences, etc. I picked a contractor on a first-name basis with the city planning department. He told them what I wanted to do and they gave us the requirements for not only the wall, but the grading and drainage system. We then had a draft-person produce drawings to that effect and had it permitted. The masons are now building according to those plans.

Today they dug out a trench for the footing of the rear wall. It is 52" wide and 20" deep.
:rollerbananadone:

Darkman
12-02-2013, 11:06 PM
SWEET!

Keep the pictures coming.

Thanks!

momoese
12-03-2013, 12:47 AM
I think an areal view (maybe Google Earth) would help to understand exactly what you're doing and how.

Richard
12-03-2013, 12:57 AM
I think an areal view (maybe Google Earth) would help to understand exactly what you're doing and how.

The Google Earth pictures show the home engulfed in trees. They have all been removed. Here is a drawing (shown earlier in this thread) of my landscape plans. At present, the property is somewhat level on the west (right) and along the house, then drops off in elevation to the east of the house (left) by 6 to 9 feet approaching the property line. The retaining wall I'm building runs along the N-S line on the east, and up both sides until current level is reached.

momoese
12-03-2013, 01:31 AM
How about some photos from a greater distance for more perspective.

Richard
12-03-2013, 03:12 AM
How about some photos from a greater distance for more perspective.

Fly your plane into Carlsbad Airport and lets go!

Richard
12-03-2013, 01:55 PM
Here's a look at the trench for the footing of the rear retaining wall. As of this morning, we're working on getting it down to level.

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

mm4birds
12-03-2013, 03:02 PM
Nice cliva miniata (kfir lilly). Try to save it

Richard
12-03-2013, 03:52 PM
Nice cliva miniata (kfir lilly). Try to save it

Actually, that is a young Cycad. :)

Richard
12-03-2013, 04:02 PM
Here is a view from the other end. In the upper far-right of the photo you see 1 window pane at the corner of my house. Behind (to the immediate left) of that is my neighbor's house to the south.

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

Darkman
12-03-2013, 05:14 PM
Are you accessing the back yard from your property?

lmswayne
12-03-2013, 07:02 PM
I want to move.

Richard
12-03-2013, 07:15 PM
Are you accessing the back yard from your property?

Yes. Here is a view from the street, looking down the left side. You can see the machine tracks going towards the rear. Also, you see one end of the rows of potted trees etc.

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

Walking forward in the photo above about 75 feet, you come to the excavation of the left rear corner. It goes down from the ground level at the camera location in 2 steps, reaching the corner 6 feet below. The tractor, not seen in these pictures is now working on the right side of the house.

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

trebor
12-03-2013, 09:46 PM
Its driving me crazy ! ha ha... I cant wait to see this when it's complete. I admit, I find myself being a bit jealous also. Being in South Florida and living on flat land has it's pros and drawbacks. But being involved watching someone crate their idea of a dream home is just plan awesome. :drum:

Richard
12-04-2013, 01:15 PM
The trench on the right side is complete. Meanwhile on the inside, the installation of central heat and air begins!

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

Richard
12-05-2013, 06:15 PM
The heat and A/C installation is complete and our house is warm!
:woohoonaner:

GreenFin
12-05-2013, 07:03 PM
Congrats on the progress!

Gotta love it when a plan comes together :08:
http://theeternalwarriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/I-Love-It-When-A-Plan-Comes-Together.jpg

Richard
12-06-2013, 11:39 PM
Form for concrete retaining wall on right (south) side of house.

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

momoese
12-07-2013, 01:35 AM
Form for concrete retaining wall on right (south) side of house.

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

Nice clouds!

Darkman
12-07-2013, 05:58 AM
Is that a hoop house to the side in your neighbors yard. Are they plant/fruit friendly?

Your neighbors probably don't have a clue as to how lucky they are to have you living next door.

Richard
12-07-2013, 03:50 PM
Is that a hoop house to the side in your neighbors yard. Are they plant/fruit friendly? ...

Yes, that is a hoop house and there are also about 10 fruiting plants on the property. The house is empty. The owner passed away 2 months before I moved in and his sons live in Seattle. They kept the gardener on contract and he comes by once per week to tend after the plants, pick fruit and vegetables, etc. He is quite amazed at what is going on next door!

jbyrd88888
12-08-2013, 04:46 PM
EDIT:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55335&size=1
^so that yellow truck has it's front tire Near walkway

Okay I see it more clear. Cool Understood.
People will be able to walk/drive down your road an get a piece of eye-candy through a 10' metal fence???

lmswayne
12-08-2013, 06:00 PM
That is quite a job you are doing. It's great watching it all happen. you work pretty fast.

Richard
12-09-2013, 12:16 AM
I'm having a hard time picturing this? Is your driveway on the west side(left side facing your home from road?) of your house?
^so that yellow truck must have it's front tire in the driveway?
Or your garage in the third picture?

My driveway:

is on the west side of house
is on the right when facing the home from the road
is so that the yellow truck has it's front tire in the driveway
is in the left portion of the third picture showing the concrete forms


In that picture showing the concrete forms, the bananas will go between that wall and the house.

harveyc
12-09-2013, 03:15 AM
Richard, I'm curious if you'll be growing any white sapote, feijoa, and dragonfruit at your new "digs".

Richard
12-09-2013, 11:30 AM
Richard, I'm curious if you'll be growing any white sapote, feijoa, and dragonfruit at your new "digs".

Yes :)
Among the 60 fruiting trees, shrubs, and vines in 25-gallon pots, waiting to be planted in the ground:
White Sapote "Suebelle"
Pineapple Guava (feijoa) "Nazemetz"
Dragonfruit "American Beauty"

bananimal
12-09-2013, 11:48 AM
How about cherimoya?

Richard
12-09-2013, 12:12 PM
How about cherimoya?

:ha:

No thanks, I'll skip the neurotoxins.

