Had a long day at work on Thursday.
When I got home I was tired and grumpy.
Tanya met me as I got out of the car and told me the guy who farms our 17 1/2 tillable acres needed a couple trees cut down since they were combining soybeans and couldn't fit the combine in the other field.
We have a 2 1/2 acre field that is separated from the rest by an old fence row.
Usually it is farmed by the farmer on that side of our property who is the father of the guy who farms the other 15. But this year the father couldn't find any government program to help him on a 2 1/2 acre plot so the son added it to the other 15.
(Rolls eyes)
I guess you can't farm unless you are part of a government program of some sort. (rolls eyes even more)
Don't get me wrong, these guys are great people. I just don't hold with the agribusiness mindset.
Anyway I had to grab the Stihl and go make a 40' hole. Yes you read that right a 40' hole. They got the planter through the existing hole in the fence row but the super duper John Deere mega combine wouldn't fit.
Now I hate dropping trees, I much prefer to cut up stuff already down. Since if you are stupid or unlucky a tree can kill you.(see my last post to see I am stupid sometimes) I really hate cutting in an old fence row since the chance of hitting wire with the saw is almost certain.
Something real handy to have is a small set of bolt cutters. Mine cost $16 and they are much better at fence cutting than the old fence pliers I have in the workshop.
I was able to get the wire off the trees I needed to cut without any problems. I was really surprised that it wasn't grown in at all. Only problem turned out to be missing a couple pieces laying in the grass that I hit when I was cutting the stump lower.
The tractor flooded when I tried to start it(more roll eyes) so I had to use the truck to drag the two trees up to the house. This was all going on as it was getting dark and the combine was running and getting closer all the time. I finally got it cleaned up and he was able to get through just at dark. So the beans are off. Lots of stress after a long day.
Newer equipment needs lots of space. I like closed in places that offer cover for small game. Some day we will be able to afford to do our own farming with smaller equipment. Right now the rent we get pays the taxes and insurance on the farm. So we will keep it up for the time being since I have almost no equipment. Although I did see this morning an older small AC combine on craigslist for $800. Anyone want to buy it for me?
Still clinging to my God and my guns,
Randy
Showing posts with label wood cutting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wood cutting. Show all posts
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Stihl MS 310 Product review
Stihl MS 310 Chainsaw
The Stihl MS 310 is a Mid-range chainsaw combining power, quality and state of the art design features that make it a truly powerful firewood saw.
The MS 310 sports a powerful 59cc (3.6 cu. In) engine that puts out a respectable 4.0 BHP. With the power head weighing in at 13.0 lbs. it has a good power to weight ratio. The manufacturer recommends a bar length of 16" to 20" but many people have put on larger bars with some success.
I have the 20" bar on the saw I purchased and can attest to the power it possesses. This past winter I had three 20' lengths of dried Ash logs. I used my Poulan Pro 20" saw to try to cut these. I was able to make three and one half cuts on a tank of gas. (These were very hard logs) I purchased the Stihl MS 310 and the first thing I did was cut up the remaining logs with less than half a tank of gas. This is a very powerful saw. Logs in the picture were the next load pulled up. The ash logs were much bigger.
Stihl is an industry leader in quality. They are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. "This means they meet rigid international manufacturing, environmental and quality standards". Stihl has been the number one selling brand of chainsaw for many years, and quality is the reason. The quality of service is also outstanding. Stihl sells its chainsaws through independent dealers, not big box retailers. This means you can rest assured you are buying a chainsaw from the people who will actually be servicing it. They also have hands on experience with their product and can guide you in deciding which chainsaw is right for you.
The Stihl Ms 310 has state of the art features that will increase your firewood cutting efficiency.
First are the toolless fuel and oil caps. They have a flip-up top that makes them easy to grasp to open and close. The caps are also bayonet type without having to screw then on and off, just a push and twist and you are done. The flip tops felt a little flimsy to me and I can envision myself breaking one off. It took me a few times of filling the saw to get used to the bayonet caps. Twice I thought I had the oil cap secured but it popped off dumping the oil.
