Category Archives: Garden

Garden Tank Set Up

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Spring is really just around the corner, so it’s time to get your garden prepared. Last year I set up this garden tank for veggies. I’ll show you what I did.

I purchased a large stock tank. They were on sale for $99.00.

I positioned and leveled six left over blocks to place the tank on.

I had to place the tank on the blocks a couple of times to ensure I really did get it level.

I drilled 1″ holes throughout the bottom of the tank to ensure that there would be proper drainage. I purchased the metal drill bit at the same time as the stock tank.

I placed a 2″ layer of gravel on the bottom, followed by the soil. I selected a soil mix specifically for veggie gardens. It took less than a 1/4 yard of soil. Keep the soil about 2″ below the top of the tank.

Here I have butter lettuce planted and added flexible tubing. This enables you to easily cover the garden on frosty nights or on those hot summer days. Looks a little like a covered wagon. I can hear John Wayne now, “Get the garden tanks in a circle, the deer are commin’.”

Here’s the garden in late summer. I grew peppers and tomatoes after the butter lettuce harvest. Depending on the season, you can really grow any type of veggie in the tank that you’d like.

A simple set up for “good eats” all year long!

MinYard Grape Harvest

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What’s a MinYard? A mini grape vineyard of course.

Several years ago, a good friend gave us two Cabernet grape plants. For a couple of years they grew in pots. When I redesigned the front yard, I decided a small vineyard was needed.

Here’s the two-plant grape MinYard in late fall. The harvest was completed in mid September.

It was a very good harvest this year. But what can you do with the wine grapes if you only have two grapevines? It’s not enough to make wine.

I’ll show you how I crush the grapes and what I do with the juice.

I place a catch dish below a colander, I simply use a plastic bag and my fist to crush the grapes. It is definitely a workout. I’ve been looking for a small, used grape press but have not found one as yet. Hopefully prior to the next harvest.

When I need a rest, I pour the juice from the catch dish through folded cheese cloth and into a pitcher. The cheese cloth acts to filter out most debris.

I was able to obtain two full pitchers of juice. I usually pour some juice into Mason jars and freeze it.

The juice can be added to a glass of water for a super energy drink. You do not need to add much, this stuff is pure power and can really rev up your motor!

I also like to freeze some grape cubes in an ice cube tray, and add the cubes to natural sparkling water. Extremely refreshing on a warm day.

If you know someone who makes wine, you can give them the juice from your vines to add into theirs. Here’s a batch of locally made wine where I added my own label. I had one of my artistic friends design it for me.

Note the MinYard name – Frog & Feather. My friend likes frogs and I like birds of prey. This was a hearty, bodacious red – just like her!

So go grab a bottle of your favorite red and share it with a friend. Wine is good for your soul. Salute!