Abnshrek
12-09-2013, 12:18 PM
What types of banana's are you going to grow? :^)

Richard
12-09-2013, 01:04 PM
What types of banana's are you going to grow? :^)

Brazilian (non-dwarf)
Namwah (non-dwarf)
Pisang Ceylon
Banana from a temple in India

:woohoonaner:

eddiemunozep
12-09-2013, 01:10 PM
Neurotoxins.

My wife is cuban and they have been having soursop smoothies and cherimoya smoothies all her life and he family too.

Wait, that could explain why they are the way they are!!

I have read good and bad things regarding those things in the annonas.

I have 2 trees about 3 years old and 7 seedlings that just came up in September.

Eddie

jbyrd88888
12-09-2013, 04:34 PM
I am curious about your rain gutter p-stem combo? I'm sure you have thought of a support system once they get bigger? Bump/wind guard so the naners don't get bent or mess-up gutter and shingles ?

harveyc
12-09-2013, 05:44 PM
Yes :)
Among the 60 fruiting trees, shrubs, and vines in 25-gallon pots, waiting to be planted in the ground:
White Sapote "Suebelle"
Pineapple Guava (feijoa) "Nazemetz"
Dragonfruit "American Beauty"

You previously had the 'Lickver's Pride' feijoa. How did that perform for you? I don't have it yet, but should soon.

caliboy1994
12-09-2013, 06:34 PM
Neurotoxins.

My wife is cuban and they have been having soursop smoothies and cherimoya smoothies all her life and he family too.

Wait, that could explain why they are the way they are!!

I have read good and bad things regarding those things in the annonas.

I have 2 trees about 3 years old and 7 seedlings that just came up in September.

Eddie

I'd think it would be fine in moderation. :08:

Richard
12-09-2013, 08:22 PM
I'd think it (Cherimoya fruit) would be fine in moderation. :08:

Several years ago I calculated that 5 per year would be "safe" for an adult with no genetic pre-disposition for side effects. Above that, the dosage enters into an region of uncertainty depending how many years your consumption continues. At 21 per year (from fruit or juice) for 2 or more continuous years, you are in the 99 percentile for Atypical Parkinson's Disease symptoms.

You previously had the 'Lickver's Pride' feijoa. How did that perform for you? I don't have it yet, but should soon.

I really like that cultivar. It bears a little earlier and a little larger fruit than Nazemetz. I'd really like to get another but I don't currently have a source.

I am curious about your rain gutter p-stem combo? I'm sure you have thought of a support system once they get bigger? Bump/wind guard so the naners don't get bent or mess-up gutter and shingles ?

I've had some practice at this. Here's a picture of bananas growing at my former property in October 2010:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55383&size=1

Richard
12-10-2013, 02:06 PM
We're finished with replacing the entire electrical system and installation of central heating and air. Now the dry wall repair begins!

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

wolfyhound
12-10-2013, 05:37 PM
How did you leave all those huge bananas behind? I would cry.

Richard
12-10-2013, 09:43 PM
How did you leave all those huge bananas behind? I would cry.

Well, of course they are large up to the point of fruiting, then when the fruit is ready to pick the entire plant is cut down and a pup is allowed to grow for next year's crop.

I think the hard part was leaving behind the half-raised bed that Tony helped build, along with the massive corms that had to be pruned on a regular basis.

I will rebuild it here. Hopefully I can take a similar picture in 2 years' time.

wolfyhound
12-10-2013, 10:01 PM
Well true. I guess bananas make it easier. Another reason to love banana plants.

Abnshrek
12-10-2013, 10:22 PM
Well, of course they are large up to the point of fruiting, then when the fruit is ready to pick the entire plant is cut down and a pup is allowed to grow for next year's crop.

I think the hard part was leaving behind the half-raised bed that Tony helped build, along with the massive corms that had to be pruned on a regular basis.

I will rebuild it here. Hopefully I can take a similar picture in 2 years' time.

Corm power once achieved is a wonderful and beautiful thing.. :^)

Richard
12-10-2013, 11:35 PM
We decided to enlarge the master bath by stealing space from the closet -- so at the moment we have a room with a view!

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

Richard
12-11-2013, 10:28 PM
We also wanted more light in the kitchen and bedrooms, so we cut 3 new holes in the exterior walls
:woohoonaner:
Here's the new kitchen window
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55695

and the new trapezoidal windows for the north bedrooms
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55695

wolfyhound
12-12-2013, 12:01 AM
The new odd-shaped windows picture looks like it needs the caption of "Worried house is worried."

harveyc
12-12-2013, 12:19 PM
Richard, are you living in the home while all this work is going on??

Richard
12-12-2013, 09:07 PM
Richard, are you living in the home while all this work is going on??

Yes - Gabriela, Littlefoot, I, and the six cases of wine I bought during BevMo's half off sale this summer!

The new odd-shaped windows picture looks like it needs the caption of "Worried house is worried."

That small object on the wall centered between the windows but near the ground level is an electrical outlet box. I'm debating putting some kind of "nose" above it to make the picture complete!

The slope on the top edge of the windows is slightly greater than the roof slope BUT it is a very good match to the slope of the ceiling on the interior walls:

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

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

Richard
12-14-2013, 10:09 PM
The interior walls are now all patched and texturized, so now it's time to think about COLORS!!

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

sunfish
12-14-2013, 10:32 PM
The interior walls are now all patched and texturized, so now it's time to think about COLORS!!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55401&size=1

That's the most difficult part

Richard
12-14-2013, 11:00 PM
That's the most difficult part

... and after testing 21 quart sample cans of paint on the walls yesterday, we picked 7 colors to use:
Living Room (light yellow)
Kitchen (sky blue)
1st bedroom (leaf stem green)
1st bath (white with hint of blue)
2nd bedroom (not too burnt orange)
Master bedroom (a shade of lavender)
Master bath (light blue)
:woohoonaner:

Richard
12-18-2013, 03:00 AM
Here's the upgraded version of my house plans (click, and then click again to enlarge):

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

lmswayne
12-18-2013, 08:47 AM
wow! how long will all that take?

harveyc
12-18-2013, 10:41 AM
I notice you have Lickver's Pride on your map? Have you found a source? If so, do you think that the source would ship one to me?

