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What kind of watering system do you have?
I've written plenty about the drought situation here in California. Most of my musings about this subject I've made into my Monday Kitchen Table Kibitzing diaries. Things are still in flux as the more than 400 different water districts here have different ideas about what they'll do
or not. Naturally law suits are springing up all over the state regarding water usage.
Typically orchards and farms either simply flood their land entirely or have big pipes they move around with an army of industrial strength rain bird water sprinkling heads which put out lots more water than the ones you can buy to use at home.
In the area around where I live, orchard flooding is the preferred method. Those who've I've spoken with that own orchards tell me they flood their fields 1 1/2 feet deep in water twice each week. In central and southern California they water more frequently than that using up to four times the water as we do in the northern part of the state. Believe it or not, flooding vs. using sprinklers uses less water due to evaporation.
One way a ton of water could be saved is if orchards had drip systems that put water right at the tree roots instead of flooding or watering the entire ground. Since so many orchards are owned by companies from foreign countries or owned by giant investment firms, maximizing profits is what matters, not saving water. I really don't see how orchards can be coaxed into paying to upgrade to drip systems unless the cost of water becomes so expensive it becomes worth it. Currently this is not the situation.
~~~~~
They are finally starting to build homes in California that have systems to make use of water used to bathe, shower, wash clothes and dishes (but no toilet water of course). All this used soapy water goes into a system, which each home has, that treats the water so it's safe to reuse for watering gardens or to flush toilets (but not to drink or cook food). It's something every home should have in truth. The cost for these systems is currently around $10,000 per home and the price will drop as more of them are installed. Eventually they may become cheap enough that folks without them will want to get one installed.
https://homes.yahoo.com/...
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Anyone who has a garden at home can install a drip system to cut down on water use. We have one. When we bought this home 25 years ago, it had some gardens started. Only one small garden had a drip system. I pounced on that and put drip systems in everywhere we have a garden. Over the years as we've expanded our gardens I expanded the drip system. I actually really like doing it all.
You buy the main tubing at any hardware store or garden shop. You can get it in different diameters. Using larger diameter tubing will get you more water pressure. I use 1/2-inch x .700" OD tubing which refers to the diameter. Here's a link to a site selling drip system supplies that explains it all quite well. I don't use valves, filters or back-flow preventers. I've never found any of that fancy stuff to be necessary at all. http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/...
You get end caps and threaded caps (for screwing onto hoses or spigots). You roll out the main tubing in your garden and use looped metal stakes to stake it down. I make my own stakes using thick wire (pig wire) that I cut (tin snip or hack saw) into 12 inch lengths then bend into u-shapes. This main tubing is rated to last 10 years minimum if it's in full sun. It you bury it a little bit or have it hidden under plants it will last much longer. I have some that's been here for 25 years.
Drip system threaded onto water spigot
Drip systems take some effort to put in, but it's not difficult at all. I find it to be fun to do because I can design it anyway I want and can reconfigure it anytime. You buy different sprinkler heads to place at various places within your garden. Where we have individual plants growing spaced apart I put in root watering drips. Where we have a bunch of plants covering an area, this won't work. In those areas I've installed little sprinkler heads that water just the area you want.
You buy a "punch" to attach your feeder tubes to sprinklers off of the main drip system tubing. This stuff is 1/4 inch in diameter and is flexible. You put a barb in the end of the feeder tubing then push the other end of the barb into the hole you punched in the main tubing. In this way you can get water to any place you want at any distance you need it from the main tubing.
1/4 inch in diameter feeder tubing with root-drip head off of main tubing
Some of these sprinkler heads fan out water in 360 degrees, others 180 degrees while others water 90 degrees. It gets really fun as you can buy sprinkler heads that water 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 30 degrees, even 15 degrees. The challenge is to water only what you need.
No matter what kind of sprinkler head you use in your drip system, you can buy them not just for the size of the area they water but also by how much water they spray per hour. I have some that water roots that put out 1/2 gallon an hour, others are rated for 1 gallon per hour, while others put out 2 and 3 1/2 gallons per hour. The same is true of my sprinklers that spray over areas. Being able to know just how much water you are using over time is a real help.