The next feature is the side-adjust chain tensioner. This is a screw slot between the two chain nuts that gives a quick, easy way to adjust the chain. Some of the other models have a Quick chain adjuster that is even easier to use, but it is not offered on the MS310. (yes I lost one of the bar nuts right away LOL but they gave me a new one free)
The last feature is the Intellicarb compensating carburetor." Measures air on clean side of air filter and adjusts metering diaphragm in carburetor". What this does is changes your air mixture as your air filter begins to plug up and allows the saw to continue to run on the same air fuel mixture for even power output. The air intake also has a setting for warm and cold weather to keep it running in top shape no matter your conditions.
The power, quality and features available on the Stihl MS 310 make it a top choice for the firewood cutter who wants to get the most for his money.
All quotes are from Stihl power tools and accessories booklet.
Still clinging to my God and my guns,
Randy
http://www.helium.com/items/1565588-stihl-chainsaw
The Stihl MS 310 is a Mid-range chainsaw combining power, quality and state of the art design features that make it a truly powerful firewood saw.
The MS 310 sports a powerful 59cc (3.6 cu. In) engine that puts out a respectable 4.0 BHP. With the power head weighing in at 13.0 lbs. it has a good power to weight ratio. The manufacturer recommends a bar length of 16" to 20" but many people have put on larger bars with some success.
I have the 20" bar on the saw I purchased and can attest to the power it possesses. This past winter I had three 20' lengths of dried Ash logs. I used my Poulan Pro 20" saw to try to cut these. I was able to make three and one half cuts on a tank of gas. (These were very hard logs) I purchased the Stihl MS 310 and the first thing I did was cut up the remaining logs with less than half a tank of gas. This is a very powerful saw. Logs in the picture were the next load pulled up. The ash logs were much bigger.
Stihl is an industry leader in quality. They are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. "This means they meet rigid international manufacturing, environmental and quality standards". Stihl has been the number one selling brand of chainsaw for many years, and quality is the reason. The quality of service is also outstanding. Stihl sells its chainsaws through independent dealers, not big box retailers. This means you can rest assured you are buying a chainsaw from the people who will actually be servicing it. They also have hands on experience with their product and can guide you in deciding which chainsaw is right for you.
The Stihl Ms 310 has state of the art features that will increase your firewood cutting efficiency.
First are the toolless fuel and oil caps. They have a flip-up top that makes them easy to grasp to open and close. The caps are also bayonet type without having to screw then on and off, just a push and twist and you are done. The flip tops felt a little flimsy to me and I can envision myself breaking one off. It took me a few times of filling the saw to get used to the bayonet caps. Twice I thought I had the oil cap secured but it popped off dumping the oil.
The next feature is the side-adjust chain tensioner. This is a screw slot between the two chain nuts that gives a quick, easy way to adjust the chain. Some of the other models have a Quick chain adjuster that is even easier to use, but it is not offered on the MS310. (yes I lost one of the bar nuts right away LOL but they gave me a new one free)
The last feature is the Intellicarb compensating carburetor." Measures air on clean side of air filter and adjusts metering diaphragm in carburetor". What this does is changes your air mixture as your air filter begins to plug up and allows the saw to continue to run on the same air fuel mixture for even power output. The air intake also has a setting for warm and cold weather to keep it running in top shape no matter your conditions.
The power, quality and features available on the Stihl MS 310 make it a top choice for the firewood cutter who wants to get the most for his money.
All quotes are from Stihl power tools and accessories booklet.
Still clinging to my God and my guns,
Randy
http://www.helium.com/items/1565588-stihl-chainsaw
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Article on probiotics and catch up
Yes it's been a tough winter.
I have finally started writing again.
Here is my latest, an article on probiotics.
The human body is full of countless bacteria, some harmful and many beneficial. Probiotics are microorganisms (mainly bacteria) that are the same or very similar to the good bacteria that lives in the human digestive tract or gut. They are available as supplements or can be found in foods you eat or can add to your diet.
Probiotics work in your gut to break down various substances in your food so that your body can absorb them better. They also compete with harmful bacteria and are especially useful during and following a round of antibiotics, because antibiotics tend to kill both good and bad bacteria. In many cases probiotics work like a mulch in your garden by preventing the weeds (bad bacteria) from growing while your vegetables (good bacteria) get a head start....