Richard
12-18-2013, 10:50 AM
I notice you have Lickver's Pride on your map? Have you found a source? If so, do you think that the source would ship one to me?

I haven't selected a source, but I know several places to go looking. The same is true for the green sapote.

wow! how long will all that take?

Yesterday afternoon there was 1 pump truck, 4 truckloads of cement, and a crew of five guys who completed the installation of footings around the property.

Today is clean-up day from the pour, and tomorrow a several pallets of masonry brick etc. arrive. Starting Friday, the installation of the retaining walls on top of the footings begins. That plus a whole lot of grading (back-filling the walls and leveling soil around the property) might be finished by New Year's.

Then it will be time to dig trenches for irrigation, followed by installation of the trees. My guess is that we'll be done by Valentine's Day at the earliest. :)

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

harveyc
12-18-2013, 05:32 PM
Moving that much soil around, etc., have you given any consideration of a true "man cave"? :) I'd probably have one myself if it weren't for my very high water table.

Niko43
12-18-2013, 10:39 PM
Thanks for the BB's Richard

Richard
12-19-2013, 03:08 AM
Here's an update

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

bananimal
12-19-2013, 08:42 AM
Richard --- did you xplant the Minnie Royal and Royal Lee cherries from the old house?

Richard
12-19-2013, 10:55 AM
Richard --- did you xplant the Minnie Royal and Royal Lee cherries from the old house?

Nope -- last year when I shut down the plant-selling side of my business I saved one each of "my favorites". These were mostly in 5-gallon pots. I then moved them to my rental house for a few months, then here to Vista where they were moved into 25-gallon pots. About a dozen of the plants you see on the map I no longer had in stock. This included most of the Citrus which I purchased directly from Durling's last summer, plus a few more outliers that I've been picking up as a find them. I still need to obtain Gold Manukka, Lickver's Pride, about 4 blueberry plants, the white seedless Mulberry, Snow Queen, Easy Going; plus the Green Sapote which I've never owned. Some of these I'll pick up bareroot in the coming weeks and the remainder I hope to have by end of spring.
:woohoonaner:

harveyc
12-19-2013, 11:44 AM
Richard, I don't know if you would like to try experimenting or not, but I believe Leo Manuel has a green sapote grafted onto a Giant Fuyu. Maybe it was black on giant, but I don't believe so. I was surprised to see that they were compatible.

lmswayne
12-20-2013, 10:10 AM
Are you to stop for Christmas break or keep on digging on. I cant believe how much you have done in such a short time. thanks for keeping us up dated. It's pretty cool to watch.

Richard
12-21-2013, 12:14 PM
Are you to stop for Christmas break or keep on digging on. I cant believe how much you have done in such a short time. thanks for keeping us up dated. It's pretty cool to watch.

I'm taking a break to visit with my inlaws in Redding CA, but a team of masons are busy at my home installing 16 pallets of split-face block around the perimeter of the property.
:woohoonaner:

Richard
12-23-2013, 05:22 PM
wall progress

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

wolfyhound
12-23-2013, 06:27 PM
So hard to imagine how many tons of force that wall will be holding back!

momoese
12-23-2013, 07:08 PM
So hard to imagine how many tons of force that wall will be holding back!

I walk a lot of dogs in Cheviot Hills and see a lot of retaining walls like this leaning over and breaking apart.

In new housing tracts they use some sort of interlocking pieces that seem to work good.

Is it just going to that single row of cinder block Richard?

sunfish
12-23-2013, 07:36 PM
rebar and cement

Darkman
12-23-2013, 07:37 PM
wall progress

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55474&size=1

Hi Richard and thanks for the updates.

Is that 8" or 12" thick? Are they setting back each course some or are they vertical?

I do not see any deadmen and that wall is over five feet already. Surely there will be some.

How often will you be compacting? Every 12"?

I also did not see any rebar coming up from the footers to tie the walls to the footer. Are they installing those?

The wall is a solid fill?

Richard
12-23-2013, 07:52 PM
... Is it just going to that single row of cinder block Richard?

That block is 10" wide, with 2 runs of 1 1/4" rebar in every row. The total height of the wall when viewed from the property behind me is 5'4", but from the footing is 6'8". Notice in the footing to the left of the corner there is a 6" drain pipe going under the wall. This will be continued all the way to the street side of the property behind me. That drain pipe will be fed by two sets of french drain pipe running behind the wall, one at the base and another 1' from the top. Also behind the wall spanning the entire vertical distance there will be a 1' thick layer of gravel which in turn is backed by geotech fabric as a barrier to soil.

Behind that wall, there is another wall set back 5' from the rear and side external walls! It is built on a footing embedded in the backfill of the first. It ranges in height from 3' to 1' moving from S to N. This insures that the grade of the property is more or less level from S to N. The entire structure is guaranteed by the contractor through my ownership of the house -- and yes, he knows this is my retirement home. :)

Here's an updated drawing of the situation. You can click on it once, and then again to get a higher resolution:

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

GreenFin
12-23-2013, 07:57 PM
IMy guess is that we'll be done by Valentine's Day at the earliest. :)
Fitting completion date for a labor of love.

Richard
12-23-2013, 08:25 PM
I do not see any deadmen and that wall is over five feet already. Surely there will be some.

No, the highest level is below the requirement for deadmen. Of course you and I know what that means, imagine what a construction novice might think.
:ha: :0493:

Seriously though, the footing on the main wall is 52" wide and 16" thick, with lateral and vertical rebar.

How often will you be compacting? Every 12"?

Yes, eight feet back of both rear walls. Of course, I'll be excavating after that to plant the fruits shown on the map. The design accounts for water-loading.

I also did not see any rebar coming up from the footers to tie the walls to the footer. Are they installing those?

Yes, that picture is showing the top level of the rear wall so you don't see the tops of the vertical rebar coming up from the footing.

