Register  |   | 
 
Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Search > All posts by smatthew
 
 


The search returned 173 posts

Only find topics started by smatthew
   
Topics  |  Posts
Subject: Free cuttings! Replies: 48
Posted By: smatthew Views: 3,906
 
Cuttings arrived today. They'll be snugly nestled in coir tomorrow. Thanks!

Subject: dry farming Replies: 12
Posted By: smatthew Views: 675
 
You could try using a dew harvesting system to establish a capillary water column for the fig to follow. Check out the Groasis Waterboxx. They're $30-40ish and are effective enough that they use them to establish trees and shrubs in the desert. A few vineyard are also using them. I'm contemplating ordering a few to try out - It gets mighty dry in the summer, but the evening ocean breeze brings a fair amount of moisture the hills to me.

Subject: CA water restrictions Replies: 99
Posted By: smatthew Views: 2,408
 
I offload the water into an IBC container which holds 275 gallons. That is plumbed into my drip irrigation.  The IBC container with the water is 25ish feet higher than what it's watering, so it's gravity fed. I'm running 100gph of drippers so irrigation should take 2-3 hours, but due to the low pressure it takes a lot longer. Yesterday I filled up the IBC at 1pm and it was about half empty at 5pm. There's a filter in-line that might be getting clogged and slowing it up.

Most people just use a pump.

PS: IBC containers are 1000L plastic totes in a metal cage. New they are 250ish, but used ones can be found. Average used price in my area was $125 - but recently the price has been dropping. 

Subject: CA water restrictions Replies: 99
Posted By: smatthew Views: 2,408
 
Norwesco Plastics makes tanks for pickup trucks - they have an indent for the wheel well. I bought mine at Tractor Supply for $250. 

In case anyone is worried about weight...
210 gallons = 1700lb. My truck has a GVWR of 7000, and a curb weight of 5300, so the math works perfectly on load. 

Subject: CA water restrictions Replies: 99
Posted By: smatthew Views: 2,408
 
I'm using recycled water. I pick it up 210 gallons at a time from the wastewater treatment plant. I love it because a) it's free b) it includes organic fertilizer.

That 210 gallons of water is worth about $1.25 at local water rates. The fertilizer portion could be valued anywhere from $0.25(compared to ConvertedOrganics products) to $7.88 (compared to fish emulsion)

Subject: Extra Cuttings... Replies: 11
Posted By: smatthew Views: 647
 
what a cute kid!  Dibs on the cuttings (if possible).

Subject: Seminar Summaries on Irrigation & Critter Control Replies: 8
Posted By: smatthew Views: 263
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertDance

4.  It's all about the soil.  He had a beaker, and told us we could use any clear bottle or jar.  Fill it half way with dirt and then water.  Shake it good.  Let it settle.  Sand will fall to the bottom, then clay in the middle and then silt.  He said you need to water less if you have a high percentage of clay, and more often if you have well draining sandy soil. 

Just a tiny correction.  Sand will settle first, then silt, and clay will be on top.

Subject: Drip system installed Replies: 19
Posted By: smatthew Views: 666
 
Just an FYI to anyone else needing to set up drip for potted figs. If your pots are in a line, evenly spaced, you can get what's called "Orchard tubing" - 1/2" tubing with emitters inside the pipe every 9", 12" or 18". You just lay the tube over the top of your pots, and each fig gets an emitter.  Cost is usually around $22/100 feet. Saves you from having to punch all those emitters.

If you're a home depot kinda person, the product would be "DIG 1/2 in. x 100 ft.1 GPH Pressure Compensating Drip Line"

Subject: what is the best kind of water? For ourselves, for figs, and for our life? Replies: 9
Posted By: smatthew Views: 394
 
Run, run far away from these shysters. I've never seen any university papers testing these systems, and I've asked.

Subject: OT: free Mason bees (local pickup only) Replies: 35
Posted By: smatthew Views: 706
 
So now you're trying to bee generous, eh? :-}

Subject: Fig Harvesting Replies: 5
Posted By: smatthew Views: 314
 
Never seen that used on figs. Usually more of an olive harvest method.

Subject: Looking for a bulk amount of LSU Celeste cuttings Replies: 23
Posted By: smatthew Views: 674
 
Since by all appearances you'll be selling those cuttings on eBay, perhaps you should pay for them.....

Subject: Bayernfeige Violetta cuttings from Germany for trade Replies: 20
Posted By: smatthew Views: 906
 
I want to thank the original poster for the spirit of their post. It's nice to see someone willing to share. I'm also glad this community is able to quickly provide warning about the major USDA import issues. 

Subject: My Thoughts on Container Watering Replies: 27
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,127
 
It's my understanding that part of the trick with watering (especially containers) is to always water 2 or 3 times. It can take a while for moisture to percolate through the potting mix, and dry mix is usually semi-hydrophobic. If you water - then let it sit for 10-15 minutes before you water again, you'll see water uptake is improved.

Subject: Oh Deer.... Replies: 29
Posted By: smatthew Views: 665
 
Ok, so I've decided i'll wait for HD or Lowes to get cheap figs in, then plant one as the test - like leaving a goat tied up to see if the lions will come by.

Subject: Oh Deer.... Replies: 29
Posted By: smatthew Views: 665
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by james
Diluted urine makes a great fertilizer and a deterrent to pesky animals.  Make sure the urine is from a post pubescent male (testosterone).  Concentrated urine could be hazardous to your trees.


Well, at least now i have an excuse for peeing in the field.....

Subject: Oh Deer.... Replies: 29
Posted By: smatthew Views: 665
 
I know my luck - I'd hit the deer, and it would jump back over the fence onto parkland and run to the park ranger station, leaving a bloody incriminating trail back to me. No figs in prison ;-{

Subject: Oh Deer.... Replies: 29
Posted By: smatthew Views: 665
 
So, cover new growth in wolf urine? Or set up a deer blind near the figs?

Subject: Oh Deer.... Replies: 29
Posted By: smatthew Views: 665
 

How do deer and figs get along? I've been offered a nice hillside to grow some berries/fruits on, but there is evidence of deer nearby. Will I be fighting a loosing battle, or could I grow figs with deer nearby? Any recommendations as to whether I should fence the whole field, or just put mesh circles around individual trees?

Thanks in advance.

Subject: Filacciano cuttings for sale! Replies: 31
Posted By: smatthew Views: 2,108
 
My package arrived today! Thanks.

Subject: Better Way to Warm? Replies: 11
Posted By: smatthew Views: 362
 
If you set the heat mat on top of a piece of foam insulation, a lot more heat will end up going to the plants, instead of heating up the countertop so much.

Subject: Osborne Prolific & Black Jack Cuttings ... Replies: 17
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,114
 
Thanks for the cuttings! I'm a new Figger, and appreciate the help in growing my collection.

Subject: Filacciano cuttings for sale! Replies: 31
Posted By: smatthew Views: 2,108
 
Thanks for the cuttings!