AJ's Back Yard Nutrient Station

[AlabamaJack]

I found a 35 gallon plastic coke syrup barrel for 12 bucks...bought one....decided to use it to mix nutrients in.

Originally put it on the wood pile for height to see if this would feed the whole yard using a 100 foot 5/8" garden hose...shows construction start and original position of barrel...

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk136/AlabamaJack/050408a001.jpg

Yup...it worked so I decided to make it a permanent fixture of the back yard...I am calling it AJ's Nutrient Station...

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk136/AlabamaJack/050408a005.jpg

Even made a shelf for my nutrients and measuring devices/funnels

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk136/AlabamaJack/050408a006.jpg

and no Nutrient Station is complete without its own Ice Chest...

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk136/AlabamaJack/050408a007.jpg

It takes about 140 gallons to feed all my plants giving them 1/2 gallon at a time...will feed every watering as recommended by botanicare...but will use about half strenght nutrients...

[Omri]

Like a gas station, just cooler and cheaper. :P

[Chiliac]

As always: awesome, man!!! You are simply amazing! You're slowly but surely setting up a chili peppers factory! I'm sure that within one year's time it'll become impossible to call it a garden anymore! :)

[abf303]

looking good aj. i use that exact same nutrients and am really like the results

[AlabamaJack]

Thanks all...just keeping busy and trying to make the most of my time...I have another project today also and that is to set up a rain barrel collection point...going to get 3 55 gallon plastic barrels (for 14 each) and try and complete that project today too...oh yeah, the Nutrient center is built out of scrap and the wife loves it...

[Omri]

Make it even more professional by storing the basics and mix them by yourself. a shelf for minerals, a shelf for hormones and one for everything else. :D

[AlabamaJack]

Make it even more professional by storing the basics and mix them by yourself. a shelf for minerals, a shelf for hormones and one for everything else. :D

Haven't thought of that Omri...but really a good suggestion...

[imaguitargod]

Christ dude, you just keep going all out on thses things!

[Omri]

Haven't thought of that Omri...but really a good suggestion...
Yeah, making your own "stuff". if you want something done, do it yourself.

[Biscombe]

Wow AJ how impressed am I!! I must admit I find it a pain feeding al my plants! your set up makes short work of it! Brilliant!

[DrHavanger]

Looks really awesome AJ!

[AlabamaJack]

It's been a very productive weekend...

OK...went back to the place I got the 35 gallon drum and got 3 55 gallon drums for $16 each...then went to Home Depot and got plumbing...cost about the same as the barrels and here is what I got...

Barrels in place...

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk136/AlabamaJack/050408b001.jpg

Job Finished...plumbing successful...(so far)

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk136/AlabamaJack/050408b005.jpg

View looking north...

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk136/AlabamaJack/050408b006.jpg

View looking south...

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk136/AlabamaJack/050408b007.jpg

I feel good today....got a lot accomplished toward the garden...

I can now store 165 gallons of rainwater....

Supposed to rain within the next few days and it will be interesting to see how much rain a 24 foot wide drainage lenghth of the back portion of the roof will shed..plus the 12 foot width of the patio awning...

Have a great day folks...

ps....wife went with me and got 4 parakeats, cage, and all the gear...she is happy...

[wordwiz]

AJ,

You have the energy of a 30-man fire department put together! I'm rethinking the size of the store you will need to open - originally, I figured about 1,200 sq. ft. would be large enough. Now I'm thinking at least 5,000!

I'd be honored to do your web site for free - just so I can say I know you!!!

But a question (isn't there always?). A half gallon of water at a time? I understand containers will not hold moisture near as well as the ground does, but this seems to be akin to a couple two or three inches of rain at a time. Is this something you studied or tried before, of just a point to start from?

Mike

[AlabamaJack]

from what I have read Mike...you are supposed to deep water the plants...if you don't deep water them it will cause the roots to be shallow...you are right, I figured 1/2 gallon per plant will be between 1-2 inches rain....I do "touch up" water but with regular water...the solution I am using is very dilute so I can feed them each time I water...the continers drain well but this soil really holds the moisture great...I am sure I will have to water more often this summer....

I had too much rain last year and it hurt my crop...just don't want to make the same mistake this year by overwatering....right now, I am watering about every 4-5 days....