The wall is a solid fill?

You bet, and we are using a high-power cement pump because the cement itself contains 3/8" rock.

:woohoonaner:

Darkman
12-23-2013, 08:51 PM
That's sweet Richard and the secondary wall is the defacto deadmen.

I don't foresee you every having to file a claim.

Awesome Christmas present.

Mine last year was the mid way point of my waterfall.


I hope in retirement I make it to the West coast. I'd like to see this in person!

Very Sweet!

Thanks for the images.

sunfish
12-23-2013, 09:04 PM
I don't think it would stand long without rebar and concrete. Gee whats a deadman

Richard
12-23-2013, 09:35 PM
You and I together in person?! Now that's a party!

Tell you what -- I offer you a race ... I go visiting in FL vs. you go visiting in CA !!


That's sweet Richard and the secondary wall is the defacto deadmen.

I don't foresee you every having to file a claim.

Awesome Christmas present.

Mine last year was the mid way point of my waterfall.


I hope in retirement I make it to the West coast. I'd like to see this in person!

Very Sweet!

Thanks for the images.

wolfyhound
12-23-2013, 09:55 PM
Just don't do it at the same time or you'll miss each other!

Richard
12-24-2013, 03:04 PM
I updated the image of the wall progress to show the location of the 6" drain diving under the structure.

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

Richard
12-28-2013, 09:47 PM
Today I moved all my plants to the future patio area so that grading could begin on the property.

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

Richard
12-30-2013, 01:32 PM
Today a local inspector came by to check out the progress. Also, a team is here painting the interior.
:woohoonaner:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55501&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55501)

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

trebor
12-30-2013, 02:28 PM
Your local inspector resembles the tomato inspectors I had here this week!

Richard
01-01-2014, 08:16 PM
Here's a picture of my front yard as seen from my driveway this morning.

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

Darkman
01-03-2014, 11:07 AM
Keep those pics coming!

Really enjoy seeing your progress.

I wish I could get some inspectors like that. They are around but I rarely see them perched.

Richard
01-04-2014, 01:08 AM
The interior painting has been completed. I still have to remount some fixtures and vents, plus install a cabinet here and there. Now the focus is on the outside. The city inspector (the person) comes on Monday to check out the perimeter walls. If they pass inspection then we can start grading the property.

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

kubali
01-04-2014, 10:57 AM
The interior painting has been completed. I still have to remount some fixtures and vents, plus install a cabinet here and there. Now the focus is on the outside. The city inspector (the person) comes on Monday to check out the perimeter walls. If they pass inspection then we can start grading the property.

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

Looking really nice Richard, Love them beautiful hardwood floors.
Wont be long before your snuggled in for good.

lmswayne
01-06-2014, 05:46 PM
Wow Richard, I have been off line most of the last two weeks I can't believe the progress you have made. I love the photos. Thanks.
Linda

Richard
01-06-2014, 11:44 PM
Thank you everyone for the http://www.bananas.org/images/buttons/post_thanks.gif and the encouragement!

Today the official city inspector came and checked the wall. It passed and so an hour later we filled it with 3000psi test cement. Later this week it's going to get a moisture seal on the inside, followed by a backing of gravel and geotech fabric along with some drains, and backfill with dirt -- save one area where the drain will be inspected.
:woohoonaner:

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

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

trebor
01-07-2014, 12:16 AM
Thank you everyone for the http://www.bananas.org/images/buttons/post_thanks.gif and the encouragement!

Today the official city inspector came and checked the wall. It passed and so an hour later we filled it with 3000psi test cement. Later this week it's going to get a moisture seal on the inside, followed by a backing of gravel and geotech fabric along with some drains, and backfill with dirt -- save one area where the drain will be inspected.
:woohoonaner:



Now you have me wondering what product they chose to use as a Moisture seal on the wall itself ? :-) ?

Richard
01-07-2014, 01:15 AM
Now you have me wondering what product they chose to use as a Moisture seal on the wall itself ? :-) ?

There'll be some empty barrels of it around here on Wednesday. I'll check.

Richard
01-08-2014, 04:27 PM
Now you have me wondering what product they chose to use as a Moisture seal on the wall itself ? :-) ?

Henry's Asphalt Emulsion.

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

Richard
01-10-2014, 11:37 PM
Today we backfilled the perimeter wall and graded the property. Tomorrow (Saturday) we install the second retaining wall. Here's a look at the progress as of mid-afternoon.

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

trebor
01-11-2014, 10:30 AM
Remember Im a Florida guy were all flatlanders..
I see the wall has steps decreasing the height. Is that in place to allow for drainage/run off ?
Man Id be in a tizzy to get something in the ground :ha:
Then are you going to use some type of irrigation or just go natural .. And finally can a well be dug where your at? ha ha I know questions questions questions..

Richard
01-11-2014, 11:55 AM
Remember Im a Florida guy were all flatlanders..

I've read somewhere that the highest natural elevation of land in the Florida peninsula is 13' above sea level.

I see the wall has steps decreasing the height. Is that in place to allow for drainage/run off ?

Nope, it's because the City of Vista planning department decided that the perimeter retaining wall can only be 5' 4" above grade of adjacent property -- unless I built something equivalent to the foundation for a 10-story building.

No worries, they are permitting a second retaining wall placed 5 feet horizontally behind the first which will bring the entire back property up to grade.

Man Id be in a tizzy to get something in the ground :ha:

Me too! :2783:

Then are you going to use some type of irrigation or just go natural

The typical annual rainfall is 7 inches :0493:

And finally can a well be dug where your at?

There's an artesian freshwater source about 1000' down but it's not worth the cost.

trebor
01-11-2014, 12:10 PM
There's an artesian freshwater source about 1000' down but it's not worth the cost.
Haaa thats almost 1/4 mile deep. I can see how a well is not on the things to do list there. .. Well it all looks great...

