David Irby

Way Cool Tools also make a range of "Unbreakable" broadforks in various sizes : https://waycooltools.com/t/broadforks

I have not purchased one yet but am trying to make up my mind which size to get...

We have decided to try chickens (and ducks) again after a previous failed attempt due to stray dogs killing them all.  I am building a stronger coop this time but also planning to use electric pultry netting to protect them while they are out foraging.  The coop will be on skids and I expect to move the netting at least weekly.  My main questions is what is the best way to manage the grounding for the charger - it would be quite a pain to have to install (and keep track of) multiple ground rods around the property - does anyone have any tips to make this easier or am I missing any other way to handle the grounding?

Thanks,
Dave.

I am hoping that the addition of some ducks can help me reduce the Japanse beetles we have been getting hit with the last few years - does anyone know if they will eat them if I shake them off my trees and shrubs for them??

Marco - I am definitely going to give this idea a try.  I have quite a few fruit trees already planted on a north facing slope and have been regretting that I cannot establish swales without tearing them out.  The mini swales upslope is an excellent idea and I am confident that it will help the trees get through the dry periods we generally have here in the summer.  Would you happen to have any pictures you could share to go along with your excellent written desciptions?

Thanks,
Dave

Hi all,
 Just wanted to chime in and say that I got some seeds from Craig this year and did a test planting of six with 100% success.  I ordered seeds last year from a "professional" seed company and had 0% success despite trying multiple techniques they recommended...

Thanks again Craig!

Dave

Sounds like animals might be the answer.  Does anyone have experience with ducks and whether they would eat the squash bugs as enthusiastically as chickens?  My expectation is that ducks would cause less damage to the garden in general.  Also curious if anyone has experience with ducks/chickens for japanese beetles - I suppose I could shake my trees/bushes to dislodge beetles and ducks would hunt them down when they hit the ground??  I have been considering adding ducks or chickens - and this added benefit of helping control our 2 most annoying pests might just be the thing that pushes me over the edge (and gets my wife on board).

Polly Oz wrote:When I go to the purchase page, it says that issues are also available on android and in the App Store. Does the 'also' mean there is a third option? Also, in the App Store it doesn't access to the 87 back issues. Is that just a failure to mention, or does subscribing via the app not include the back issues?

There are separate Apps for Permaculture NA and Permaculture International - once you have provided the verifications to the Exact Editions website you can use both apps to read the respective magazines.

Allen - can you give a few more details - maybe what size line you are using for the crop rows and which type of emitters (pressure compensating?)? A picture would also be very helpful and greatly appreciated.

I am very interested in something that would hold up better over multiple seasons than the T-Tape.

Thanks,
Dave

We always left the mainlines and fittings in place and used the fittings with the valves so that we could open/close the flow to individual beds as needed. We did also use the "goof plugs" sometimes so it is nice to have a supply on hand when you are pretty sure that you don't want a line in the place anymore. The plugs are much cheaper than the fittings and can be removed and replaced with a barb fitting if you change your mind later (but probably not too many times before the hole would get stretched out and not seal well).

Hello all,
I am hoping to establish some King Stropharia patches on wood chips that I will use for mulch around my blueberries - can anyone recommend how much spawn I need to add per cubic yard of chips to ensure good inoculation?

If the rates are very high I will probably look to multiple the spawn in buckets but would still appreciate some guidance on the proper rate (maybe 5 gallons of inoculated chips per yard of fresh chips or ).

Thanks for any advice.

Dave.