I had a question about those blue plastic barrels you're using. Where do you find those kind of barrels? I see a lot of people using them, and they look like they'd work a lot better than the 5-gallon buckets I used this year (see sig). I had decent success, but I like the idea of growing bigger plants in barrels like those, next year.
I found the barrels in a rural farm area nearby, and they were free. I just stopped by, chatted the guy up a bit and asked the gent about the barrels, to which he responded 'take as many as you want'. They were previously used for farm pesticide, I guess, and he'd have to pay to have someone come get them. There is also a place locally that sells them, but they were pricey, hence my hunt for freebies. I saw some on c/l for free too. I used a skil-saw to cut them in half, like butter! I drilled holes around the bottom, inside, the bottoms have screen, about 3" of rock, another screen, then my soil. I filled them early to allow for settling, watering them when they dried. They drain quite well.
Thanks, brothers, it sure has been an adventure this year, and it will be a bountiful harvest. Between me and the ol' lady, the house is NEVER unattended, and the 3 dogs forewarn me of all comings and goings in the nieghborhood. Thankfully almost every house around has dogs in the backyard, so there are plenty of warning. Mine, fortunately, only respond when alerted highly, they don't squall at sirens, or loud noises. Or the sounds of the other dogs, but all will go out and check when things get loud in the hood. Damn! I sound a little paranoid, now don't I? I have yet to shake my fist at all the air traffic, though.
Finally weight took over, on the trainwreck patch, and the colas are now below fence level, especially after the last soaking of BT spray (!thanks veggiegardener!) so they can't be seen by casual passerby. There are a lot of middle school kids walking that sidewalk over there, and I've found them to be the most dangerous, as some are absolutely fearless, and ignorant as to the consequence of their actions, such as I, who needs my meds, would have to do without.
The power trimmer worked fantastic, sheared as well as scissors! the grate isn't big enough to let any more than the flexible leaves to be sucked thru and sheared. Sure, I'll have some hand work to do after drying, mostly the leaf stubs left behind, but the trimmer will cut hours and hours from the first trim. Plus, I'm not all that picky, as it will all be self-consumed, or donated free to a friend, dying of brain cancer. He in his 3rd course of aggressive chemo now, and not doing well. Prayers for Ryan, please.
Anyway I will report again soon!
DT
I cant wait to see what you harvest. I think all of us as outdoor growers are getting excited for the final HARVEST SEASON!