Richard
01-11-2014, 12:33 PM
Shown below is the side yard as of this morning, along with an updated schematic. When I took the photo, I was standing on the rear perimeter wall about where the Youngberries will be planted.

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

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

wolfyhound
01-11-2014, 12:56 PM
That's a freaking amazing difference!

Richard
01-13-2014, 09:50 PM
Some of you might have noticed on my map an "Easy Going" Rose. It's something I just couldn't do without since it was my wife's favorite. Two rooted cuttings of the plant arrived today, which I potted up in these 12" color pots.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55570&size=1

crazy banana
01-13-2014, 11:26 PM
Some of you might have noticed on my map an "Easy Going" Rose. It's something I just couldn't do without since it was my wife's favorite. Two rooted cuttings of the plant arrived today, which I potted up in these 12" color pots.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55570&size=1

Had to look that one up. Love the peach color.

Richard
01-14-2014, 12:39 PM
This morning we're digging the trench for the drain pipe that runs under my rear retaining wall, through my neighbor's yard, and out to the street in front of his house.

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

Funkthulhu
01-14-2014, 01:01 PM
How's the neighbor feel about that?

Richard
01-14-2014, 01:07 PM
How's the neighbor feel about that?

In order to build the wall in the first place, I had to get written permission from the neighbor. He's very happy about it for several reasons: he's got a new rear wall where some broken boards previously stood, he's got a drainage system in his yard where none were before, and he didn't have to pay a dime for it!

sunfish
01-14-2014, 01:37 PM
In order to build the wall in the first place, I had to get written permission from the neighbor. He's very happy about it for several reasons: he's got a new rear wall where some broken boards previously stood, he's got a drainage system in his yard where none were before, and he didn't have to pay a dime for it!

You can't just dig through someones property without their approval ?

Richard
01-15-2014, 08:31 PM
You can't just dig through someones property without their approval ?

Gophers do it all the time!

http://www.back9network.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Gopher_Caddyshack_Feature1-482x445.jpg (http://www.back9network.com/article/awesome-caddyshack-gifs/)

Richard
01-16-2014, 01:30 PM
What trench?! :ha:

Nearly all the evidence of that drain pipe is gone! The pipe has been buried, the neighbor's property graded, and what remains are those two white vertical pipe standards. They will be cut off just below grade (ground) level and mesh drains placed on top.

:woohoonaner:

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

lmswayne
01-16-2014, 05:47 PM
I look forward to your photos every time I turn on my computer thank's You work fast man when did you first post this Sept or Oct.

Richard
01-16-2014, 06:31 PM
I look forward to your photos every time I turn on my computer thank's You work fast man when did you first post this Sept or Oct.

April 29, 2013.
:woohoonaner:

Richard
01-16-2014, 09:08 PM
Today I went shopping for bare root plants that I have on my garden plan, but not in my possession. I went to Green Thumb Nursery in San Marcos, and came home with Flavor Grenade Pluot (to pollinate my Peacotum), Black Mulberry (Moris nigra), and Black Satin Blackberry.

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

Richard
01-18-2014, 03:19 PM
The footing for the second wall has been dug and poured. Today the key was removed and as of noon they were laying down the 1st course of block.
:woohoonaner:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55695

Lawler
01-19-2014, 11:44 PM
Have gone through all 9 pages and just amazes me how we little ants on earth can affect/change the landscape to such a degree and in so <relatively> little time.
Congrats on the work! ...and coming along in time for spring!

amantedelenguaje
01-20-2014, 10:17 PM
I saw your pics of fruit fuel. Are you going to use all that or sell it? If I recall correctly, the acreage of the land you are on is not that large. How are you going to get enough light to all the plants in your yard blueprint. Will they not start shading each other? Your project is impressive. Perhaps one day I can do the same.

Richard
01-20-2014, 10:39 PM
I saw your pics of fruit fuel. Are you going to use all that or sell it?
Grow More 16-8-24 Fruit Fuel, 5-pound bag (http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/gm-16-8-24-ff-5lb.html)
Grow More 16-8-24 Fruit Fuel, 25-pound bag (http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/gm-16-8-24-ff-25lb.html)
If I recall correctly, the acreage of the land you are on is not that large. How are you going to get enough light to all the plants in your yard blueprint. Will they not start shading each other?
I'm allowing a 10'x10' area per tree. Have pruning book, will travel.
Your project is impressive. Perhaps one day I can do the same.

Thanks, I hope you do!
:woohoonaner:

lmswayne
01-21-2014, 05:40 PM
wow!

Richard
01-21-2014, 06:12 PM
Inside my house, in what a real-estate person would call the breakfast nook, I'm installing a cabinet. The surface will be for food preparation and especially baking projects. The cabinet is large enough to hold all my cooking toys!

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

lmswayne
01-21-2014, 06:26 PM
you are full of surprises. I love to bake and cook. I again love your pick's. You are a hard worker fast to. All of this done form April 13 to Janof14 . Do you contract out. lol:ha: How far is Seattle from there? :ha::ha::ha::ha:

Richard
01-21-2014, 07:47 PM
you are full of surprises. I love to bake and cook. I again love your pick's. You are a hard worker fast to. All of this done form April 13 to Janof14 . Do you contract out. lol:ha: How far is Seattle from there? :ha::ha::ha::ha:

Thanks Linda!

For the work to date, I am not the worker. When I first bought the home I had all the over-grown vegetation cleared and then hired a surveyor to find the corner markers of the property. I then asked him for a recommendation on a general contractor for the many renovations to the home. The guy he recommended has done great work at a fair price. He has built many homes and small commercial buildings in the area and all the workers he utilizes live within a few miles of my house.

Soon it will be time for my work: installing irrigation, planters, and trees. I'm looking forward to it!
:woohoonaner:

Darkman
01-21-2014, 11:11 PM
I almost dissapointed that this is coming to an end. I really look forward to seeing your progress.

BUT

I know you will be sending some incredible planting pics too!

