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I don’t have a problem with using gas with ethanol in newer motor vehicles that are driven regularly. It is bad news it it sits for a long time in the vehicle and is bad news in small engines. I keep a 5 gallon can of ethanol free gas for mowers and other small engines or to blend for 2 cycle engines. I also add Stabil to that can in case I forget to use it up.
Mirrors my experience. Pity the farmers who are reliant on ethanol income. A technology change could cut their legs out from under them.
 
Checked elderberrys started from cuttings last year - about 50 - now that weeds are still down enough to see them. Rabbits/voles got a few over the winter. Still, even those might make it. C'mon Spring !
My grandmother used to make elderberry wine. I think it would rival Granny's rumitiz medicine, or the Baldwin's recipe.
 
I put a cut off switch (valve) on my tiller and mower. There are parts to these engines that don't need continuous soaking by ethanol enhanced gasoline.
my old 1972 Craftsman 8hp tiller came with a cut off valve and glass sediment bowl in one housing. the carb has a drain bowl screw too. i accidently dropped that glass bowl and broke it on the garage floor way back when. had to make a almuminum plate and gasket to take it's place. then last year had to put new shut off and filter on it. this big old tiller keeps on running like new.
 
started about 3,000 tomato plants in mid March, they're in the upstairs with lights until I feel the greenhouse won't go below 45 at night. Planted my peppers and Eggplant a little late, so they're still coming up. Iceberg, Romaine, and Bibb lettuce, Kale and Cabbage are out in the greenhouse sprouting now. Still need to get my first round of Broccoli and Cauliflower started. Supposed to have about 60 cubic yards of compost delivered on Monday, hopefully the rain holds off long enough to let the ground dry down enough to spread it. Then it'll be time to plant Onions, peas, and carrots. Radishes will follow at the end of April. I even got a couple packets of 'baccy seeds to grow more (haven't grown my own in a few years, but I'm tired of paying store prices). Farmer's Markets start in June, Whoot-Whoot!

Here's hoping it's a successful year for everyone!
 
View attachment 133730Yep! Punkin, corn and tater patch. Other veggies are grown in another garden up by the house. Below are some of last year’s goods.View attachment 133731View attachment 133732
I'm planning on something like that at the farm. I found a Dayton 2 bottom plow last fall and already have a 4 foot tiller. Do you have loaded tires on your tractor? I have a 950 Deere and have been told I will need to get the tires loaded to pull the plow. What's your take?

Also, how bad do the deer work over the squash?
 
Yes, I have fluid in all 4 tires. Couldn’t do any heavy work without it. You have to be able to transfer that horsepower to the ground.

A big dog keeps deer away. If she ain’t asleep.
 
I put a cut off switch (valve) on my tiller and mower. There are parts to these engines that don't need continuous soaking by ethanol enhanced gasoline.
My snow blower came with one. Probably because its use is unpredictable, seasonal and sporadic. But it also has a priming pump which makes starting a lot easier after you open the valve.
 
started about 3,000 tomato plants in mid March, they're in the upstairs with lights until I feel the greenhouse won't go below 45 at night. Planted my peppers and Eggplant a little late, so they're still coming up. Iceberg, Romaine, and Bibb lettuce, Kale and Cabbage are out in the greenhouse sprouting now. Still need to get my first round of Broccoli and Cauliflower started. Supposed to have about 60 cubic yards of compost delivered on Monday, hopefully the rain holds off long enough to let the ground dry down enough to spread it. Then it'll be time to plant Onions, peas, and carrots. Radishes will follow at the end of April. I even got a couple packets of 'baccy seeds to grow more (haven't grown my own in a few years, but I'm tired of paying store prices). Farmer's Markets start in June, Whoot-Whoot!

Here's hoping it's a successful year for everyone!
Wow! You are a farmer, not a gardner!!
 
I'm planning on something like that at the farm. I found a Dayton 2 bottom plow last fall and already have a 4 foot tiller. Do you have loaded tires on your tractor? I have a 950 Deere and have been told I will need to get the tires loaded to pull the plow. What's your take?

Also, how bad do the deer work over the squash?