180 degree adjustable sprinkler head on drip system
There is yearly maintenance involved. I always need to clean out some sprinkler heads. To do that I simply remove them and blow and suck air through them to dislodge bugs and debris. If that doesn't work, I replace the sprinkler head itself. I do get leaks from cracks in old parts of the main tubing. If its a small leak I wrap it in electric tape and then wrap that with duct tape. That works sometimes for years. If part of the tubing is really shot I replace that whole section. It's not hard as you can buy all sorts of parts to connect one piece with another.
360 degree sprinkler head that puts out 3.5 gallons per hour
It gives me a real sense of pride to have my entire garden fixed up with a drip system. I actually enjoy making the little fixes that need doing. It's kind of fun to figure out how to water an area specifically without watering areas that don't need it. If you are putting in new gardens or replacing an old one, I strongly recommend putting in a drip system. It will save water, it's fun to do and makes you feel good!
Do you have an efficient garden watering system?
Latest Updates on Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by AndyT ♥ for Dallas Kossacks
For our first Meet-up we kept it social for the most part. We discussed our histories in activism and what got us involved. Our lurker, CJ, had some questions about how Daily Kos works and we were happy to explain the basics. Some of the topics discussed were fracking, trans teens, LGBT activism, police violence, increasing the minimum wage and income inequality. We also got to know each other a little bit.
It's always a treat and privilege to meet fellow progressives. I personally feel right at home with them almost immediately. I had a great time and I believe everyone else did as well.
So come see us on May 23rd at Ojeda's!!!
Texnance, dalfireplug and Andyt photographed by lurker CJ
Please visit
AndyT's diary. You can still REC it. You can join
Dallas Kossacks by sending a
Kosmail to AndyT.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
DKos Asheville brought its eighth community meet up to life this past weekend with a historic appearance of a civil rights icon, Dr Fergie Reid, in Roanoke Virginia.
As reported by Roanoke's NBC Station, WSLS10:
A living legend was honored in Roanoke on Saturday. A special event was held at Hotel Roanoke recognizing William Ferguson Reid. Dr. Reid was the first African-American elected to the Virginia General Assembly in the twentieth century.
In March of this year, Reid celebrated his 90th birthday. In an effort to continue his long history of expanding voters' rights, people are taking part in a campaign called "90 for 90." The goal is to register new voters for the election. People across the state are working to register 90 new voters in each of Virginia's precincts.
randallt (Connect! Unite! Act! State Leader for North Carolina), Chris LaGrant (Campaign Manager for Virginia State Senate candidate Mike Hamlar), Dr. William Ferguson Reid, Sr. (Civil Rights Leader & 90 for 90 Icon), Freeda Cathcart (Democratic Activist), Dr. William Ferguson Reid, Jr. (Son of Dr. Fergie, Sr.) and Gordon20024 (DKos Meet-up Benefactor)
Please visit randallt's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join
DKos Asheville by sending a
Kosmail to randallt.
by Chris Reeves ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
&
by navajo ♥ for Connect! Unite! Act!
More than 140 readers of Daily Kos and friends came together in Kansas City to discuss the future of Kansas, Missouri and the Democratic Party - as well as what they can do about it. All of the speakers were excellent and many of the attendees loved meeting the writers at Daily Kos and underlining the fact that we are there for them. We had a great day starting with a continental breakfast and enjoyed the spaciousness of a really swell theater for the presentations. There was a greeting by navajo, a presentation by Chris Reeves and Reuben Eckels, a speech by David Nir and a talk by Joan McCarter. We had a casual pizza buffet for lunch. We resumed with Markos giving a preview of DK5 and then an Ask Me Anything session. Next up was an interview by Monique Teal of Patricia Bynes, Dr. Jacob Wagner spoke next and then we finished off with a Meteor Blades's summary of the purpose of the event and then we Skyped in the Roanoke event and an address by Dr. Ferguson Reid, Sr.