Me I actually planted two Persimmons. A Saijo and a Makawajiro.

lmswayne
01-22-2014, 10:59 AM
dream house and garden. we all have the dream but most not the space. We are living vicariously through you. What a great project I can't wait to see the plants in.

bananimal
01-22-2014, 11:02 AM
dream house and garden. we all have the dream but most not the space. We are living vicariously through you. What a great project I can't wait to see the plants in.

MEE TOO!

trebor
01-22-2014, 11:06 PM
I will agree this has been an exciting journey! Great pictures and when the planting is done some of us might even celebrate:nanadrink:
I can only imagine Richard is going to grinning when he places shovel in hand and puts the hose to his first transplant. Ya can't get really entertaining stuff like this in too many places.

Richard
01-23-2014, 02:52 PM
Yesterday afternoon the construction of the 2nd retaining wall was completed. In this photo you see the 2nd wall and on the left 2 workers cementing caps on the top of the perimeter wall behind it. Later today the 2nd wall will be cement filled, caps placed on it, and my rear patio poured as well.

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

Richard
01-24-2014, 01:10 AM
Details, details ... like hose faucets :)

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

Richard
01-25-2014, 03:37 PM
Today the crews are grading the front of the property and building forms for the concrete driveway, stairway, and front walkway.

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

trebor
01-26-2014, 08:40 AM
Hmmm... Every time I see a pile of pallots I start to see planters ,barriers , my mind goes into what could I build for free out of that wood.. I've used them for BBQ chips, plant stakes, floors under rabbit cages, hanging planters... Its free wood! Who don't like free wood! Even cut out numbers for the front of a friends house once. Made a weird play car fir kids. Plant borders. Chicken walk ramp. Just seeing them in this picture I can smell the wood as I cut it. Most of them are Oak ! Oak smells nice.. Oh and those little nails they use to nail them together . You can reuse them also. Some of them are nice and shiney!

Richard
01-26-2014, 10:20 AM
Hmmm... Every time I see a pile of pallots I start to see planters ,barriers , my mind goes into what could I build for free out of that wood.. I've used them for BBQ chips, plant stakes, floors under rabbit cages, hanging planters... Its free wood! Who don't like free wood! Even cut out numbers for the front of a friends house once. Made a weird play car fir kids. Plant borders. Chicken walk ramp. Just seeing them in this picture I can smell the wood as I cut it. Most of them are Oak ! Oak smells nice.. Oh and those little nails they use to nail them together . You can reuse them also. Some of them are nice and shiney!

When construction material is delivered by the pallet here, you also pay a $15 to $25 deposit per pallet. All the pallets you see in the photo will be returned to the company by the contractor.

Richard
01-29-2014, 06:09 PM
New driveway, stairs, and walkway. Next week: new fences and stucco on the house exterior.
:woohoonaner:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55695

amantedelenguaje
01-29-2014, 07:18 PM
Wow! Moving right along. I can't wait to see the finished product.

lmswayne
01-30-2014, 05:37 PM
me to! this project has kept most of us entertained all winter and we thank you Richard!

Richard
02-10-2014, 06:08 PM
This afternoon I noticed a migrating hawk that stopped by for a visit on a neighboring telephone poll about 100 feet away. Not a bad photo for an iphone camera!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55688&size=1

Richard
02-14-2014, 01:40 PM
The auxiliary cabinet for my kitchen is complete
:woohoonaner:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55695

lmswayne
02-16-2014, 04:12 PM
The auxiliary cabinet for my kitchen is complete
:woohoonaner:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55709&size=1

nice! good view to look at while working.

bengal tiger nanas
02-16-2014, 07:32 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55714&size=1This afternoon I noticed a migrating hawk that stopped by for a visit on a neighboring telephone poll about 100 feet away. Not a bad photo for an iphone camera!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55688&size=1

thanks richard, this one has been around here for a couple years. hope he stays, in this pic he had a squirrel. hope he is liking the rabbits too. thanks don

Richard
02-26-2014, 01:33 PM
This morning the block for my new raised beds arrived. :08:

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

Richard
02-28-2014, 06:12 PM
One of 4 piles of fence boards that arrived in the rain today.

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

Lemmysports
03-07-2014, 05:37 PM
Hmmm... Every time I see a pile of pallots I start to see planters ,barriers , my mind goes into what could I build for free out of that wood.. I've used them for BBQ chips, plant stakes, floors under rabbit cages, hanging planters... Its free wood! Who don't like free wood! Even cut out numbers for the front of a friends house once. Made a weird play car fir kids. Plant borders. Chicken walk ramp. Just seeing them in this picture I can smell the wood as I cut it. Most of them are Oak ! Oak smells nice.. Oh and those little nails they use to nail them together . You can reuse them also. Some of them are nice and shiney!

Trebor,

Please be careful using pallets for BBQ chips, or raised beds (assuming it is an edible garden.) Some pallets may be treated with chemicals, or come in contact with other dangerous substances. It doesn't always matter where they came from either, since many pallets are recycled and rebuilt several times.

I agree with you that they can be an awesome free resource (I use them quite a bit), just be careful!



Oh and Richard, I'm jealous! :)

Richard
03-09-2014, 08:11 PM
Yesterday the workers finished the perimeter fencing :) I have disbanded the "island" of trees, moving them to the locations where they will be planted. In the back yard, I'm making preparations to build raised beds.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54975&size=1

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

bananimal
03-09-2014, 08:28 PM
Nice to see you have some larger trees to plant. My avocado and the Cogshall mango were 30 and 25 gal and I'm getting lots of fruit sooner than later.

wolfyhound
03-09-2014, 08:49 PM
So exciting!! Will you be digging all those holes by hand or using some equipment?

Richard
03-09-2014, 09:12 PM
So exciting!! Will you be digging all those holes by hand or using some equipment?

It's unlikely that I'll use my bare hands :ha: I think in most places the soil is easy enough to dig with shovel. There's one spot that still has some large tree roots running through it, but otherwise I'll probably be ok.

GreenFin
03-09-2014, 10:20 PM
Looking great!

