NEWBIES: what are the basic tools
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
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Donna
14 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years agoRelated Discussions
which tools-gagets, basic for newbee
Comments (9):) Well, on seeing all these excellent replies, I can see I overlooked a lot of things I do just have to have. They've covered most of it, but I'd like to add a few more things to that medicine dropper ... Trifocals with 500 magnification, and lots of bright light to work in are definitely needed if you're over 50, well say over 60. Forget the lights for plants here, this is light to see by. I've been thinking about that magnifying glass Stitz mentioned, but haven't popped for it yet, since I'm sure it would have hidden itself somewhere any time I needed it. Your own personal sink so you can have all the water you need without bumping into people or waiting for them to move out of your way when you're in a hurry. And space to leave stuff spread around in. Untouched by anyone else!!! Burning holes in plastic pots with a soldering iron is a really useful task. Orchids do appreciate the extra holes, as Mr. B says. However, I only found out I needed that this summer. A propane torch makes quick work of sterilizing tools. You do have to find a place for it where little hands can't find it, and you may have to persuade someone you won't be using to set fire to anything, honest, etc etc. But it's indispensable. (And haven't burned myself yet) A broom and dustpan of your very own-- you'll be using it often to clean up messes nearly everywhere. And a big thirsty dog towel for when the bucket handle breaks or the water can jumps out of your hand. LOL. Even the messes are fun, smittee....See MoreBasic question from Newbie
Comments (2)Root pruning can also be used to control the size of a tree. Pruned roots will only allow a proportionally small canopy to grow. But the tree is not usually dug up to accomplish this. A sharp spade or other cutting implement is used, severing the roots in the ground. But with a very vigorous plant (like a fig tree) this might be difficult to accomplish....See MoreNewbie Gardener with very basic questions
Comments (8)Hi, I live in the hill country, in southeastern Blanco County, so I'll answer the best I can. 1. We are going to bring in dirt. Should we just add dirt on top of what is already there, or should we till the old stuff and mix it up with the new dirt? ANSWER: Till up the old stuff, and pull out the grass and weed root, then dump in the new stuff and till it all in so that you mix it. 2. Can (should) we till a week or two before we actually plant? In other words, can we have the dirt delivered and do the tilling one weekend and do the planting 2-3 weekends later? Yes, you can do that. 3. Because of work and travel schedules, we are limited to putting in the beds either the first weekend in March or the last weekend in March. Which is better? Last weekend might be better weather and warmer, so I'd go with that. 4. We are not going to be putting in a sprinkler system, but were thinking of laying soaker hoses. In reading various posts on this forum, there seems to be a difference of opinion on whether those work or what type to get. Thoughts? Soakers are OK, but I've never been all that impressed with them. You could also do a hose sprinkler. One other important thing--look for deer-resistant plants and flowers, like red salvia and maybe some nice lavendar. Lavendar grows VERY well in the hill country and smells wonderful. Rosemary does well, too! Good luck! We moved out of Austin 2.5 years ago and I wish we could've done it sooner. I LOVE it out here....See MoreNewbie-- Can someone explain the basics
Comments (19)* Posted by billl (My Page) on Tue, Apr 20, 10 at 9:29 "The basics - voltage = current x resistance. Current passing through your heating element is what causes it to get hot. So, if you have an element that is designed to run on 220v and you try to use it on 110v (half the voltage) then you will get half the heat output. The other half is safety. Water heater elements typically have the element submerged in water and then the electrical connection protected. They don't just put an extension cord on it and toss it in the tank. Electricity takes the path of least resistance. The heating element has less resistance than air but more than water. As soon as the electrical connections from the element go into the water, the path of least resistance will become the water. If you touch the water, of if you touch a metal pan that touches the water, you could be in for a big shock. " ------------------------------------------------------- Okay great-- now I know what the 220 V is needed for. I always thought that if I were to plug something that required a 220 V to sustain it into a 110 V outlet that the power would go off out of the whole house or something. What is that called when it does that? Is it true that certain outlets or houses can nly handle certain elecrtical loads? What happens if you go above that limit? And are you sure that if one's hand or another metal pan were to go in the water that an electrical shock would ensue? If well sealed and soldered correctly and tight enough to keep away from the electrical wiring-- how can this be?...See Moremxk3 z5b_MI
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