You can read more HERE
I went and spent some of our tax return and bought a Stihl ms 310 chainsaw.
There is a review coming.
I have to teach at church tonight, then preach Sunday night and then teach again next Wed.
I had a trip to the ER last week.
I was having chest, shoulder and arm pain. Turns out it was just a perfect storm of the little things that are wrong with me. My acid reflux, ulnar nerve problems and pulled muscle in my back from cutting wood. So things are ok health wise.
Tanya on the other hand is not getting any better with her allergies. It might be this old farm house with its damp basement and probable mold.
Dad said if it turns out to be the house to not feel like we have to keep the farm. I told him if we sell the farm we are going back to Colorado, and he said he knew that.
So if that happens we will work on homesteading and survival there, which was my original plan before my grandparents farm became available.
Tanya has started seeing an alternative treatment doctor that people on the allergy forum she is on have had good luck with. The really good thing is he's only 10 miles away and there are people driving 6 hours just to see him. So we will see what happens with that.
We are out of wood.
I had a delivery of 2 1/2 cords of sawmill slab-wood scheduled for Feb. 2nd but we got snowed in that week. I could get the 4x4 truck out but Tanya was stuck at the house all week and the dumptruck wouldn't come down our lane to deliver. We are burning propane now and had to have the service guy come to fix it before it would work right. ( I guess thats what we get for not using it for 3 years) I have another load of wood coming March 3rd so hopefully we will be back on the wood furnace then. The fields and woods are too muddy to cut in right now, maybe if we stay cold I can cut this weekend.
I think that about catches up.
Sorry I was so remiss in my posting.
I see we past 5000 visitors while I was gone, and lots of cool flags in the flag counter.
Randy
I have finally started writing again.
Here is my latest, an article on probiotics.
The human body is full of countless bacteria, some harmful and many beneficial. Probiotics are microorganisms (mainly bacteria) that are the same or very similar to the good bacteria that lives in the human digestive tract or gut. They are available as supplements or can be found in foods you eat or can add to your diet.
Probiotics work in your gut to break down various substances in your food so that your body can absorb them better. They also compete with harmful bacteria and are especially useful during and following a round of antibiotics, because antibiotics tend to kill both good and bad bacteria. In many cases probiotics work like a mulch in your garden by preventing the weeds (bad bacteria) from growing while your vegetables (good bacteria) get a head start....
You can read more HERE
I went and spent some of our tax return and bought a Stihl ms 310 chainsaw.
There is a review coming.
I have to teach at church tonight, then preach Sunday night and then teach again next Wed.
I had a trip to the ER last week.
I was having chest, shoulder and arm pain. Turns out it was just a perfect storm of the little things that are wrong with me. My acid reflux, ulnar nerve problems and pulled muscle in my back from cutting wood. So things are ok health wise.
Tanya on the other hand is not getting any better with her allergies. It might be this old farm house with its damp basement and probable mold.
Dad said if it turns out to be the house to not feel like we have to keep the farm. I told him if we sell the farm we are going back to Colorado, and he said he knew that.
So if that happens we will work on homesteading and survival there, which was my original plan before my grandparents farm became available.
Tanya has started seeing an alternative treatment doctor that people on the allergy forum she is on have had good luck with. The really good thing is he's only 10 miles away and there are people driving 6 hours just to see him. So we will see what happens with that.
We are out of wood.
I had a delivery of 2 1/2 cords of sawmill slab-wood scheduled for Feb. 2nd but we got snowed in that week. I could get the 4x4 truck out but Tanya was stuck at the house all week and the dumptruck wouldn't come down our lane to deliver. We are burning propane now and had to have the service guy come to fix it before it would work right. ( I guess thats what we get for not using it for 3 years) I have another load of wood coming March 3rd so hopefully we will be back on the wood furnace then. The fields and woods are too muddy to cut in right now, maybe if we stay cold I can cut this weekend.
I think that about catches up.
Sorry I was so remiss in my posting.
