Trenches dug

Trenches have been dug for the plumbing. All of the return piping will be 90mm stormwater pvc pipe. I will have two returns to the sump. This diameter should be more than enough to cope with simultaneous draining. I have decided not to use the olive barrels as extra sumps, as I am pretty sure that the sump and the yabby tanks will be more than enough. There is potentially room for another growbed, and I will add an extra sump if I add another bed.

Should get the pluming done this week ready for the gravel by the weekend.

Grow Beds Arrive!

Big day today! Grow beds arrived so off to the garden supply to get besser blocks and sleepers. $$$ later, and enough material for 6 stands at home. Stands built, ready to plumb next weekend. I have decided to go with 2 yabby tanks under the grow beds, these will slow drain to about the 250lt mark and will help to "top up" the sump. I will also bury two 220 lt olive barrels and equalise them with the big sump, so total sump of almost 1500lt with an extra 500lt slowly topping it up (maybe even a float valve for this?). I will build a kiddie cover for the yabby tanks not too dissimilar to the sump cover and have the top removable.

Grow Beds Tomorrow

Grow beds being delivered tomorrow. Can't wait to get cranking! Need to get concrete blocks and sleepers for supports. Assignments, corrections and reports can wait!

Damn Birds!

Birds got to our aqua-strawberries again today! So screwed on some hoops (1 1/4 inch poly pipe) and dropped over a bird netting. Doesn't look too bad (bad light so no photos) and will keep the bloody birds at bay!

Second pump arrived today. Will probably use this pump in the big system and when my little system needs an upgrade/refurbishment, will use the sump pump in that one.

Vegie Planning

Sat down to plan out what vegies to grow in the aquaponics tonight. At the moment we have:

strawberries (which the birds are getting to - need to net them)

carrots

lettuce

silverbeet

cauliflower

cress

snow peas

basil (sweet)

basil (purple)

wild thyme

sage

mint

chili

capsicum.

These current beds will be revamped and be dedicated for:

lettuce

basil (both)

strawberries

cress

spring onion

sage

wild thyme

silverbeet

The new system will have as a summer crop:

corn - three varieties

tomatoes - three varieties

cucumber

watermelon

beans - three varieties

capsicum - three varieties

egg plant

beetroot

carrots

chili

The dirt garden currently has:

beans

carrots

potatoes

spinach

leek

garlic

spring onion

turnips

sugar snap peas

silverbeet

broccoli

beetroot

strawberries

apples

oranges

apricots

olives

mulberries

blueberries

pears

peaches

The aquaponics and dirt gardens should provide more than enough fruit and veg plus some.

Plenty of fish as well. I am going to buy or build a smoker for the trout!

Hayley is becoming the master of preserving, there is still 1/2 a jar of sundried tomatoes left from last seasons crop (and we eat heaps!)

Most of the fruiting trees will have their first "real" crop this year and should flourish next year.

Apricots went crazy last year and will again this year. Just need to net the fruit this year to save them from the damn birds (lost half to birds last year).

Getting the seedlings ready.

Full moon is out so time to plant some seeds. Hayley has got some seeds going in the mini greenhouse and most of them will go into the dirt garden. These seeds will be specifically for the aquaponics system. I'll keep these seeds inside on the mantle piece above the gas heater. Should keep them nice and warm and aid germination. Once the leaves are up, I'll take them outside and put them into a makeshift greenhouse.

Pump arrived!

My sump pump arrived today! 9500lt/hr on a float switch. Also ordered a 24/7 pump and will see which best suits my application in practice as well as uses the least amount of power.