Pilot, loading the tires depends on several things. Loading tires has always been my last choice for improved traction if calcium chloride is used. Non-corrosive loading fluids are a much preferred choice. Smaller wheel weights that can be added or removed is preferred, if needed. If you have tire chains available they add considerable weight to the rear tires and can be removed after mud season.
* Plow - makes a big difference on the size of the bottoms. 2 bottom plows come with 12", 14" 16" & 18" bottoms. Your tractor is 31Hp Eng, 27Hp PTO and should pull 2x16" bottoms in all but the heaviest clay. Measure along the shear or from beam to beam to determine size.
* Tires - your tractor has two rear sizes listed 11.2x24 and 12.4x28. The bigger tires will have a larger foot print and weigh more, putting the weight where it's needed.
* Your tractor should have "draft control". Supposed to be center (top) link sensing. If so, there will be a lever near the rock shaft controls that has a 'position' or 'depth' setting and a variable 'draft' position. Draft control shifts the weight of the plow and suction of the bottoms to the rear tires, and makes a HUGE difference in how much plow you can pull.
* You may need to add weight to the front end, depending on 2WD or 4WD. 4WD has an extra 300lbs up front, and that makes a difference. Really important as the plow it self gets heavier. Big difference between a plow with a light frame and one built more rugged with a heavy frame. Check out Tractorhouse 2 Bottom plows to see how much they can vary in construction.
Hope that helps, NE
 
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I'm going to try something today that I've never done.In the past I've always grew Okra from seeds . I bought 20 plants yesterday and will see how the transplants do. I read somewhere that Okra don't transplants well.
 
Doing a hugelkultur kinda sorta type of raised beds operation inside the bambi barriers. Designed them to work for a few years before rebuilding. As the base layer deteriorates and it all settles and the soil level drops will keep raking in composted materials on top.
 
Snowed yesterday so no idea when the outside growing season will start.
Indoor grow also very slow, guess they feel the outside temps.
Many people starting to do hydroponics.
Started a time lapse of indoor grow.
2.5 days.
 
Hope that helps, NE
Yes, that helps a lot.

My tractor is two wheel drive, but I have a front end loader on it. I think the tires are the smaller size. I'm 100 miles away from it right now, so can't say for sure. I was going to hook up the plow last weekend, but turkeys and wet ground got in the way.

I hope to plant a lot of different squash there in the next month or so. Most of what I grow, I can grow here in the burbs in my back yard garden. I have a lot of deer at the farm, so I'm concerned I will be mostly feeding them. No fencing in place at the moment. Actually, lots of critters. Raccoons, possums, deer, ground hogs, not so many rabbits, too many coyotes.

Something always seems to get in the way of me doing too much there. Lack of round tuits, mostly.

One more thing. Beet juice for loading tires seems to be the thing now days in areas that get as cold as north Missouri. Ever hear of any negative stuff about that?
 
I'm going to try something today that I've never done.In the past I've always grew Okra from seeds . I bought 20 plants yesterday and will see how the transplants do. I read somewhere that Okra don't transplants well.
Well I did it, those little okra plants are now in the ground. Now it's time for a well-deserved nap.
 
* Your front end loader is plenty of weight for the front end.
* I always told myself if my farming gets in the way of my hunting, my farming was 'too big'. I 'like' farming - I 'love' hunting. I had to remind myself of that a few years ago when I realized I was only getting a couple of days of hunting a year. YMMV
* Other than expense, I have only heard good things about beet juice. I prefer weight that can be added / removed as necessary. It is best to run only the weight necessary to get the job done. Excess weight is bad for the economy and longevity of a tractor. You will go through more tires, fuel, and repair parts with an unnecessarily ballasted tractor. It really makes a big difference, like a tractor that's worn out and ready for the salvage yard @ 7000hrs, vs one that's still going strong at 10,000hrs.
* Electric fence powered by a solar charger. Probably can pick up some used equipment cheap, or purchase new at farm store. Of the 2 diagrams below, the 1st comes from a book on deer fencing - and I have used it myself and found it effective. The second is an idea of mine, but have not tried it yet. Probably try it this year because it should be easier to build and keep from getting over-grown with weeds. Weeds are an issue with electric fence, and can be controlled by mowing or Roundup.

Deer Fence.jpg
 
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