Brass quick couplers

Dec 312007

If you mess about a lot with hoses, you can save a lot of time with quick couplers. I’ve only used these brass ones with zero problems, and there are plastic versions which may be just durable. In my case, where I’m more or less hand irrigating a couple of acres, dragging around and joining 100′ hoses, and attaching a variety of sprinklers and shut-off valves, they’re a luxury. I do wonder if I’m significantly reducing water flow by having several inline, haven’t figured that part out yet, but there’s no obvious noticeable difference. The couplers also come in handy for changing nozzles on a single hose, like in the greenhouse, where I regularly use a gun-type nozzle, water breaker, fan head and watering wand. In this application, an inline mini shutoff valve placed between the hose and the female fitting completes the convenience. They come in pairs, but you probably need way more male fittings. I get mine at Lee Valley (click the link), where you can get singles. I’ve seen the same ones at hardware stores. Get extra step washers as well!

Redhead water breaker

Hand tools, Irrigation & Watering, Seed starting No Responses »

Dec 292007

Water seedlings quickly, with no flattened plants! The Dramm Redhead water breaker catalog description is, in my experience, perfectly accurate: “Softest flow of any water breaker that we have tested while still offering enough water volume. Perfect for all watering needs, especially for young seedlings. Stainless steel screen for years of reliable use.” The flow is high volume and incredibly low pressure and gentle. Admittedly, as I often water from a well, the water pressure is quite low to begin with, but I also use it with the pond pump, which puts out 50-60 psi (luxury!), and the Redhead is excellent. And, I’ve had the same head for three or four years banging around in the greenhouse and out in the field with no problems. Continue reading »

Bug clothing

Clothing, Pest control No Responses »

Dec 242007

This gear really works! Bug clothing is made of a fine polyester mesh that forms a formidable barrier between mosquitoes (and black flies!) and your skin. It’s a simple concept. I’ve had a set, jacket and pants, for a few years now (the link is to Lee Valley, where I got mine, but I’m sure it’s available elsewhere as well). I don’t think I’ve ever worn the pants, because I’m usually in the field in overalls or jeans. But I can recommend the top. With hood up and zipped, it’s light, loose, and soon forgotten about, as are the biting bugs. In fact, only the mesh over your face takes a few minutes getting used to before you stop noticing it. Just don’t spit!

Analog weather station

Weather No Responses »

Dec 242007

Weather station

This compact weather station is one handy and entertaining little item. Some may consider it no more than a toy, or even a waste of money, but at under $15US, you really can’t go wrong. You mount it on a pole, set it out in the field, and it measures wind, rainfall and temperature. I use separate rain guages for rainfall, and various analog and digital min/max thermometers in different locations for temperature, so what’s left is wind direction and speed, which is what I like about it. Specifically, I like being able to check wind speed, and watch it fluctuate. You read the speed in miles or kilometers along the curved edge, as the indicator flaps up and down on the wind. For me, being able to attach a reference to what I feel is kinda useful, like, “Oh, that’s about a 20 mph wind!” :) I’m not sure of the particular brand, this one is from Veseys, and I’ve seen very similar or identical ones in the hardware stores.

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Tiny Farm Gear