I see we past 5000 visitors while I was gone, and lots of cool flags in the flag counter.
Randy
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Still kicking
Sorry It has been so long since my last post.
Been fighting health and weather here on the home place.
Firewood is my life in the winter this year. Any chance I get when it's daylight I go cut wood (if I'm not sick)
Everyone needs to remember that your best laid plans usually don't take into consideration being down sick, and once that happens the plan goes out the window. Even just a sinus infection like I had/have where my endurance dropped to almost nothing will mess things up. I wasn't what I would call sick since I still could function pretty good, but I sure couldn't do any physical labor for very long.
I am going to buy a Stihl 310 with our tax money.
The Poulan is an ok saw but it just can't handle the workload I need it to. I have a couple large logs I drug up to the house with the tractor. I tried to cut them up with my poulan and it used one tank of gas for every 5 cuts. The saw will cut it in an emergency but not something I want to do every day. So I shopped around online and I'm pretty sure the Stihl 310 is what I want. Echo doesn't make one the size I want and husky is slightly smaller and only $40 less so I decided why not get the best.
We got the van stuck in the driveway Sunday after church. Our 1/3 mile long lane was drifted shut so I walked up the the house in my cowboy boots and light coat and got the truck. I busted through the drifts and run up and down the lane twice. Then my sister went up and down it twice with her little 4x4 nissan. By then I figured the van would make it through if I went fast enough. LOL Well I didn't go fast enough I guess. I had to drive the truck to work on Monday because the van was plugging the lane.
We have great neighbors that come and use their behemoth tractors with snowblowers on them and clean out the lane. One of them came Monday and cleaned out up to the van on both sides. Tanya and my sister got it out before I got home from work.
It was below zero here for about 3 days with heavy winds. I decided if we were going to have Gunnison weather I at least wanted to live there. In case you didn't know we are from Gunnison Colorado and moved onto this farm when my grandparents went into the nursing home. And we are very homesick this winter.
We were planning on building a homestead in the mountains and we still may do just that someday when we can afford to live there again.
That about catches up for now.
Still clinging to my God and my guns,
Randy
Been fighting health and weather here on the home place.
Firewood is my life in the winter this year. Any chance I get when it's daylight I go cut wood (if I'm not sick)
Everyone needs to remember that your best laid plans usually don't take into consideration being down sick, and once that happens the plan goes out the window. Even just a sinus infection like I had/have where my endurance dropped to almost nothing will mess things up. I wasn't what I would call sick since I still could function pretty good, but I sure couldn't do any physical labor for very long.
I am going to buy a Stihl 310 with our tax money.
The Poulan is an ok saw but it just can't handle the workload I need it to. I have a couple large logs I drug up to the house with the tractor. I tried to cut them up with my poulan and it used one tank of gas for every 5 cuts. The saw will cut it in an emergency but not something I want to do every day. So I shopped around online and I'm pretty sure the Stihl 310 is what I want. Echo doesn't make one the size I want and husky is slightly smaller and only $40 less so I decided why not get the best.
We got the van stuck in the driveway Sunday after church. Our 1/3 mile long lane was drifted shut so I walked up the the house in my cowboy boots and light coat and got the truck. I busted through the drifts and run up and down the lane twice. Then my sister went up and down it twice with her little 4x4 nissan. By then I figured the van would make it through if I went fast enough. LOL Well I didn't go fast enough I guess. I had to drive the truck to work on Monday because the van was plugging the lane.
We have great neighbors that come and use their behemoth tractors with snowblowers on them and clean out the lane. One of them came Monday and cleaned out up to the van on both sides. Tanya and my sister got it out before I got home from work.
It was below zero here for about 3 days with heavy winds. I decided if we were going to have Gunnison weather I at least wanted to live there. In case you didn't know we are from Gunnison Colorado and moved onto this farm when my grandparents went into the nursing home. And we are very homesick this winter.
We were planning on building a homestead in the mountains and we still may do just that someday when we can afford to live there again.
That about catches up for now.
Still clinging to my God and my guns,
Randy
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Still sick
I've been struggling to get wood.
I got an antibiotic from the doctor for a sinus infection Monday.
