Building our new dam
- Thread starter PatrickS2222
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PatrickS2222
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I had some millet and some cooch seed here - it's a couple of years old but should still be Ok, and bought a mixture (intended for lawns) of annual and also perennial rye-grass, a little cooch and a small percentage of kikuyu and Kentucky Bluegrass. The whole lot got mixed together, I saved about half to spread on the ground outside the dam because the natural grass - largely rubbish anyway - suffered during building the dam. I'll do that in the next week or two.
The idea is that the millet grows quickly, so it holds the soil and shades the ground. Then the rye sprouts and doesn't get burnt by the hot sun, but by the time the millet is finished the rye can handle the summer sun. The cooch, kikuyu and bluegrass germinate and grow very slowly in comparison, benefit from the shade provided by the ryegrass, and slowly run about under it and eventually covered with a thick matting of year-round grass. That's the plan anyway, not sure I'll be mowing those slopes though!
Earlier this afternoon I put sprinklers over it - current daytime max is 23-26C/75-80F so it will need water about every 5-6 days from now onwards. If the top is kept damp, the soil underneath will stay moist as well.
The idea is that the millet grows quickly, so it holds the soil and shades the ground. Then the rye sprouts and doesn't get burnt by the hot sun, but by the time the millet is finished the rye can handle the summer sun. The cooch, kikuyu and bluegrass germinate and grow very slowly in comparison, benefit from the shade provided by the ryegrass, and slowly run about under it and eventually covered with a thick matting of year-round grass. That's the plan anyway, not sure I'll be mowing those slopes though!
Earlier this afternoon I put sprinklers over it - current daytime max is 23-26C/75-80F so it will need water about every 5-6 days from now onwards. If the top is kept damp, the soil underneath will stay moist as well.
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PatrickS2222
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Latest news is that the grass is beginning to germinate - first were through on Tuesday afternoon, with a lot more visible today. Gave the whole area another light watering today after work, and some rain-showers are forecast over the next week or so too. Pics to come. Should be a dream start for young plants - on that subject my greenhouse is great for starting off seedlings before warmer weather arrives. I planted out about 35 pumpkin seedlings last weekend, and have a couple dozen each of cucumber, rockmelon and watermelon to plant out this weekend. I reckon I'll deserve a beer after that too, as much as last weekend digging up potatoes! :drink:
Off-topic:
Our younger daughter leaves tomorrow to New Zealand to compete in Oceania Artistic Skating Champoinships ..... she's about the only family member I know possesses any artistic or sporting ability at all! :laughing: My wife and elder daughter are going as well for support - and a holiday She has attended four National C'ships, but this is her first Oceanias ..... she's both excited and nervous. Her current coach is wonderful and has been to several World C'ships - I'll pass on the results for you all. :thumbsup:
Off-topic:
Our younger daughter leaves tomorrow to New Zealand to compete in Oceania Artistic Skating Champoinships ..... she's about the only family member I know possesses any artistic or sporting ability at all! :laughing: My wife and elder daughter are going as well for support - and a holiday
She has attended four National C'ships, but this is her first Oceanias ..... she's both excited and nervous. Her current coach is wonderful and has been to several World C'ships - I'll pass on the results for you all. :thumbsup:
bindian
Super Member
PatrickS four twos,Latest news is that the grass is beginning to germinate - first were through on Tuesday afternoon, with a lot more visible today. Gave the whole area another light watering today after work, and some rain-showers are forecast over the next week or so too. Pics to come. Should be a dream start for young plants - on that subject my greenhouse is great for starting off seedlings before warmer weather arrives. I planted out about 35 pumpkin seedlings last weekend, and have a couple dozen each of cucumber, rockmelon and watermelon to plant out this weekend. I reckon I'll deserve a beer after that too, as much as last weekend digging up potatoes! :drink:
Off-topic:
Our younger daughter leaves tomorrow to New Zealand to compete in Oceania Artistic Skating Champoinships ..... she's about the only family member I know possesses any artistic or sporting ability at all! :laughing: My wife and elder daughter are going as well for support - and a holiday
We're looking forward to photos of the "greening".