Hopefully before long we're going to start being treated to some outstanding "daily harvest" pics :)

Richard
03-12-2014, 09:16 PM
I was going to put my bananas adjacent to the south fence of of the property. But the extent of the shadow cast by the fence is too much. So instead I'm putting them across from the fence. I'll build two 4' x 10' planter beds and place them about 1 foot away from the house foundation.

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

bananimal
03-12-2014, 10:08 PM
That fence is 6 ft picket on the south side, right?

Richard
03-12-2014, 11:07 PM
That fence is 6 ft picket on the south side, right?

Almost: it's 5-ft boards on poles embedded in an 8" high curb. If I put the bed alongside the fence, then direct sunlight will only hit growth 4' or higher this time of year. But adjacent to the house, sunlight is at the ground level from an hour after sunrise to an hour before sunset.

trebor
03-14-2014, 08:39 AM
I know you have every square inch spoken for .. BUT that’s the perfect place for Papaya. Close to the house, good and hot :)

Richard
03-14-2014, 10:35 AM
I know you have every square inch spoken for .. BUT that’s the perfect place for Papaya. Close to the house, good and hot :)

I think you're right. Papaya only worked ok at my old house, but it might thrive here. And just to the left of where I'm standing in that photo there is room for one more ...

mm4birds
03-14-2014, 10:49 AM
Always Room For "one" More.

Richard
03-14-2014, 11:06 AM
Always Room For "one" More.

One more ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-11OuXvpvw

Richard
03-15-2014, 06:17 PM
Here's the layout for a small patio I plan to build in the front yard

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

Kat2
03-15-2014, 06:36 PM
I'd invest in some fancier chairs but that's just me.

Richard
03-16-2014, 12:09 AM
I'd invest in some fancier chairs but that's just me.

Pretty good for place holders don't you think?

Richard
03-16-2014, 05:47 PM
Today I went digging for the copper water pipe that runs diagonally from the street meter on the NW corner of the property over to the house. After a few feet of trenching, I found it! Next I'm going to splice into it and establish outdoor faucets and irrigation.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55298&size=1

wolfyhound
03-16-2014, 08:19 PM
So much progress!! I have to run water to my backyard too but mine is super easy(in theory).

lmswayne
03-17-2014, 03:38 PM
Thank you Richard I look forward to your updates your place looks great I will be sorry when it ends. I bet when you get that last plant in you will be doing a happy dance :08: I know I would.

Richard
03-17-2014, 04:00 PM
Thank you Richard I look forward to your updates your place looks great I will be sorry when it ends. I bet when you get that last plant in you will be doing a happy dance :08: I know I would.

Open house party for sure!

Kat2
03-17-2014, 05:07 PM
Open house party for sure!Cool. You do know that you're in charge of checking air fares and also sneaking clippings into carry on bags? No citrus for me but most everything else is fair game, right?

Richard
03-17-2014, 07:46 PM
Cool. You do know that you're in charge of checking air fares and also sneaking clippings into carry on bags? No citrus for me but most everything else is fair game, right?

I thought you'd ride your bicycle.

Richard
03-21-2014, 07:57 PM
Here's the completed form for my front patio. We'll pour it sometime this weekend.

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

crazy banana
03-30-2014, 06:36 PM
I have visited Richard today to pick up my Fruit Fuel. All these photos on here do not show enough what an amazing job he has done so far with his house and the yard. Unbelievable!
So much work and well thought through. So inspiring, but first I need to buy a bigger house with lots of acreage. Thank you so much Richard for the great tour.

Worm_Farmer
03-30-2014, 06:46 PM
Your dirt looks like its hard and compacted. I thought you once said that you were going to put all of these plants into the ground at some point. I guess my question is, Is this type of dirt hard to deal with?

Richard
03-30-2014, 07:04 PM
Your dirt looks like its hard and compacted. I thought you once said that you were going to put all of these plants into the ground at some point. I guess my question is, Is this type of dirt hard to deal with?

There's layers here. In the front and side yards there is about 4 inches of decomposed granite (DG) which was brought in during grading of the property. In the rear there is a lot more - 5' to 10' deep. Under the DG is 3" to 5" of clay and organics which are residues from agriculture that thrived here 100 years ago. Under that is about 2 inches of native loamy clay which doesn't drain entirely well but is nothing you could make bricks out of. Below that is many yards of native DG all the way down to bedrock -- probably about 40' down.

The soils here are compacted from the equipment (mostly Bobcat tractors) used to transport brick, materials, and soils during construction. I've been digging down into it, not only for my water pipe (shown previously) but also for the construction of raised beds. Compared to my previous property in Rancho Penasquitos it's a real pleasure.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55799&size=1

Darkman
04-11-2014, 03:29 PM
Truely an amazing project! I need to get my butt busyier!!!!!

Mango7
04-13-2014, 03:03 PM
Congrats, Richard. I too am starting a new chapter after divorce. I just ordered a bunch of Sikki seeds and plants and am excited to grow them as a privacy screen...that's if I can get them to grow well! Will photo if they ever do.. TC,

Kurt

Richard
04-15-2014, 07:39 PM
Here's my completed front patio with some of Kat2's favorite furniture. :ha:
I will build a path starting at the front gate in the top right of the picture, going along the diagonal side of the patio, then continuing into the back yard. But for the immediate future, I will start digging holes to plant trees and shrubs.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55502&size=1

Richard
04-16-2014, 07:55 PM
The holes they came a one by one ...

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55850&size=1

Hammocked Banana
04-16-2014, 08:45 PM
Coming along fast! Do u plan on planting grass on your yard between plants or just mulch?

Richard
04-16-2014, 09:41 PM
Coming along fast! Do u plan on planting grass on your yard between plants or just mulch?

Just mulch and a few paths.

Richard
04-19-2014, 10:49 PM
I'm currently tracking the shipment of a rototiller from TUPELO, MS 38803 to my home in Vista CA. It's scheduled to arrive sometime on or before 4/24/2014.