Monday night and Tuesday were horrible I was in so much pain.
Kinda weird headache and joint and muscle pain.
So I have been neglecting the blogs until I am healthier.
I have no stamina to cut wood.
In November I could cut three loads a day by myself and still felt like I could do more.
You know the old saying about a team of horses "leave one good pull in them" so I did three and called it good.
New Years eve I was able to cut about 2/3 of a load, New Years day almost a full load.
Since then I have pulled up three logs with the tractor and that wore me out.
I have to go out here in a couple minutes and cut enough off of them to last until I get home tonight and repeat the process for overnight. Using a chainsaw in the dark is an accident waiting to happen especially while I am sick but no one else will do it.
I have a dumptruck load off slab wood being delivered Feb. 3rd so I just have to hold on till then.
I ordered three all together spaced a month apart.
I really hate writing this because it seems like I'm doing a lot of whining, but if someone learns something from it.(like whatever you do keep a winters supply of wood on hand) I guess it's worth some thinking less of me.
Still clinging to my God and my guns
Randy
I got an antibiotic from the doctor for a sinus infection Monday.
Monday night and Tuesday were horrible I was in so much pain.
Kinda weird headache and joint and muscle pain.
So I have been neglecting the blogs until I am healthier.
I have no stamina to cut wood.
In November I could cut three loads a day by myself and still felt like I could do more.
You know the old saying about a team of horses "leave one good pull in them" so I did three and called it good.
New Years eve I was able to cut about 2/3 of a load, New Years day almost a full load.
Since then I have pulled up three logs with the tractor and that wore me out.
I have to go out here in a couple minutes and cut enough off of them to last until I get home tonight and repeat the process for overnight. Using a chainsaw in the dark is an accident waiting to happen especially while I am sick but no one else will do it.
I have a dumptruck load off slab wood being delivered Feb. 3rd so I just have to hold on till then.
I ordered three all together spaced a month apart.
I really hate writing this because it seems like I'm doing a lot of whining, but if someone learns something from it.(like whatever you do keep a winters supply of wood on hand) I guess it's worth some thinking less of me.
Still clinging to my God and my guns
Randy
Thursday, December 11, 2008
A couple things
First I would like to touch on the post I did on the government taking your food. HERE
The local media has finally picked it up sort of. It is on the plain dealer's blog site. The Lorain S.O. spokesman tries to defend the raid. Read it here LINK
Kinda funny....
First he says "We don't even have semiautomatic weapons," he said.
What S.O. does not own semi auto weapons?? Are we that stupid?
Next
"Resendez said four deputies conducted the search over three or four hours -- not the nine"
Problem is the police report provided lists 11 deputies who took part.
Yes I trust the government.........(I need a rolly eyes)
The really good stuff is reading the comments at the bottom.
There are some good freedom loving folks who stand up for individual freedoms, then there are the socialist collective new world order sheep who keep bleating for the government to protect them.
I'll leave you with that for now.
The other literally cool thing going on is my furnace died last night.
Not the wood furnace but the blower on the gas furnace that moves the hot air for the wood furnace.
I noticed getting ready for bed last night it was cooler than normal and checking the thermostat confirmed it was below the setting.
I went down in the basement and checked the breaker and it was OK so I pulled the cover off of the furnace and I hear the motor clicking when I put in the safety button. If I throw the switch on the side of it I hear the motor humming but nothing else.
This is an area (among others) that I am a complete idiot. I put in a call to the plumbing and heating place and told them I could wait till morning. More $$$ out the door. The hot water is still hot since the wood furnace is still going so I had a hot shower and where the piping runs under the floor it is warm. So to my surprise it only fell to 59 in here so far.
Still clinging to my God and my guns
Randy
The local media has finally picked it up sort of. It is on the plain dealer's blog site. The Lorain S.O. spokesman tries to defend the raid. Read it here LINK
Kinda funny....
First he says "We don't even have semiautomatic weapons," he said.
What S.O. does not own semi auto weapons?? Are we that stupid?
Next
"Resendez said four deputies conducted the search over three or four hours -- not the nine"
Problem is the police report provided lists 11 deputies who took part.
