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  • Author Author: dubbie
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I've Been Gardening

dubbie

I logged in properly to Element14 today, for the first time for quite a while, to find 42 notifications waiting for me. Additionally, I didn't manage to finish my entry for the latest Project14 Competition for previously unfinished projects (it was going to be a worm robot) so I'll probably try finishing that later (maybe). I've been away on holiday overseas! Twice! and the garden has been flourishing and needing more attention, plus I have been sitting out in the garden watching the flowers grow (mostly cosmos), drinking the odd glass of wine and possibly a few little sleeps. Life has been good.

 

Still, the days are shorter now, it's getting colder, the garden doesn't need my attention so much, so I am hoping to get some robot building done. I have been given one of these children's battery powered tricycles which I plan to turn into an autonomous outdoor robot. It was broken but I worked out it was the battery (£18 for a new battery! - the whole tricycle only costs £55) and a switch problem - at the moment it only goes backwards.

 

Time for some autumn fun.

 

Dubbie

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  • in reply to genebren

    Gene,

     

    Another three weeks of gardening have passed by like a flash - and the garden still isn't ready for winter, although it nearly is. I don't have that much lawn but I have been taking steps to reduce maintenance since I retired (4 years now!) so a bit less grass, a few more paths, a bit more self-sustaining borders. This autumn is the first time it is starting to come together. Admittedly, the amount of maintenance has not yet reduced but the amount of flowers has increased, and I now have some solar lighting - which isn't very good so I'm thinking of how to improve it. I also need a temperature sensor system for the greenhouse. I also want to monitor the temperature of my compost (I bought a good box to bury in it and that was as far as I got).

     

    We've had our first frosts so that will finish off any remaining flowers. It's nearly time to start sitting indoors, drinking tea and getting on with some Element14.

     

    Dubbie

  • in reply to dubbie

    Did you apply for the Just Encase Design Challenge ?  That would be a good project for your compost pile and greenhouse image.

     

    We're having a La Nina winter again this year, so having lots of rain.  My solar production has been non-existent the last couple of weeks and the 14 day forecast shows no sunlight...

     

    I just finished pulling up all the summer vegetable plants.  Still had dozens of cherry tomatoes, but they won't ripen in this weather - guess I need a greenhouse, too.  Not sure what my wife can do with green cherry tomatoes.

    image

     

    It is definitely time for tea and indoor projects!

  • in reply to genebren

    Dubbie,

     

    Here is a before and after picture of our recent conversion of lawn to nature space project.  Our local water company is encouraging homeowners to convert their lawns to low water usage space in an effort to reduce future water shortages.  By signing up to convert 200 square feet of lawn, the company gives you coupons to purchase water saver plants (plus points for other freebies or discounts).  This is our third project under this program, and we have plans for further projects.

     

    imageimage

    The project replaced a timber wall that was deteriorating in place.  The before picture was in the heat of summer, near the completion of our deck replacement project, when we usually cut back deeply on watering (sometimes not at all).  The after picture was taken yesterday after we loaded two cubic yards of mulch into the space. The new garden has several plants (store bought and other cuttings), that will take a while to mature and prosper.  On the whole, we are very happy with the new space.

     

    Our next project plan includes the space where I am standing taking these pictures, where we plan to add more garden spaces as well as a water feature and maybe some park-like benches to enjoy the new spaces.

  • in reply to dubbie

    "...I also want to monitor the temperature of my compost (I bought a good box to bury in it and that was as far as I got)..."

     

    My neighbour's cats do that... Cats snoozin' on composter bin lid = compost warm.

     

    There is a composting design challenge project in progress here which may be of interest:

    Solar Powered Smart Composter - Design & Component  (Blog1)

  • in reply to genebren

    Looks great.

     

    It appears to be the year for doing stuff with lawns. I spent summer redoing my back lawn. It got badly scorched during a hot spell a couple of years ago and it never fully recovered so decided it was time to start over during the lock-downs/work-from-home. It was an opportunity to dig out all the builders rubble that had buried 50+ years ago when originally developing the site, which means in future I can now safely use a lightweight electric garden tiller to turn it over without it kicking back all the time.

    image

    The oleaster hedge at the top right was a recent addition two years ago, and replaces an old garden wall which was broken up and can be seen to the lower left which will form a base for a new shed. The neighbours cats don't like walking on it though and hence the damage to the lawn alongside it - they trampled the new grass seedlings to death using it as a highway between the gardens. image

    With such a small space, it has been something of a 'Tower of Hanoi' project... In theory, with proper planning, it should have only taken 7 moves, not the 70+ it actually took... image

     

    I just need Dubbie Dubbie to come up with a robot lawnmower design so that I to can sit in the deckchair drinking the odd glass of wine... image