A Pain in the Grass...

One of the first things I remember learning
when taking gardening classes several years back,

 was how to calibrate a sprinkler system. 

I don't think we ever got around to doing it,

but it's been in the back of my mind to tackle that. 

Since we've gotten the well, we've been able
to water longer with each application. 
The grass is coming back in some places,
but it's far from the picture-perfect green oasis

of some of our neighbors. 

Seems that this type of grass does best with

frequent and deep watering

and the addition of chemicals to control pests. 

Since we choose not to add any more
harmful toxins to the environment,

we can only control our watering practices. 
So...

Step 1:  Getcha some cans.

Place them in the area you wish to calibrate.

Step 2:  Turn on your sprinklers.

Let them run for 15 minutes.

Step 3:  Measure the amount of water collected.

Multiply the depth of the water by 4,

to get the amount of water per hour being dispensed.

For more information, go here.

 

Grass is probably one of the lowest items on my priority list,

but in order to keep the peace here in HOAland,

we need to make sure our lawn looks halfway decent.

We're looking forward to our next home
where the grass will definitely be greener,
even if it's all weeds...

We Got Water, Folks!

Last week we did something that should have been done

when we first bought this house.

We got hooked up to our own water.

As is evident by the bare patches in the front yard,

rain water is the only thing that seems

to keep this grass going.

Since rain is scarce here, a well is the next best thing.

We had the choice to continue replacing sod

to avoid fines from the HOA,

or installing a well to keep the grass growing.

Although the equipment looked like something

out of a museum, it did the job.  

The owner of the company said he's been

doing this kind of work for 30 years.

How many people can say that nowadays?

They went about their work,

finding a spot on the side of the house.

Fortunately, our electric and water access

are on the same side of the house.

It costs more if it's not.

Nice jacuzzi, huh?

The actual drilling took the longest.

It still required some hands-on work.

Although I'm grateful there's water to be had,

I'm not crazy about the idea that we had to spend $1600

to keep fines at bay due to something beyond our control.

I'm trying to look at it as one more step in our

drive to be more self-sufficient.

It'll make our home more attractive to buyers,

so we thought it would pay off in the end.

The kicker is that Big K suggested I go out

and buy a few plants to put around the pump area.

No need to ask me twice!

Our neighbor started us off with a peace lily.

Considering how I feel about

living under the rules of the HOA,

I'd say that's quite fitting.

Thanks for the reminder, God

to keep peace as my constant companion.