Yes I trust the government.........(I need a rolly eyes)
The really good stuff is reading the comments at the bottom.
There are some good freedom loving folks who stand up for individual freedoms, then there are the socialist collective new world order sheep who keep bleating for the government to protect them.
I'll leave you with that for now.
The other literally cool thing going on is my furnace died last night.
Not the wood furnace but the blower on the gas furnace that moves the hot air for the wood furnace.
I noticed getting ready for bed last night it was cooler than normal and checking the thermostat confirmed it was below the setting.
I went down in the basement and checked the breaker and it was OK so I pulled the cover off of the furnace and I hear the motor clicking when I put in the safety button. If I throw the switch on the side of it I hear the motor humming but nothing else.
This is an area (among others) that I am a complete idiot. I put in a call to the plumbing and heating place and told them I could wait till morning. More $$$ out the door. The hot water is still hot since the wood furnace is still going so I had a hot shower and where the piping runs under the floor it is warm. So to my surprise it only fell to 59 in here so far.
Still clinging to my God and my guns
Randy
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The last two weeks have been a challenge
On an up note we will hit 2500 page views today!!!!
WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!
It started two weeks ago when I fell will trying to catch the cat as it ran up the stairs.
I hit the elbow that has been giving me trouble. I don't know what the problem is with it but it aches and is warm.
The fall has healed. (the trouble with the elbow preceded the fall)
After that dad came over and we cut wood. We pulled up 13 logs with the tractor, problem is I have burnt most of them. LOL
Here they are after I cut most of them into lengths.
Picture of the Ford 9N dad restored for me. It's what I use for most of my farm work.
The next week was Thanksgiving so I didn't get any wood cut.
Friday I had the kids help me pick the last of the corn. They didn't want to help but I kept telling them that this is what families do, they work together. They did as much as 7,5 and 3 yo kids could do.
Saturday we had "Thanksmas" most of my cousins and there kids came over to my Grandma's house and we had a second Thanksgiving. I went out in the woods early and cut a load of wood that morning (good thing)
Monday rolled around and I tweeked my back while I was loading the furnace. Now I have a messed up elbow and a sore back. Going to be interesting cutting wood this weekend.
Here is the furnace with the wind break we built behind it.
I'm done with my little pity party now....
Still clinging to my God and my guns
Randy
WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!
It started two weeks ago when I fell will trying to catch the cat as it ran up the stairs.
I hit the elbow that has been giving me trouble. I don't know what the problem is with it but it aches and is warm.
The fall has healed. (the trouble with the elbow preceded the fall)
After that dad came over and we cut wood. We pulled up 13 logs with the tractor, problem is I have burnt most of them. LOL
Here they are after I cut most of them into lengths.
Picture of the Ford 9N dad restored for me. It's what I use for most of my farm work.
The next week was Thanksgiving so I didn't get any wood cut.
Friday I had the kids help me pick the last of the corn. They didn't want to help but I kept telling them that this is what families do, they work together. They did as much as 7,5 and 3 yo kids could do.
Saturday we had "Thanksmas" most of my cousins and there kids came over to my Grandma's house and we had a second Thanksgiving. I went out in the woods early and cut a load of wood that morning (good thing)
Monday rolled around and I tweeked my back while I was loading the furnace. Now I have a messed up elbow and a sore back. Going to be interesting cutting wood this weekend.
Here is the furnace with the wind break we built behind it.
I'm done with my little pity party now....
Still clinging to my God and my guns
Randy
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Guest post from Scoutinlife
John and I have traded guest posts on our respective blogs.
I have known him online for a few years now since we are members of a couple shared forums.
You can see a link to his blog in the right hand column.
********************************************************
What To Do With Fireplace Ashes
Depending on where you live, a wood fireplace or stove can be a
*relatively* great option for heating and quite economical;
particularly if you're fortunate enough to have easy access to a to a
woodlot to supply your fire wood needs..
The ashes left behind from a wood fire are also a valuable and
versatile by-product don't just throw them away indiscriminately;
here's some great uses for your ash!Use appropriate caution, spot test
etc.
1.Spread them on an icy patch in the walk or driveway?