[okie joe]

Really nice set up AJ kinda reminds me of a still. LOL You will be surprised at the amount of water you are going to get off the house and shed. I have a 55 gallon next to my garden that I dip water out of and the cattle drink from and it seems to fil after every rain. I too had to much rain last year hopefully alot better this year. And oh the tornados went around and west so we got another Blessing thank goodness Can you send me the nutrients you are using so I can see if I can get them up here.

[andy999]

Great job AJ
My father did the same collection from roof to the barrel ,but his were almost completely in the ground for easy water removal- there was no electricity where his garden was,
I commend you on your great achievement
Could you please describe what nutrients you are using ,it is hard to see them all from picture-I will visit hydroponic store shortly and it would help to decide what to buy,you already know if nutrients are working and which is giving you good best results
thanks
regards
Andy

[DrHavanger]

You've got a way to collect water and mix it, how are you going distribute it to your plants?

[Sanj]

Nice setup AJ...they say rainwater is better for plants than tap water.

[AlabamaJack]

Really nice set up AJ kinda reminds me of a still. Can you send me the nutrients you are using so I can see if I can get them up here.

Great job AJ. Could you please describe what nutrients you are using ,it is hard to see them all from picture-I will visit hydroponic store shortly and it would help to decide what to buy,you already know if nutrients are working and which is giving you good best results
thanks
regards
Andy

OJ/Andy...scroll down on the link below until you see close up pics of the Botanicare products...one is for vegetative and one is for fruiting/flowering...I also use Liquid Karma (another botanicare product) with the fertilize...forgot to add, I use superthrive mixed with the fertilizers too...

http://www.thehotpepper.com/blog.php?b=36

You've got a way to collect water and mix it, how are you going distribute it to your plants?

I have a 100 foot 5/8" garden hose for the nutrient center that I drag around to each plant...the gravity feed is just perfect...

I will use a "bilge pump" for moving the rain water to the nutrient barrel...drop the bilge pump in the rainbarrel, connect the battery and watch the water fill the nutrient station up after I have mixed in the fertilizers...

[Pepperfreak]

:shocked::shocked: WOW!!! I know you described what you where doing earlier, I just didn't imagine or comprehend the extent that you were going. IT LOOKS AWSOME...Great job, pretty soon you'll be setting up your own pepper nursery...:think:

[HotPeppersFlyFishing]

Looks Great AJ. And to think my G/F just said to me (I have 15 plants 1 Light some dirt and some food) today "you are getting carried away with this pepper growing thing". :lol:

[teh purple penguins]

AJ, that's plain awesome dude. no fancy gidgets just straight useful and well placed plumbing no doubt.
could you describe what you put on top of each barrel? the screen type looking stuff, did you get that at HD?

[Omri]

AJ, that's plain awesome dude. no fancy gidgets just straight useful and well placed plumbing no doubt.
could you describe what you put on top of each barrel? the screen type looking stuff, did you get that at HD?
Looks like a filter to me.

[AlabamaJack]

TPP...the screen on top of the barrels is just plain lightweight aluminum window screen...cheap, but effective...

Morning Omri...yes, the screen is to filter most of the junk out and keep any leaves, grass, etc. out that would settle in the bottom of the barrels..

[Omri]

TPP...the screen on top of the barrels is just plain lightweight aluminum window screen...cheap, but effective...

Morning Omri...yes, the screen is to filter most of the junk out and keep any leaves, grass, etc. out that would settle in the bottom of the barrels..
Is it morning for you? already the after noon here.

[andy999]

I wish I have you as my neighbor
Regards
Andy

[POTAWIE]

Looks good AJ but you might want to store your nutrients in a cooler/darker place. The screen is a great idea to keep dragonflies and other beneficial insects from drowning as well as mice.;)

[teh purple penguins]

thanks aj
and omri, i knew the function, not what it is supposed to be used for originally :). i was thinking nylon so it doesn't rust?

[Omri]

thanks aj
and omri, i knew the function, not what it is supposed to be used for originally :). i was thinking nylon so it doesn't rust?
I'm building an aeroponic cycle and using a plastic one to filter all the bad things. if it's not small enough to pass the filter, it's not small enough to be sprayed.

