Green House for Propagation

Finishing up a simple 10x12 gambrel roofed greenhouse based off one built by the prodigious DIY'er  Ana White.  It's a simple building I framed with recycled 2x6 redwood deck boards, an old 2x8 bookshelf, and some some old metal corrugated roofing.  The only new items are the clear corrugated panels from the local Home Depot.

Jari Sickle Mower

The beast.  A 1980 something Jari Sickle Mower that I was surprised to learn was still in production.

I had last ran this in my teens for my grandfather on the property.  I'm sure it had sit unused since then, and would have made it to the recycler had a close friend not sang its glories when its appendage removing sickle was directed toward to grasses taller than me.  A few trips to the parts store and she sprang to life.

I call it the Mangler.

Last ran during the Reagan Administration, this self propelled monstrosity is least likely to start a Summer fire other than in your lungs as you desperately try to keep up with its single speed on the steep grades.


But oh, nothing munches on the woody stalks of recalcitrant star thistle like it.

The Honey Bee

Not essential for olive pollination, but can't hurt right?

By the way, the olives are blooming here in Northern California

The great drought of 2014

They keep telling me we're in a drought.  I wish they'd tell the tractor.

Pruning Olive Trees

It's well into Spring -at least weather wise- here in California which means pruning.  A lot of pruning, I see branches in my sleep a lot of pruning.  Here are some tips;

• Sap rises, use this to encourage growth in desired directions
• Go fast, you'll see many options so just pick one and prune.
• The 4 D's; Dead, Diseased, Deformed, Dying
• Maintain the shape of the tree you want - don't let it get out of control
• Heavy duty tree tape - you'll use a lot in a young grove 
• Keep a flat file handy for your cutting tools, you'll use it at least daily
• Keep your tools sterile, I use clorox bleach wipes.  Fast, easy, and effective.

Snapped branch from snow.  Cut.

Farm Sounds; Frogs in the Evening

The kids and I were burning some brush the other evening and thought you might enjoy the crackling of the fire and the frogs enjoying the recent rains.

Recovering from Freeze Damage

It's springtime!  The trees that were damaged are pushing new growth where they had lost all their leaves due to Decembers record lows.