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My first ripened fig - EVER - I think

Congrats on the first ripe fig,I do question the labelling as well,does not look like EBT but differences in your climate might account for some of the differences to what BT turns out like here.my first thought when I saw it was celesta,when I read a few othe posts after which was suggesting the same that cheered me up,I'm quite new to this.I'm looking forward to the day I can pick my first(not this year in afraid),oh well,more waiting just means more time to grow more fig trees on the meantime,looks like you have been doing just that!

Ron if you have a second farm wagon you may want to put a border around it and line it with plastic it would serve as a big saucer for all pots in wagon. You could also fill the wagon with potting soil and put the pots and all I the soil 3 or 4 inches would do it. The roots would grow out of the pots drain holes you can trim them off at the end of year.

Tomorrow I expect to pick that 2nd one.  It really looks ready now but I'd rather wait till morning in order to start the day off on a positive note.

I took action tonight and ALL pots have saucers and I watered everyone until the saucers were filled.  I moved 31 of the small pots to a table then I rearranged the rest on the wagon by putting the largest right down the center then the next highest on each side and so on with the rest.  Hopefully this will give all plants an equal shot at the sun and rain.  I think the tall plants might have been shielding the smaller ones from getting their fair share of the rain.  I will be closely monitoring the saucers from now on regarding the need for watering.

When I built this wagon, even though I did take care into making it as durable as possible meaning not only did I use all pressure treated wood but stainless steel deck screws and hardware.  I did think about putting sides on but I needed to get it into service in the hope to grab as much of any nice day as I could early in the season.  When temps dipped at night, I moved them into a heated building.  Now that I have more time to plan this next one, I'll still make the bed the same way with the same materials but I can plan the addition of sides.  I like that idea about making the wagon a large mobile planter.  The thought I have is to use the wagon for pots that are 5 gal or less.  Anything larger will be set on the walk or driveway with a suitable saucer.  I really enjoy going around and watering the larger trees as I look over the new crop popping up and seeing their growth as time moves along.  That is one of the main reasons I got into figs.  I'll lighten up on the strawberries and blueberries before I cut back on the figs.
   

Picked the second fig today off of the same tree.  I also seen that many more are now entering the final ripening stage.  We should be getting another half dozen or so within the next 4 days.  Photos of this fig included plus a photo of the rearranged figs on the wagon.  Since I now posted my first two figs of the year, I'll start another thread if a new variety emerges to the picking stage.  I will also start a new thread if there is a newsworthy update on the watering situation regarding the fig tree rearrangements and a new thread regarding the powered Swifter Sifter outcome.

I appreciate the information contributed in trying to get me on the right track.  Thank you.

Ron

2ndfig18c.JPG 

Figs8-18-3.JPG

Quote:
Originally Posted by 115foxron
I am proud of the Dirt "Swifter Sifter" so far and if it works was well as I envision it, I'll be ecstatic.  But, and here is the big BUT, I will not know until I crank this thing up and throw the first load of dirt on it for the test to see how well it works.  I've seen similar units on youtube but none were very clear on the details of the mechanics.  The thing I gathered from those videos is the need for great shaking action of the screen.  

This is all my design with a 2" square tube frame bolted together with 5/16" hex bolts using 3/16" flat iron plate gussets.  Originally I had planned to weld the frame together but the people who are laser cutting my parts suggested it be modified to take apart for transportation and/or storage.  Fortunately the design modification did not change the specifications of any of the previously cut pieces.  Many of the parts are off the shelf like the engine, pulleys, bearings, belts and miscellaneous hardware.  A spec sheet is being drawn up for every single part in order to produce a manual at the end.

This whole project came about because we had a huge mound of mixed top soil, compost, chunks of wood, stones, metal debris from burned wood items.  This mound sits out back and has accumulated over the last 10 to 15 years.  It is approximately 30' long, 6' to 8' wide and 3' to 4' high.  A great place for groundhogs to burro and is right along side the garden that my brother takes care of.  I suggested we just bring in a trash container, load it all up and haul it away.  He said there is a lot of good composted soil in there and it would be a shame to lose it.  I checked around to try and rent a large sifter as doing it by hand with a wheelbarrow and shaker frame was a little insane, given the amount we had.  There is none to rent nor is there any to buy (at a reasonable price).  The lowest cost one I found was about that size for around $9,000 at was a stationary unit moved with a skid loader.  SO, this is where I'm at now.  The screen is 4' by 6' with overall frame dimensions to accommodate the front end bucket on our small tractor.

I can tell you this; the cost of bringing in that trash container and hauling it all away is going to look like a bargain once I get done with this project.  BUT, I'm retired and I'm always looking for something interesting to do.  

I sure hope my Social Security checks don't stop!


It's so good to see these projects!  I am NOT handy with tools BUT I really wish I were.  There are so many things I imagine and want to build...

Definately keep us informed.  And, uh, get this baby patented if it works well.  I hope your SS checks don't stop...lol

Quote:
Originally Posted by 115foxron
Picked the second fig today off of the same tree.  I also seen that many more are now entering the final ripening stage.  We should be getting another half dozen or so within the next 4 days.  Photos of this fig included plus a photo of the rearranged figs on the wagon.  Since I now posted my first two figs of the year, I'll start another thread if a new variety emerges to the picking stage.  I will also start a new thread if there is a newsworthy update on the watering situation regarding the fig tree rearrangements and a new thread regarding the powered Swifter Sifter outcome.

I appreciate the information contributed in trying to get me on the right track.  Thank you.

Ron

2ndfig18c.JPG 

Figs8-18-3.JPG[/QUOTE

Looking good, Ron!

Congratulation!! Good job~~