2. If you have chickens put it in their dusting area to keep mites off of them.
3. Wood ash has potash and other minerals in it, but it will make the
soil more alkaline.
4.Don't forget the compost pile. You can dump them there, along with
droppings, leaf cuttings, hair cuttings, the vacuum cleaner bag
dumpings, old table scraps (except meat or fatty, cheese, dairy) grass
clippings, bone meal, blood meal and/or fertilizer. Get good soil from
old junk.
5.If you're so inclined to make your on soap you can leech them with
water to make lye.
6. Do you grow any raspberries? They *love* woodash!
Ash contains potash (potassium carbonate), phosphate, iron, manganese,
boron, copper and zinc and can be quite beneficial as a natural
fertilizer... sometimes. Wood ash increases the pH or alkalinity of
soil, so use sparingly.
I have known him online for a few years now since we are members of a couple shared forums.
You can see a link to his blog in the right hand column.
********************************************************
What To Do With Fireplace Ashes
Depending on where you live, a wood fireplace or stove can be a
*relatively* great option for heating and quite economical;
particularly if you're fortunate enough to have easy access to a to a
woodlot to supply your fire wood needs..
The ashes left behind from a wood fire are also a valuable and
versatile by-product don't just throw them away indiscriminately;
here's some great uses for your ash!Use appropriate caution, spot test
etc.
1.Spread them on an icy patch in the walk or driveway?
2. If you have chickens put it in their dusting area to keep mites off of them.
3. Wood ash has potash and other minerals in it, but it will make the
soil more alkaline.
4.Don't forget the compost pile. You can dump them there, along with
droppings, leaf cuttings, hair cuttings, the vacuum cleaner bag
dumpings, old table scraps (except meat or fatty, cheese, dairy) grass
clippings, bone meal, blood meal and/or fertilizer. Get good soil from
old junk.
5.If you're so inclined to make your on soap you can leech them with
water to make lye.
6. Do you grow any raspberries? They *love* woodash!
Ash contains potash (potassium carbonate), phosphate, iron, manganese,
boron, copper and zinc and can be quite beneficial as a natural
fertilizer... sometimes. Wood ash increases the pH or alkalinity of
soil, so use sparingly.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Coyote trapping
I wrote a very general article on coyote trapping. LINK
If I write enough of these things it would be pretty easy to put out a trapping book.
About $15 covering just about everything I know. Well we'll see what happens.
More firewood today.
I cut three pickup loads of red oak last weekend.
I left the last load in the truck and fed the furnace from it. I have about 1/3 of it left.
I cut most of the smaller stuff off of the main trunks laying down in the woods.
I will use the tractor to pull the trunks up to the house for cutting the bigger stuff.
When dad brings his big saw over he can zip through them without too much problem.
Last year we had fun trying to pull some of the really big ones up with the tractor.
One big one kept pulling the front wheels of the tractor up in the air. So we hooked my sister Annette's Nissan truck to the front of the tractor with a tow strap just to hold it down.
Tanya got a hilarious video of it on our cell phone.
Still haven't gotten all my corn in.
It's dark by the time I get home from work. Gonna have to pay the kids to do it.
Still clinging to my God and my guns
Randy
If I write enough of these things it would be pretty easy to put out a trapping book.
About $15 covering just about everything I know. Well we'll see what happens.
More firewood today.
I cut three pickup loads of red oak last weekend.
I left the last load in the truck and fed the furnace from it. I have about 1/3 of it left.
I cut most of the smaller stuff off of the main trunks laying down in the woods.
I will use the tractor to pull the trunks up to the house for cutting the bigger stuff.
When dad brings his big saw over he can zip through them without too much problem.
Last year we had fun trying to pull some of the really big ones up with the tractor.
One big one kept pulling the front wheels of the tractor up in the air. So we hooked my sister Annette's Nissan truck to the front of the tractor with a tow strap just to hold it down.
Tanya got a hilarious video of it on our cell phone.
Still haven't gotten all my corn in.
It's dark by the time I get home from work. Gonna have to pay the kids to do it.
Still clinging to my God and my guns
Randy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)