I am glad to hear this. Gives me a warm feeling hearing about families here. Tell her your tractor friends are pulling for her. What's her name?
hugs, Brandi
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PatrickS2222
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Happy to oblige!
Thank you ..... I shall pass on your encouragement and support. Her name is Jennifer Schneider. And yes, she can (and frequently does) drive our tractors - has for several years. :laughing: Same applies to our elder daughter Katrina. Jennifer also now has her car driver's learner's permit Hasn't lately been much time for learning, has had to stay on hold for a while.
Here's a pic with her Nationals medals:
Thank you ..... I shall pass on your encouragement and support. Her name is Jennifer Schneider. And yes, she can (and frequently does) drive our tractors - has for several years. :laughing: Same applies to our elder daughter Katrina. Jennifer also now has her car driver's learner's permit
Hasn't lately been much time for learning, has had to stay on hold for a while. Here's a pic with her Nationals medals:
Kyle_in_Tex
Super Star Member
Hope you all have a safe trip, and that your daughter gives her best effort.
I love dam building threads.
I love dam building threads.
bindian
Super Member
Yep, dam threads are the best!Hope you all have a safe trip, and that your daughter gives her best effort.
I love dam building threads.
hugs, Brandi
bindian
Super Member
What a talented cutie! Thanks for sharing!Happy to oblige!
Thank you ..... I shall pass on your encouragement and support. Her name is Jennifer Schneider. And yes, she can (and frequently does) drive our tractors - has for several years. :laughing: Same applies to our elder daughter Katrina. Jennifer also now has her car driver's learner's permit
Here's a pic with her Nationals medals:
View attachment 479451
Is it true that Australians don't care much for.............what's the term.............Kiwis?
hugs, Brandi
WoodChuckDad
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When do the rains come?
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PatrickS2222
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- Brisbane, Australia
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- MF35, MF135, MF203 with loader.
Thanks again to all for kindly wishing her well. I spoke to her tonight and she trained well, likes the floor surface characteristics and seems all set for giving it her best shot. :thumbsup:
I'm staying here at home - feeding the animals and working as usual ... the credit card may well need some remedial attention!
We usually see sporadic and often heavy rainstorms from October to January, then the "wet season" really begins - regular lengthy periods of rain, and frequently heavy flood rain at times as well. That's why I wanted grass to be as well-established as possible in time for storm season. It should be Ok, but the thicker the better. In the meantime, I still have to clean up the area and finish little bits here and there. It could be full by Easter! :laughing:
As far as Aussies and Kiwis go ..... we have our moments; also each seems to believe they're better than the other. We have rather robust competitiveness in Rugby League football (where we usually win), Rugby Union football (where they seem to always win) and cricket (where results are just about even). Aussies seem to moan a bit about the number of New Zealanders living in Australia (we claim welfare payments must be more easily obtained here) and Kiwis in return refer to Australia as the "West Island" :laughing: When it's all said and done we call each other "cousins" and realise there's good and bad everywhere - but it's mostly how you view it.
I'm staying here at home - feeding the animals and working as usual ... the credit card may well need some remedial attention!
We usually see sporadic and often heavy rainstorms from October to January, then the "wet season" really begins - regular lengthy periods of rain, and frequently heavy flood rain at times as well. That's why I wanted grass to be as well-established as possible in time for storm season. It should be Ok, but the thicker the better. In the meantime, I still have to clean up the area and finish little bits here and there. It could be full by Easter! :laughing:
As far as Aussies and Kiwis go ..... we have our moments; also each seems to believe they're better than the other. We have rather robust competitiveness in Rugby League football (where we usually win), Rugby Union football (where they seem to always win) and cricket (where results are just about even). Aussies seem to moan a bit about the number of New Zealanders living in Australia (we claim welfare payments must be more easily obtained here) and Kiwis in return refer to Australia as the "West Island" :laughing: When it's all said and done we call each other "cousins" and realise there's good and bad everywhere - but it's mostly how you view it.