[wordwiz]

I had too much rain last year and it hurt my crop...just don't want to make the same mistake this year by overwatering....right now, I am watering about every 4-5 days....

AJ,

We were the opposite - from June-September we were 15" of rainfall below our normal. We also had the 4th hottest summer ever with more 90 and 100 degree days in many, many years.

I tried watering but after a while, it simply didn't help (except the peppers - they loved the heat!). Tomatoes would ripen on one side but the other side stayed white. Cucumbers died. Potatoes quit growing, as did eggplant and basil.

I'm hoping for a much better season this year!

Mike

[teh purple penguins]

I'm building an aeroponic cycle and using a plastic one to filter all the bad things. if it's not small enough to pass the filter, it's not small enough to be sprayed.

where are you putting the screen?

[POTAWIE]

You should probably also use an inline filter for aeroponics or your misters can easily get clogged

[Omri]

where are you putting the screen?
What POTAWIE said.
It's a circle where I re-use the nutrients I've used before. sure I add liquids and everything, but not throwing it away.
You should probably also use an inline filter for aeroponics or your misters can easily get clogged

[POTAWIE]

OK AJ, I guess I have to be the one to ask. What's is in the ice chest, beer?

[AlabamaJack]

yup...ice chest is for beer when I am working in the yard...seems a suitable place for it...now I just ahve to figure out an remote dispensing system so when I am on my lawm tractor I can push a button and it will be ready for me when I pass by... :lol:

[thepodpiper]

AJ, you can get one of those skeet throwers just crank the spring down so you get the distance you need. i am sure there is a remote contolled one. LoL.

Dale

[Rob]

What a good idea! i think you just put me back to work!

[AlabamaJack]

I am at work. The wife just called...it is raining at my house and the first 2 rain barrels are already full dumping into the third and it has only been raining for 15 minutes....

[Omri]

I am at work. The wife just called...it is raining at my house and the first 2 rain barrels are already full dumping into the third and it has only been raining for 15 minutes....
Sounds nice, just that it won't rain here for at least another 4-5 months. :shocked:

[AlabamaJack]

Ended up with 1.1 inches of rain in about 30 minutes...filled up all three barrels...don't know how much overflow there was

yup...was absolutely storming with pea size hail...plants have some holes in the leaves but otherwise seem to be OK....

[Pepper Ridge Farm]

That is amazing you fill up all three barrels in just 30 minutes. Your rain water runoff catch system seems to work perfectly. That should be enough storage water for a couple weeks what ya think? I really questioned how much water actually ran out our gutters, more than I thought.

[AlabamaJack]

it really amazed me PRF...I had no clue...going to get more rain this evening and I am thinking about getting another barrel....

am trying to hook up the transfer pump now...a 500 gph bilge pump just doesn't have enough pressure behind it to raise the water 6'...going to get a 1750 gph right now..

Back in a while.....

[ring sting]

Hey AJ,

so the bilge pump moves the water into the barrel. What are you using to agitate/mix the nutrients in the barrel?

For moving the water, have you considered a small 12V fuel pump?

If you want to calculate the water catchment of your roof, there is plenty of metric ones here in oz.
Click here (http://polyworld.com.au/calculations.htm) for one that I remember. Just scroll down to the bottom and enter the data.

RS

[AlabamaJack]

great site Ring Sting...I am figuring I am catching water off 41 sq Meters. Comes out to over 1000 liters so 250+ gallons. thanks for that site...

Bilge pumps won't work...have to pump the water through a 50' hose and up about 8 feet. got a fountain pump that said 5 gallons per minute with a 10 foot rise....bull sh**...won't fill my nutrient barrel...will go tomorrow and get a real pump....gasoline powered that will move some water...

as far as mixing nutrients, I plan on using the flow when I transfer to the nutrient barrel from the rain barrels to mix and stir it up...will only mix what I need when I need it...

[ring sting]

AJ,
before you go down the gas route, have a look at electriacl ones. I have installed a 20,000L (read: BIG) tank -- 5ooogal -- and use a 45lpm pump, cost around $250, can get smaller, cheaper for around $100. Similar to ones on this page:
http://www.pumpmaster.com.au/products.html
or this one for prices:
http://www1.au.shopping.com/xDN-garden-water_pump

RS