Markos addressing the crowd
Markos chatting during a break
Please visit Chris Reeve's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Chris Reeves.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, May 23rd
Dallas Kos Meet-up, Let's Build Community!
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Ojeda's Mexican Restaurant
4617 Maple Avenue • Dallas
ORGANIZER: Send AndyT a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. AndyT
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Dallas Kossacks Meetup Report and Next Event
Saturday, May 30th
Houston Kos Monthly Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fadi's Mediterranean Grill in Meyerland Plaza
4738 Beechnut Street • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. scott5js
3. cosette
4. NoBlinkers
5. Baby NoBlinkers
6. Mary
7. JJR1971
8. TDDVandy
9. Blood
10. jmbar2 |
Maybees:
Mr. cosette
Mr. NoBlinkers
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meetup Scheduled for May 30 (RSVP Today!)
Saturday, May 30th
Seattle Puget Sound Kos Meet-up with Guest Speaker Yoram Bauman
Connect, Unite and help plan Action for 2015!
Cost: $20.00 with selected menu
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. John Crapper's SO
3. bleeding blue
4. LarisaW
5. momomia
6. Eagle Keeper
7. Piren
8. Flamingogrrl
9. doing business as
10. Gemina13
11. TBone Apollo |
Maybees:
tenayaca
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Latest diary: S&PS Kos - Take the Initiative with Yoram Bauman
Sunday, May 31st
Los Angeles Kossacks Potluck
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Private Home
[Address given privately to RSVPers] • North Hills
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. susans - vegetarian main dish
2. Otoelbc
3. matts2
4. Mrs. matts2
5. Joshua Bloxom - dessert
6. Shockwave
7. Santa Susanna Kid
8. gmats
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Maybees:
philipmerrill
jakedog42
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Latest diary: Potluck in Los Angeles on May 31st
June 26, 27 & 28th, 2015
EPIC Glacier National Park Meet-up II
ACTIVITIES:
June 26: TBD
June 27: TBD
June 28:
Day - TBD
Evening - 5:00 PM, BBQ potluck with Jen Hayden at the lower picnic area at the Historic Tamarack Lodge, 9549 U.S. 2, Hungry Horse, MT 59919. Entertainment at 6:00 PM by Truckstop Honeymoon
TIME: 24/7
LOCATION: Exact location inside park TBD
[Address] • Glacier National Park
ORGANIZER: Send Ojibwa a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Ojibwa
2. state of confusion
3. Thinking Fella
4. side pocket
5. Mrs. side pocket
6. navajo
7. jakedog42
8. Jen Hayden for 6/28 only
9. Joan McCarter
10. mcmom
11. peregrine kate
12. BoiseBlue
13. Mrs. BoiseBlue
14. figbash
15. MTmofo
16. woolibaar
17. markdd
18. Mrs. markdd
19. Earthling1
20. Earthling2
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Maybees:
NormAl1792
winifred3
dharmasyd
foresterbob
714Day
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Latest diaries:
• A 2015 Glacier National Park Meetup?
• The 2015 EPIC Glacier Park Meet Up: Travel and Lodging
• The EPIC 2015 Glacier National Park Meet Up: Camping
• The 2015 EPIC Glacier National Park Meet Up: Tours
• Glacier National Park: Red Rock Falls (Photo Diary) and Meet Up Stuff
Announcing Asheville, North Carolina as the location
for our next Regional Event! 9.26.15
Asheville, N.C. is the destination for September 26, 2015! DKos Asheville, the In-Real-Life group under the leadership of randallt, has been setting the example for other IRL groups across the nation regarding registering people to vote, getting out the vote, having a state open thread and setting up strategy conferences for their region. Because of this impressive leadership we've asked randallt to be the State Leader for all of North Carolina. We've got important work to do on the ground there and randallt has shown he's the person to make that happen.
All states are welcome to attend this event and if you do you can expect to meet Markos Moulitsas in person, as well as some of the Daily Kos staff. More details regarding this regional event will be shared in the future so please stay tuned to Connect! Unite! Act!
For now, SAVE THE DATE and spread the word!
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.