Building our new dam

[bindian]

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.

Good to know.
hugs, Brandi

 

[pmsmechanic]

Interesting read! I'm just wondering if some two inch or so holes cut into the sides of the overflow pipes might help with extending the plugging intervals. Also a bit of a dock along side so the you can clean the overflow pipes while the reservoir is filling up.

 

[PatrickS2222]

They are both good ideas, thank you for suggesting them. I'll certainly put a couple of holes in the sides of the pipes. Re clearing debris - might be what is needed is something maybe 3 feet square on four posts, a solid and stable footing in very wet weather will be a great help.
This is indeed a perfect example of why we discuss what we're doing - so the great ideas of others can be incorporated into the job, improving the finished project, or saving cost or work ... or both. Thank you once again. :thumbsup:
PS: The area is slowly gaining an increasingly green tinge.

 

[pmsmechanic]

a solid and stable footing in very wet weather will be a great help.

I was thinking of something like a 2x4 or at the most a 2x6 just so that there was a reward for staying balanced while doing the cleaning job. All kidding aside your idea for a solid platform in wet weather is a good one.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Yes, maybe half a plastic shipping pallet is 2'x4' ..... I have several here. They're waterproof too!
It is a good idea - and you suggested it, thank you! :thumbsup:

 

[pmsmechanic]

Yes, maybe half a plastic shipping pallet is 2'x4' ..... I have several here. They're waterproof too!
It is a good idea - and you suggested it, thank you! :thumbsup:

Here in North America a 2x4 is in reality a 1.5 inch by 3.5 inch piece of lumber for building. A 2x6 is 1.5 inches by 5.5 inches. I was actually teasing you when I said that a single piece would make a good dock. It's funny that it was translated into a good suggestion. Making the dock out of plastic pallets sounds like a good idea though.

 

[aczlan]

Here in North America a 2x4 is in reality a 1.5 inch by 3.5 inch piece of lumber for building. A 2x6 is 1.5 inches by 5.5 inches. I was actually teasing you when I said that a single piece would make a good dock. It's funny that it was translated into a good suggestion. Making the dock out of plastic pallets sounds like a good idea though.

I would use the whole pallet though. Nothing worse than a dock that is too narrow.

Aaron Z

 

[PatrickS2222]

I read it as 2 feet bt 4 feet, which should have sufficient width, but I could use the whole pallet.
Maybe I could put some fish in there .... I could sit on the dock with a beer and a line in the water!
It could also be a suitable location for our water pump. I will need to devise a means of attaching it reliably to a base - wouldn't be good if it fell in! It's electric, quite lightweight and a handy piece of equipment. For its size, it pushes a surprising amount of water.
The previous owner had laid an underground 2inch mainline with about 14 garden taps dotted across about 3 acres of the paddock. I find that a real bonus - I don't use the petrol fire-pump which was in place, instead I use the electric for its convenience. There's a tap beside each dam, so I simply swap in a T-piece on the riser pipe and connect the pump to it. The water goes down the riser into the main, then is available at every other tap as well ... great for watering anything, close to almost any part of all three paddocks.
I'm currently using water from the other dam, from the tap at the new dam, to irrigate the grass seed I recently planted. It's getting greener

 

[PatrickS2222]

Just a quick update on a few days of inactivity - life getting in the way.

A close friend's turbo-diesel 4WD engine went out in a big way after 580 000km/350 000miles. Had to go 200km/125 miles each way and pick them up in another friend's tilt-tray a week ago. Now engine's out and apart, block is back with new sleeves in, head is reconditioned, got all the other bits and the big reassemble begins tomorrow.

Jennifer has found the competition is much fiercer at this level - 3 mid-field results from 3 events. This is her first Oceania Championships - the same occurred at her first Nationals, then she received a few medals, including two gold, in subsequent years. Nevertheless, they all are enjoying a short holiday in New Zealand, but are also looking forward to coming home in two days.

I'll need a skid-steer to clean up the house - might just finish in the nick of time. :laughing:

A wet day today, but not much rain, also forecast wet tomorrow, fine and sunny on Sunday. :thumbsup:

 

[PatrickS2222]

All the troops are home, enjoyed their holiday but glad to be back home. I survived - didn't quite starve - but had enough of my own company too!
A couple of pics - a definite green tinge visible. These were taken last Sunday. Although rain-showers seem to always be forecast they haven't eventuated at all this week, so I watered lightly today anyway. Without rain, it needs a light watering every few days, and will need more fertiliser this weekend as well.

 

[coldsteelva]

Did you ever consider clover for erosion control? I heard that it has an aggressive root system and can be used to stabilize banks and slopes.

 

[bindian]

Glad to see the green coming out.
hugs, Brandi

 

[PatrickS2222]

Yes, good to see the millet up to about 3-4ins high and it seems some is still coming up too. We did receive a couple light showers the day after I last watered it lightly, no real problem though. I spread a healthy dose of fertiliser over it today after work - should keep up some momentum! :thumbsup:
Thanks for your suggestion regarding clover - I didn't think of it, but I like seeing clover growing. I have never known of it to be associated with, or capable of soil stabilisation - only as excellent cattle fodder. Reading some of the sites (links below) though - it stands to reason and your idea may well be worthwhile.
I recall as a boy growing paddocks of pasture for our dairy cattle. I recall my father used to speak of the nutrients and nourishment for cows that it contained, in addition white usually with some red (two groups of varieties) clover added some spectacular colour to a pasture paddock. Some examples:

Trifolium repens pictures (5)

Field and Forage Grass Seed: Medium Red Clover | Allen, Sterling & Lothrop - Falmouth, Maine

Steps for Establishing Clover in Pastures

I see in the second website (advertising seed supply) in the menu on the RH side "Ladino" White Clover - we always planted that particular variety. Remarkable that it's still available 40 years later!

