Issaquah Grange Supply Undressed

--> Sep
09

Gallagher Electric Fence From the Home to the Range

How electric fencing works
An electric fence is a psychological barrier that keeps farm animals in and wild animals out – even over long distances.
A pulsed electric current is sent along the fence wire, about one pulse per second, from an energizer which is grounded. When the animal touches the fence it completes the circuit between the fence and the ground and receives a short, sharp but safe shock. The shock is sufficiently memorable that the animal never forgets.
Because the electric fence is a psychological barrier, it does not require great strength to be effective. However, it must be well designed and constructed to absorb some pressure from animals, snow and wind. The energizer must have enough power for the length of the fence and for the animals being controlled.
Uses and benefits
Animal control is perhaps the most widely recognized reason for power fencing. Not only does power fencing keep domestic animals and livestock contained, it has various other important uses, including:
• Keeping wild animals out
• Separating different groups of animals
• Allowing rationing of crops and pasture
• Fencing animals off from eroding areas, trees, rivers and roads
Power fencing has revolutionized pasture management techniques and better pasture management means better profitability for farmers. Permanent or portable power fences are used to subdivide pasture to ensure even distribution of manure over grazing areas. In this way, pastures are kept fresh, short and palatable which ultimately leads to increased milk and meat production. If you are interested in finding out more about pasture management techniques.
Other key benefits of power fencing:
• Affordable
• Easily constructed and maintained
• Durable, because of low physical contact
• Light weight and easily transported
• Easily modified
• Less animal hide and pelt damage
• Deterrent to trespassers and predators
For convenient, economical animal control, improved pasture management and more profitable farming, a Gallagher Power Fence System is the trusted solution.

 

supplied by http://www.gallagherusa.com/

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--> Feb
02

Bed Preparation

Now that your garden is all cleaned up,( I have just a little more to go on mine!)  we can start getting your beds ready for planting.  A good planting area can be as important as the plant you wish to put there. Generally for growing fruits, veggies and flowers your planting area requires sun, water, good drainage and ample composted material added to the existing soil. 

 ”Why is there all this talk lately about adding compost to my garden?”  I’m glad you asked.  In days of old the two items used for practically every garden was steer manure and peat moss.  Steer manure is a good additive for discing or rototilling into the soil then allowed to decompose over the winter.  Peat moss tends to acidify the soil and most soils in the Northwest are already acid.  I would use peat moss for planting  rhodys, azaleas, camellias or blueberries otherwise a bag or two of good organic compost mixed into your existing soil not only provides a great medium for your plants but also helps to break up the clay hardpan that seems to abound in our gardens.

If you’re planning a rose garden, I’ve found that alfalfa meal is a popular amendment.  It not only adds organic material for the beneficial soil microbes to munch on but has a slight N-P-K rating which actually makes it a mild fertilizer.

Another additive I should mention is lime. The use of lime could fill an entire blog, but the main reason I bring it up is for counteracting the native acidity.  Lime raises the ph and sweetens the soil.  This is important if you are planting a new lawn or fighting a lot of moss.  Grass loves and moss hates a high ph soil.  You will probably need to apply the lime at least twice a year because changing the ph of soil is not done overnight.  Using lime in your garden will also turn your blue hydrangeas, pink!

Next blog:  Fertilizer; chemical vs organic. What are “simples” and what the hey is N-P-K!

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