OK, How deep should I dig the holes for my new clothes line?
LOVE to see this sort of enthusiasm for energy efficient laundry. If you already have your poles, your maximum depth is going to be related to how long the poles are. Don't skimp, go a few feet at least. The recommendation for fence poles is a minimum of 30 inches. How hard the digging will be has a lot do do with your soil. My rule of thumb for any project is don't plan to have it done before lunch. So then if it is not moving at all by lunch, you've already planned to bring in pizza or get sandwiches, and can sit and mull it over. Be sure to get all the instruction you can from the rental yard. And read this... looks like great instructions and hints: http://www.taylorrental.com/tip_detail.a...
I dug two 3 foot deep holes for a clothes line and hit water. What to do next?
When I was digging the holes with the post hole digger, everything was dry. I even stuck my arm way down in the holes to check them out. I left to return the post hole digger to the rent a store and when I came back, water was in the hole. I asked my boyfriend to come look and he said I must have hit an underground spring or something. There is a well about 20 feet from the holes I dug today. Ok so now what, do I go ahead and put the concrete in tommorrow or dig new holes in a dry spot. I am sure there are no water lines under the holes because the city man said I am about 30 yards away from the water lines. Everyone thinks this is amusing and I am just pissed. I have put a lot of work into the clothes line. Should I just go ahead and put the concrete in or start all over? The post hole digger was a monster for me to handle. It was heavy and almost threw me over. Plus I paid $30 to rent it for 2 hours.
Is it against the law to pour salt on my neighbor's garden?
I think what you're really asking, is "How can I grow tomatoes that are as good as my neighbors?" I like the idea of asking him how he grows such beautiful tomatoes. Baring that, here's some tomato advice. Add compost to your soil, but make sure it's "cured" compost. Any manure is good but not fresh manure. Don't just pick up manure at a barn of any kind and put it near your tomatoes. It will burn them. After adding compost, i.e. manure, old hay, grass cuttings, etc. that have been allowed to rot well, till your garden as deep as you can, at least 6 in. Add some good complete fertilizer to the row. 13-13-13 is good to till in, or add osmacote when you plant. Plant your tomatoes at least 3 feet apart, 4 is better. Select healthy plants. Look for plants that aren't leggy and tall. You want short, stocky plants. Try to find plants that are outside, they will be hardened off to the weather. Plant the plants deep. Only the top 2 leaf branches should be showing above the soil. Mulch, place hay, grass clippings etc, around the plants to retard weed growth and stake them with a pole or support at least 4-6' high. Keep them watered but not wet. Watch for insects or diseases. Keep them pruned, i.e. remove the "suckers" that appear where the leaf branches meet the main stem. I have no idea where you are or what your soil is like. This is general advice. I'd still recomment you get to know your neighbor and ask him what he does and watch how he does it. You could make a good friend. Another thing you could do is contact your local Cooperative Extension Service and see if they have a Master Gardener organization. You'll find the County Agent listed under your county name in the phone book. They are always willing to help anyone with gardening problems. Good luck this spring.
Building a deck in wet soil - help?
've built a couple of decks before, but this house has a mild slope down the backyard, and there is a little creek/wetlands-type area behind the house. I'm afraid that when I place the posts for the far end of the deck, the soil will be too moist and it may sink/settle over time, even with the posts sunk into concrete (as I've done in the past). Anyone with experience in this area? The posts won't be in water, but the soil is definitely moist back there (but not closer to the house where the deck will start). Also, I've always used treated wood. Would composites be better here? Just for the decking? Do you use composites for the posts and beams, too? Thanks for your help.
What happens if you don't get a Tetanus shot after getting cut with rusty metal?
Maybe nothing.But you could get tetanus, and once you get it, even if they manage to save you, you may still wish you had died. Dying of tetanus may be the most painful way to die on the planet.Here is a painting done in 1809 of a person dying of tetanus. Painting done by his doctor. The position is called opistothonus.Why does he look like this? Your muscles ‘fire’ to contract, i.e., shorten. Then a chemical in your muscles is released to relax your muscles. What the tetanus toxin does is to prevent that chemical from being released, so your muscles fire, contract, and NEVER LET GO.Back muscles are stronger than stomach muscles, so you arch your back.If you are in really good shape, too bad, because you leg muscles can contract so strongly that they will BREAK. YOUR. THIGH. BONES, the strongest bones in your body.Imagine a ‘Charley Horse’ in every muscle in your body, 24 hours a day, for days on end.And there is almost nothing that can be done to spare you. Eventually, your diaphragm contacts, and never lets go, so you quit breathing.Getting to this blissful stage often takes 3 days. 3 days of the worst pain imaginable.(BTW, we know the chemical that’s released, and could give it to you, but then, you would stop breathing, which presents it’s own set of problems)Personally, I think the vaccine shot is the way to go, but hey, to you anti-vaxxers out there, it’s your call. Just don’t do this to your kids, please.BTW, the bacteria that causes tetanus, Clostridium tetani, is a common soil living bacteria. It’s in the ground everywhere. It’s NOT rust that causes tetanus, but a rusty nail indicates it’s been in contact with the soil for a period of time, and thus likely has C. tetani on it.C. Tetani is an anaerobic bacteria, meaning that Oxygen is poisonous to it. If you get a scratch, tetanus is very, very unlikely, because of the Oxygen. But a puncture, like from a nail, creates an oxygen-free atmosphere in the wound, just perfect for C. Tetani to grow and thrive.Tetanus can be ‘treated’ today, but 2/3 of patients still die, and those that survive typically spend 6–8 weeks in the hospital, mostly on a ventilator, with about 3–4 weeks in a induced coma, followed by 4–6 months in rehab. Personally, I think getting the vaccine is easier.BTW, there is a variation of this disease called infantile tetanus. New borns can get it from, for example, non-sterile scissors used to cut their umbilical cord. I will spare you the pictures.
How long does a new septic tank can last?
As you have probably figured out by now, septic systems, properly installed and used can last as long as you need it, and probably as long as the next people that inhabit that home need it. The secret to maintaining a septic system in good shape is to have a separate tank for the grey water, with only the waste water and such going into the septic tank itself. Grey water being water from showers, bathing, dish washing, clothes washing, that sort of thing, where much detergent and frequently, additives like bleach, fabric softeners, etc, etc, are used as well. Many of the things used for bathing, hand & clothes washing, and others, are very caustic to the system that is established in a well functioning septic tank. They can throw off the balance of solids and liquids that make up the fermentation and decomposition actions that a septic needs to function well. Use of a garbage disposal is not a good idea as it is often looked at as a dumping ground for many things that again, will harm the eco-system in the septic tank. If you do these things and don't get crazy, you can use a septic system for many, many years and not even think about it. And you don't need to waste your money on additives either, they don't work anyway.
What's the best substrate for planted aquarium with fish?
I've got a 150 gallon tank and would like to plant a nice aquatic garden and then add fish. The more research I do, the more options I come up with, the more confusing it becomes. Everything from speciality products like eco-complete to play box sand, kitty litter, garden loam - help! Real life suggestions from real people would be greatly appreciated. (I really don't think I would ever try the kitty litter, but some people use it...) Thanks.