Straw bales beds #1-4 with modifications in irrigation system.
Picture taken on April 15, 2021.
For years, we have been concerned that the water from the drip hoses between beds containing the straw bales has been flooding the area outside the beds, especially, in the walkways. Thoughts of various solutions had been rejected. Last week, came up with the idea of using PVC pipe between the beds.
Today, cut pieces out of 10 ft length of PVC pipes of diameter 1 in. depending on the distance between the straw bales in 1 bed to the straw bales in an adjacent bed. Had no problem moving the pieces along the drip hose on the left side of the straw bales in the above picture. Unfortunately, the connector of the drip hose along the right side had a diameter of 1 in. (I should have measured these connectors before we purchased the PVC pipe since there were PVC pipe with diameter 1.25 in. available!). Cut the drip hose close to the connector and then was able to install the pieces of the PVC pipe as on the left side of the straw bales. To rejoin the 2 pieces of the drip hose, used a piece of pipe (of length between 2 and 3 in.) that fit snuggly in the 2 pieces of the drip hose. Installed a hose clamp on one side of the cut. Went to Lowe’s to purchase another hose clamp which I will install tomorrow.
We also had purchased the PVC pipes from Lowe’s.
While doing the above, watered the straw bale beds #7-8. Will have to do something about the drip hose between straw bale bed #7 and 8. A lot of water poured on the ground from this section of the drip hose. While we were watering these straw bale beds, put one of the plants that we had purchased under the latter section so that it would be watered.
Covering of the straw bale beds #3-4.
Picture was taken on April 15, 2021.
It is predicted that the low for tonight was going to be 37o. Sharon and I covered the Tomatoes and Peppers which Sharon had planted in straw bale beds #3-4.
We took the other plants which we had purchased but not yet planted and placed them on the porch.