Alternative Uses for Implements

KiotiJohn · Apr 20, 2005

( John, have you tried using a back blade to 'windrow' the dirt into rough beds? You really need to have the ground tilled and pretty soft, but using a back blade, offset, angled and slightly tilted you can make a few passes and build raised beds. )
I don't have nor want a rear blade, but I couldn't see using one as I would need a lot of room between beds to be able to do that. With my method, I'm making a row in front of the tractor and backing up to make the next one, therefore the tractor is always on the unbedded portion of the garden.
I suppose in a very large area, the windrowing would work, but I don't garden that large an area. John

Bob_Skurka · Apr 20, 2005

Your're right about wide aisles. I actually like that, but then that is a personal choice. I've got a lot of space to play with out back so that is also not an issue. My field is fairly low (60' elevation drop from the top of the property where the house sits) so I run wide aisle (about 5' wide) between planting areas for some drainage. It lets me run a tractor down there which makes things easy. But it also lets the beds drain into the aisles so they don't get/stay too soggy.

nomad · Apr 22, 2005

A simple small size cultivator which can easily be built at home. See attachment. Only 3'. Guess its price. Do I need a tiller which is much more expensive than this cultivator to cultivate my garden? No. I can also change its points easily for harder grounds.

HomeBrew2 · Apr 22, 2005

That's a really nice looking cultivator! Do you happen to have anymore pix in case some of us might want to copy it /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

nomad · Apr 22, 2005

Unfortunately, I don't have another picture. But, I can take some more later. For copying it, this picture is enough. Just get some simple materials, cut, bend and weld/fasten. That's all. You can replace the points/tips by any other tip/blade/etc.

jmc · Apr 22, 2005

Rob,

I horrified my organic wife by backhoeing the garden one spring. It looked nice but she was worried about disrupting some sort of organic layers that she reads about in "Annals of **** Gardening". Best crop of tomatoes we ever had that year and I believe I mention that to her once of twice.

John

hobbyfarm · Apr 22, 2005

RobS,
I got a neighbor who uses his equipment to tie out the goats he has. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Does this count?

hobbyfarm · Apr 22, 2005

( ...she reads about in "Annals of **** Gardening". )

I'm not sure I'd do any "**** Gardening". I can't beleive there's a book on it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

edski · Apr 22, 2005

Before I had a BH I used a PHD to bury my dog.
Basically a 2x3 swiss cheese pattern and busted the rest out w/ a shovel.
It was winter and options were limited.
I miss that dog.

Westonium · Apr 22, 2005

( ( John-
I am not quite following you. Could you expand a little. I have been trying to figure out how to make raised beds with an FEL. )
Till or plow the garden then put the loader perpendicular to where the row is going. Start at the end, put your bucket down with the cutting edge facing foward down on the soil and then curl the bucket so that it pulls the dirt up into a mound. Move over a little and do it again and again until you have the beds built up. It's not an ideal way to do it, but it works. Time consuming and takes some practice to get the beds the way you want them, but it can be done. John )

You should have mentioned this in my "Planting Bulbs" thread. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif It's a good thing I didn't waste my time with other nonsense - That is exactly what I am going to do.

This row of bulbs I am planting is on a semi-steep hill. I'm just going to back down it making little back-curls over and over so that I am making little 5' rows perpendicular to slope.

I can't believe I didn't think of that. I even used that technique to make angled "speed bumps" to divert water from running down the gravel/dirt driveway.