Richard
04-19-2014, 11:36 PM
Here's the portfolio of tools I've assembled to construct the 7 new raised beds. Work begins in earnest Sunday 4/20/2014.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55862&size=1

trebor
04-20-2014, 09:34 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55869 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55761&ppuser=7970)

Richard
04-21-2014, 09:05 PM
Trebor ... be careful of the trenches :eek:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55778&size=1

Kat2
04-21-2014, 09:39 PM
Here's my completed front patio with some of Kat2's favorite furniture. :ha:
I've been quietly waiting to see something besides my "favorite furniture" on the patio along with some great plants beside it. Tapping silently for a few days...just show me!

Richard
04-22-2014, 06:21 PM
Today I removed one of two 10" diameter tree stumps from under my kitchen window. I had to bring my Maul out from retirement to get the job done! Fortunately, none of the roots were into or under the house foundation. Tomorrow I'll remove the other one. Whew!

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

Hammocked Banana
04-22-2014, 10:00 PM
I recently removed 2 old cedar trees from beside my house so that I could plant some dwarf apples. Was no easy task!

Richard
04-23-2014, 08:10 PM
The second stump turned out to be larger and more stubborn than the 1st! Hopefully I'll finish up tomorrow.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54840&size=1

Abnshrek
04-23-2014, 08:18 PM
The second stump turned out to be larger and more stubborn than the 1st! Hopefully I'll finish up tomorrow.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54840&size=1

Them 4-wheel drives that home Depot rents for $75 an hour and a chain does wonders it there isn't anything in the ground nearby.. :^)

Richard
04-23-2014, 08:26 PM
Them 4-wheel drives that home Depot rents for $75 an hour and a chain does wonders it there isn't anything in the ground nearby.. :^)

Well, I do have a come-along and not too far off to the left under the fence there is a Bobcat doing work next door. But I'd first like to make sure I'm not going to yank out a section of my house foundation.
:ha:

Abnshrek
04-23-2014, 08:30 PM
Well, I do have a come-along and not too far off to the left under the fence there is a Bobcat doing work next door. But I'd first like to make sure I'm not going to yank out a section of my house foundation.
:ha:

Well dulling a chainsaw blade is a cheap fix for that.. Just need Goggles.. lol :^)

Richard
04-24-2014, 04:40 PM
I'm glad I took the surgical approach to removing that stump. As it turned out, there were two 3" diameter roots invading the foundation of the adjacent walls. After getting it out, I was going to mail it to Abnshrek but it wouldn't fit in the post box.
:ha:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55879&size=1

Pancrazio
04-24-2014, 08:18 PM
Richards, as someone who almost fainted removing a stump just about a quarter the size of your i must say that I'm impressed. Good job!

Richard
04-24-2014, 09:50 PM
In addition to getting the stump out, I also had a branch pipe installed into my main water line for irrigation.
:woohoonaner:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53909&size=1

Kat2
04-25-2014, 04:28 PM
In addition to getting the stump out, I also had a branch pipe installed into my main water line for irrigation.
:woohoonaner:Not my house but I'm ready to go buy an adjustable sprinkler; my plants are dying and I'm having issues using the well and finding a hose hooked to city water with an attachment that doesn't beat down my seedlings.

Sprinkler, folks. Gentle shower in the early morning and evening (midday if things are croaking.) I've spent just over a year in FL and I already knew all this from living up north; people who've been here much longer tell me I'm wrong. No wonder they get NO veggies from their gardens.

I'm discouraged. I am discovering that my "special beds" are all sand. Hello? Put 4" of compost on top and then put stuff in; I'm amending this weekend. I'm really disgusted with the stupidity of people who tell me you can't garden here but don't follow basic rules of nature. Food, water, air and light. I'm sick of mixing blue stuff; when will my plants stop saying "please, sir, could I have some more?"

If I ever get my own spot, I'm going to make a killing growing stuff! Seriously. Unnamed cherry tomato plants go for $2 to $3 each--not that big. Ridiculous!

Richard
04-25-2014, 05:33 PM
... Unnamed cherry tomato plants go for $2 to $3 each--not that big. Ridiculous!

Add a dollar or two if you are buying them in metropolitan San Diego.

Kat2
04-25-2014, 05:42 PM
Add a dollar or two if you are buying them in metropolitan San Diego.
I am so having culture/gardening shock! I have 6 decent (3") and 60+ puny seedlings now about 2" tall--some might be the real thing--nice heirlooms from old seeds but some could be volunteers from the compost or crackers from a few years ago. If I wanted to be dishonest, I'd pot them up and put them on CL--if if I wasn't trying to see what I have, they'd be gone. I cannot believe what people pay for weed starts! Shoot, drop a grape tomato in the dirt and you'll get plants with lots of fruit. (I have peppers from discarded seeds setting fruit--left a 20 pot garden in Jacksonville that was way ahead. Lettuce and spinach was super--bought seeds for 20 cents a pack--American Seeds never failed me.)

Kat2, you have left the north for sure! :ha:

cincinnana
04-25-2014, 07:21 PM
I'm glad I took the surgical approach to removing that stump. As it turned out, there were two 3" diameter roots invading the foundation of the adjacent walls. After getting it out, I was going to mail it to Abnshrek but it wouldn't fit in the post box.
:ha:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55879&size=1
I will take that...


<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/12531219095" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/12531219095_603709c8a1_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>

Richard
05-22-2014, 10:56 PM
Finally finished installing a sink w/ cabinet in the master bathroom!

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

Richard
05-24-2014, 09:18 PM
Yesterday I started painting the exterior of the house. Here's the progress so far.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56099&size=1

Richard
05-25-2014, 09:16 PM
Today I started pouring cement for 10 cinder block structures. Two 90-lb bags down, 148 to go!

Kat2
05-26-2014, 01:19 PM
Yesterday I started painting the exterior of the house. Here's the progress so far.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56099&size=1I love the color but, even more now, your patio furniture doesn't cut it. Just saying...