Also, in the third website reference is made to its capability of yielding a notable amount of nitrogen, I presume storing it in a similar manner to peas and alfalfa/lucerne. Additionally, it refers to "inoculation" of clover seed - another process my father always did prior to sowing. I never knew what it did nor why, until I read the website below. It's a very informative and interesting topic, as well as important information to anyone farming for livestock fodder. You will be surprised at how one is related to the other and why it is important!

Inoculating and pelleting pasture legume seed | NSW Department of Primary Industries

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Yes, good to see the millet up to about 3-4ins high and it seems some is still coming up too. We did receive a couple light showers the day after I last watered it lightly, no real problem though. I spread a healthy dose of fertiliser over it today after work - should keep up some momentum! :thumbsup:
Thanks for your suggestion regarding clover - I didn't think of it, but I like seeing clover growing. I have never known of it to be associated with, or capable of soil stabilisation - only as excellent cattle fodder. Reading some of the sites (links below) though - it stands to reason and your idea may well be worthwhile.
I recall as a boy growing paddocks of pasture for our dairy cattle. I recall my father used to speak of the nutrients and nourishment for cows that it contained, in addition white usually with some red (two groups of varieties) clover added some spectacular colour to a pasture paddock. Some examples:

Trifolium repens pictures (5)

Field and Forage Grass Seed: Medium Red Clover | Allen, Sterling & Lothrop - Falmouth, Maine

Steps for Establishing Clover in Pastures

I see in the second website (advertising seed supply) in the menu on the RH side "Ladino" White Clover - we always planted that particular variety. Remarkable that it's still available 40 years later!

Also, in the third website reference is made to its capability of yielding a notable amount of nitrogen, I presume storing it in a similar manner to peas and alfalfa/lucerne. Additionally, it refers to "inoculation" of clover seed - another process my father always did prior to sowing. I never knew what it did nor why, until I read the website below. It's a very informative and interesting topic, as well as important information to anyone farming for livestock fodder. You will be surprised at how one is related to the other and why it is important!

Inoculating and pelleting pasture legume seed | NSW Department of Primary Industries

I got a couple of dumb questions from a guy who's never been down under.

Will the millet produce seed that will attract seed eating parakeets and such?

And how do you guys drink beer so good when you're always upside down?

 

[PatrickS2222]

I got a couple of dumb questions from a guy who's never been down under.

Will the millet produce seed that will attract seed eating parakeets and such?

And how do you guys drink beer so good when you're always upside down?

G'day Kyle. Millet goes to seed in a head similar to a small version to sorghum which would attract various birds, almost any seed-eaters.

Drinking beer here in Aussie: In relation to you guys, we're standing on our heads and holding our beer upside down :laughing: That's why the "stubbie" (smaller beer bottle) was invented - we can hold our thumb over the end to prevent the beer running out :thumbsup: when we aren't actually taking a gulp! :laughing: The alcohol seems to have an increased effect when we stand up again though! :drink:
I must also add I can't resist a couple of Jim Beam or Jack Daniels with Coca-cola on occasion - you guys got them 110% right :thumbsup:

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

G'day Kyle. Millet goes to seed in a head similar to a small version to sorghum which would attract various birds, almost any seed-eaters.

Drinking beer here in Aussie: In relation to you guys, we're standing on our heads and holding our beer upside down :laughing: That's why the "stubbie" (smaller beer bottle) was invented - we can hold our thumb over the end to prevent the beer running out :thumbsup: when we aren't actually taking a gulp! :laughing: The alcohol seems to have an increased effect when we stand up again though! :drink:
I must also add I can't resist a couple of Jim Beam or Jack Daniels with Coca-cola on occasion - you guys got them 110% right :thumbsup:

Thank you, so glad I learned something new today!!! Although I rarely drink the tough stuff anymore, It would be hard to pass on a Crown Royal and coke salad with clear croutons.

I love short stubbie brown bottles. One of our cheaper beers is made by Anheuser Busch and called Natural light. Mostly it comes in cans, but some stores carry it in bottles and I prefer it so much more in the stubbie bottles.

 

[check]

Thank you, so glad I learned something new today!!! Although I rarely drink the tough stuff anymore, It would be hard to pass on a Crown Royal and coke salad with clear croutons. I love short stubbie brown bottles. One of our cheaper beers is made by Anheuser Busch and called Natural light. Mostly it comes in cans, but some stores carry it in bottles and I prefer it so much more in the stubbie bottles.

Crown Royal - now THERE is a Whiskey!

 

[PatrickS2222]

Kyle, I reckon I take a full year to drink what most guys seem to average each week ..... I'm generally happier with a cup of coffee (especially cappucino) :licking: than a beer - unless it's a really hot day! :drink:
Hi Check, glad you like the Crown Royal I can't recall ever having one. I may seem strange, but tend to drink the same couple beers and 2 or 3 mixer drinks, usually JB, JD or our own Bundaberg Rum. Anyone familiar with "Bundy"? Mmmmm ..... Niiiiice with Coke! :thumbsup:

PS: I believe this thread is being hijacked! But I admit to not really having done anything recently - except watching grass grow :laughing: It's getting greener
I did scatter some more fertiliser a few days ago after a couple rain-showers. More rain forecast tomorrow.

 

[bindian]

Hey............I'll hijack it for Crown Royal!
hugs, Brandi

 

[PatrickS2222]

With strong recommendation from Check and Brandi, I reckon I'll have to find some Crown Royal to sample - sounds well worthwhile! :thumbsup: