Upright Piano Morphs into Work Table

My Upright Piano Workbench

 

     A couple of years ago, I got an old upright piano free for the hauling.  With the help of some able-bodied friends, we got it moved into our dining room, and the renovation work began.  I soon realized that years of temperature changes and moisture had pushed this piano beyond the possibility of a decent renovation.  I chalked it up as a failure, and moved the piano onto the porch, a step closer to its final proper resting place in a landfill.

     Three or four years later, it was still on the porch, when inspiration struck.  It still had a good solid frame, and we could use a solid work table on the porch for gardening and craft projects.  So began the upright piano work table project.

Outer Casework and Piano Action Removed

Keys Removed showing Balance Rail and Key Bed

  Let the Construction Begin

Key Bed and Balance Rail Removed

     Removing the innards was relatively easy.  The piano action, the mechanism with all the hammers, flanges and wooden levers, is held with four nuts.  The outer casework is removed by removing the screws that hold them in place.  The keys simply rest on the pins shown in the key bed, and the key bed and balance rail are removed by loosening  about 12 screws.  This then reveals a flat surface at desk height to support whatever surface you choose for the top of your table, desk or workbench.  For the tabletop and the backboard, I used an old discarded computer desk that was in my barn warehouse.  For some of the shelving I used parts of the piano casework.

     As I didn't remove the cast iron harp and strings in the back, whenever you hit the table very hard, the strings vibrate some, and you can hear the distant sound of an angel choir.  If you don't care for angel music, you could mute out the strings with felt or cloth, but I don't recommend trying to remove the harp and strings.  That would change a simple home project into a major headache.

      The Sky's the Limit

     So let your imagination run wild and start work on that old upright that's been out in the granary for he last 10 years hosting several generations of rodents.  Be creative with those old piano parts you remove.  That balance rail with 88 pins must be useful in some kind of weaving project.  How about a clamp to hold down your work operated by foot with the soft pedal?  Or my favorite and possible future project, a combination work table and upright hammered dulcimer.

The Rest of the Farm

    I just walked outside to close up the chicken coop, and saw by the moon it's about time to get the peas in the ground.  That also means that next week is time to plant potato and other root crops outside.  The eggs that Miss Wohlters is setting on should be hatching in the next 3 or 4 days.  Lots going on and I'll be giving a full report in a week or 10 days. 

Super Pooper Scooper

     For now, I'll close with the following picture of my latest splurge in equipment purchases.   $14 for a picker-upper so I don't have to lean over, and my basket-tied-to-a-handtruck so I don't have to walk far to drop the load.  It's been working wonderfully well on spring dog poop removal.  Money isn't everything, but $14 just made my life a whole lot better.



 

Dirt, Llama Poop, a Stern Hen and Footprints in the Snow

 

     I've used the last couple of weeks to get started on outside spring work.  I've done about half the spring tilling, and two weeks ago, in the full moon, I planted some root crops in the low tunnel (the exposed hoops in the back of the picture).    I'm hoping for some early carrots, onions, radishes and new red potatoes.  The plastic covered frame in the front protects the early lettuce, spinach and arugula I planted Saturday.  Both these covers are easily removed on warm days.  More root crops and salads will be planted later, when the weather is more favorable.

 

CENTRAL GARDEN- Cold frame in the front, low tunnel in the back



Low tunnel with cover

EAST GARDEN

     The east garden has been tilled and the strawberries in the closest 4 feet have been uncovered.  Weather permitting, in one or two weeks I'll be planting peas here.  The squash, beans, corn, sunflowers and whatever else will have to wait for warmer conditions.







SOUTH GARDEN

     So far only the chickens have been working on the South garden.  As this will be the tomato and pepper patch this year, there's plenty of time to prepare.  Can't talk about no frost danger until the first week in June.

NEW WEST GARDEN AREA

WEST GARDEN WITH LLAMA POOP APPLIED

     Many thanks to my friend Jerry B for about a cubic yard of llama poop that I put down on this 14 foot by 20 foot section just west of the West chicken yard.  This will be the tomato and pepper patch for next year, 2016.  This summer a fence will be going up around this section, and next summer the tomatoes will be coming in like manna from heaven!

 

OUR HENS ARE KEEPING US WELL SUPPLIED

 

EXCEPT FOR MISS WOHLTERS

     Miss Wohlters is watching over 10 potential baby chicks, due to come in another 10 days or so.  Miss Wohlters was named after my 5th grade teacher, stern and strict, but very caring of her brood.

MARCH 18, 2015

MARCH 19, 2015

APRIL 8, 2015

     We won't get too excited about spring planting.  Pictured above is what can happen after a stretch of warm weather here in the spring.  Last year, we had snow on June 6.  Just remember, if you're in Minnesota and don't like the weather, wait 'til tomorrow and it will change.

Ahhhh Spring 2014

     Friday the temperature finally got up to 50 degrees F, and Saturday went over 65.  Two days ago I hit frost with the spading fork at a depth of 3 inches, while today it went down to at least 8 inches.  Deep enough to do some tilling anyway.  Pictured below is the Central Garden.  The hoops on the right are 10 foot sections of conduit pipe marking the ends of a shelter that will cover some early plantings of carrots, onions and radishes that will be planted within the next couple of days before the last moon quarter starts.  More conduit pipes will be installed every 2 or 2 1/2 feet between these hoops, which will then be covered with plastic to warm the ground.  The whole structure is designed to be easily moved, so as the weather warms, it can be used with less hardy plants like tomatoes after these hardier plants can go it on their own.
     The Sunflower stalks in the center and on the left in front of the barn were left from last year, and I hope to use them as supports when I plant peas and pole beans later on.  I left some corn stalks standing in the East Garden for the same reason.

Mother Nature Gives Us Our Tools

     When one of our Black Spruce trees fell over in a windstorm about 2 years ago, it left this exposed but well anchored root in our grove.  And so nature gave us our perfect conduit bender.

Conduit Bender

Conduit Bender in Action

Grow Light in the Basement

     These are the tomatoes I started in flats on March 14, and transplanted to pots on April 18.  Burpee Heirloom Brandywine Red on the right with Ferry-Morse Abe Lincoln Heirloom and American Seed Large Red Cherry behind them.  Barely visuable in the rear are the Broccoli and Cabbage started on April 5.

     Planted on April 12, some not yet sprouted pumpkin, squash, cucumber and watermelon are still sitting on the dining room table upstairs.

Poultry Palaver

     Our 19 hens and 2 roosters are enjoying the spring weather.  During the last quarter of the moon is a good time for cleanup.  As the last quarter starts on Wednesday, I plan to do the spring cleaning in the chicken coop.  With clean straw, a change in diet from corn to laying mash, worms, insects and greens, the eggs should start rolling in.

Scratchin' and a Diggin'

Goin' out for our Morning Constitutional

      According to meteorologic records we've had colder winters, but I don't remember any of them.  It seems like my bones froze up in November, and I haven't felt really warm until today.  But spring brings us a new life, a new beginning.  We look forward to new experiences and new friends while we treasure our old wins and losses, and old friends as jewels in our crown.

My Lunar Gardening Guide and Potatoes in the Snow

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;"
     Ecclesiastes 3:1-2.

     The most obvious effect of the moon's gravity on the earth is the raising of the ocean tides.  The logic of gardening by the moon is based on the effects of the moon's light and gravity on the moisture, microbes and other matter contained in the soil.  The pull of gravity is greatest during the full moon and the new moon.  Of course the light is greatest during the full moon.  Farmers throughout the ages have observed the effects of the moon on their planting, cultivating and harvesting activities and developed some guidelines.  I generally try to follow these guidelines for several reasons:
     1) I tend to respect the wisdom of those who came before me.
     2) the moon calendar helps keep me on a schedule, making it difficult to postpone things.
     3) It makes me feel in touch with the wider universe and the continuity of life.

General Lunar Guidelines

During the New Moon and Waxing Crescent- best time to plant flowers, leafy vegetables and plants with exposed seed.  Ex: lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and grain including corn.
During the Second Quarter and Waxing Gibbous- best time to plant vegetables with enclosed seed.  Ex: tomatoes, beans, peas, squash and melons.
During the Full Moon and Waning Gibbous- best time to plant for root development.  Ex: potatoes, carrots, beets, radishes, onions and transplanting.
During the Fourth Quarter and Waning Crescent- best time for tilling, cultivating and harvesting for storage.

     There's a lot more to gardening with the moon, but these are the basics and my general guidelines.  Of course there are times when other factors prevent me from religiously following these guidelines.  At those times I just punt and do what I can when I can.  Life is oft times a crap shoot.

Poultry Report

     Looking at last year's calendar, I saw that egg production jumped quickly from 6 or 8 eggs a week to 40 or 50 eggs a week after I switched the hen's diet from corn to laying mash.  Hoping for the same results, last Tuesday I splurged and spent $16.11 on a 50 pound sack of laying mash.  I've still got the same 8 hens that I had last year, and they look as healthy as ever.  So come on girls, let's go!

     I'm considering getting a new rooster this year, so we can produce some new chicks.  These hens are between 4 and 6 years old, and will have to slow down some time.

Plans for the Coming Week or Two 



Part of 2'x8' area to start potatoes and radishes

Lettuce and Spinach started sprouting

Full Moon April 25th
    There's still close to 2 feet of snow on the garden, but the soil under the greenhouse is warming up nicely and the short range forecast is showing temperatures only going down to freezing with highs in the 45 to 70 F range, I'm planning to start some radishes, carrots and a few hills of red potatoes inside the greenhouse.  I want potatoes by the fourth of July!

     There will also be more re-potting of plants started in the house, and most of them will soon be moved to the greenhouse.
Last Quarter May 2nd
     After next week, if most of the snow cover disappears from the garden, It will be time to clean the chicken coop and put it and the pigeon poop in the compost and the garden.  If I'm lucky, I may even be able to do some tilling, but that's just a pipe dream for now.

 

 



Re-potting pumpkins, squash and tomatoes

     I re-potted the cherry and beefsteak tomatoes, and the pumpkin and squash from saved seed today.  Transplanting is best done during the 3rd quarter after the full moon to encourage root growth, but mostly you have to transplant when they're ready.  I couldn't wait any longer for these pumpkins, squash and tomatoes,  as they were just too big and crowded.  Hopefully it will be warm enough to move most of them out to the greenhouse soon.  I'll have more to re-pot in the next 2 weeks, and it's getting crowded in the house.

"I beg your pardon,---would you like to see my garden?

It's really quite fantastic, don't you know.

It's filled with dreams,---and hopes and plans and schemes.

And waits patiently beneath two feet of snow."



Garden on April 20th

The Snow WILL melt, really

     After 2 weeks of overcast skies, the sun finally came out today.  We still have 2 feet of snow everywhere, but the ground is showing through where I shoveled my path to the greenhouse. 
     My friends tell me the maple sap isn't running yet this year.  It's no wonder as we only have a few hours in the afternoon when the temperature gets barely above freezing.  It should start running soon though, as the mid-range weather forecast is for highs in the 40's and lows in the mid to high 20's.  At that rate the snow should be off the garden by early May, about 2 months later than last year.  Looks like a short season.  I can probably forget about the cantaloupe.

 

Blessings for the coming year 



     I'm still looking forward to celebrating the successes and learning from the failures of this coming year.  The hours I'll spend planting, spreading compost and poop, weeding, and sitting in my lawn chair watching the garden grow will be the joy that can only be brought by another year on the farm.  Did I mention the good eats?
     Enjoy the mud when it comes and watch out for the high water.

Don't forget the cole slaw!

     Whoops!  Last day of the waxing crescent moon, and I almost forgot to start the cabbage and broccoli!  How can we have those marvelous summer picnics without some of that savory cole slaw that Amber makes so well?  So I started the broccoli and cabbage in the house today.

Brand              Type of Plant                     Days to      Days to            Comments
                                                                  Germinate   Harvest
Am Seed       cabbage, early golden acre        5-7           60-65       same seed as last year
Am Seed       broccoli, calabrese                   10-21           70          same seed as last year

     Named for a pic-a-nic basket stealing bear, Winter Storm Yogi is coming through tonight and tomorrow.  He may drop a few inches of snow, but he can't ruin my plans for summer pic-a-nics.

Greens, herbs and flowers in the snow

     After predictions of 7 to 12 inches of snow, winter storm Xerxes left us with just a little over 2 inches last night.  Last week when I wrote "One last taste of winter,"  I guess I was premature.  Now they're talking about winter storm Yogi coming.  Nevertheless, I planted the spinach and lettuce in the greenhouse last Saturday, and started flowers and herbs in the house today.

Lettuce and Spinach in these boxes

     The planting boxes pictured above are 2x6 pine boards nailed together with chicken wire stapled to the bottom.  A layer of dry grass on top of the chicken wire  holds in the soil above it, while cardboard dividers separate different types of plants.


Snow slides of the steep roof as planned

     The greens listed below were planted in the greenhouse on Saturday, April 13.
                                                       Days to            Days to
Brand     Plant name               Germination       Harvest       Comments
                Lettuce
Burpee    Black seeded Simpson     7-14                   45             seed bought 2007
NK          Black seeded Simpson     7-14                   45             seed bought 2012
Amer seed  Grand Rapids                10-14              40-60          seed bought 2010
Burpee     Green Ice                         7-10                   45             seed bought 2010
                 Spinach
NK           Correnta Hybrid              7-14                   45             seed bought 2010

        Today, Monday, I started the following flowers and herbs in the house.

                  Flowers
Burpee      Phlox                               11-21          spring bloom
Burpee      impatiens (hybrid)           18-28         summer bloom
Amer Ch  babys breath                        10              quick bloom
Am Seed  petunia                                  ?                                       mixed colors
Am Seed  zinnia                                 6-10           continu bloom  dwarf, mixed color
saved seed  marigold                                                                      seed saved 2010
Am Seed   marigold, lemondrop         7-10
Am Seed   marigold, crackerjack        7-10                                    mixed color
Am Seed   daisy, Alaska Shasta         15-21                                   white, perennial
Am Seed   cosmos, mixed color         10-15
                  Herbs
saved seed  basil                                                                             seed saved in 2010
Am Seed    parsley, moss curled            14               70-75
NK             dill, ducat                          21-25     
Burpee       Fennel, Florence                                      60-90
Burpee       Rosemary                          14-21             90-400
Burpee       oregano                             10-21             90-200

      As I continue to prepare for the time when the soil is warm, I will keep looking for spring's first greening, as she bravely struggles up through the snow.  If you see her before I do, tell her I'm here waiting.

One last taste of Winter

     Another inch or so of heavy, wet snow to add to the inch or so we got 2 nights ago.  I know everybody in the northern half of the country is tired of snow, but ain't it perdy when it clings to the spruce trees and that crabapple tree in the foreground?  Those black spruce were planted a little over a hundred years ago, when this place was originally homesteaded.  They go almost all the way around the house, and make a picturesque backdrop for the farmstead.

     The onions sprouted 2 days ago, and a few carrots are just starting to sprout.  They're inside of course, but I'm still going to plant some greens out in the greenhouse by the end of the week. 
     I'll have to talk to the chickens as there's been no eggs for the last two days.  They shouldn't feel so gloomy just because the sky's been overcast for a while.  Maybe I should sing to them.  Anybody know any good chicken songs?
     Enjoy the snow, but keep your feet dry and watch your step on those icy sidewalks.

Chickens outside and seeds sprouting inside

 

 Poultry Picnic Time

     The chickens have been going outside for the last few days in these balmy 30 to 40 degree temperatures.  They didn't go out before that because the snow was up against their door.  Now there's a narrow path of mud and dry grass next to their house.  Hopefully a few bugs or worms are hiding just below the surface.

"I think I saw a stinkbug down there."

Spring is sprung, the sprouts is riz; I wonder where the grubworms iz.

     The two tan containers on the right contain squash and pumpkin.  The sprouts are from seeds I saved from the 2010 crop, and the cells on the right that haven't sprouted are from seed packets purchased in 2010.  The black containers on the left are tomatoes.  If they all look a little pale and spindly, it's because I just got them out of their dark sprouting place.  A few days in the light will do them a world of good.  The cucumbers, peppers and melons haven't sprouted yet.

     After the long winter's sleep, I am renewed each spring when I see the first signs of rebirth.  Every season of the year has wonderful gifts for us, and spring's first gift is the promise of life's continuity.

Broccoli and cabbage plants to the garden.

     This morning I transplanted the broccoli and cabbage that I had started indoors to Indiana.  10 cabbage plants  on the south end and 12 broccoli on the north end. I have enough left to replant if any of these freeze out, or I decide I want more.  I also mowed the grass area of the garden for the first time this year.  Besides the lettuce and spinach popping through the ground earlier, I noticed the peas and radishes showing little flecks of green today.  The day was sunny and in the 60's, so I spent some time sitting in front of the garden house, meditating.  That's the garden's real purpose.

A note on egg production

Feed costs 12.5 cents/egg

     In 21 days, from 27 March to 16 April, 8 hens produced 108 eggs.  That averages out to 5 eggs a day from 8 hens.  Pretty close to my ideal of every day and a half, a hen and a half lays an egg and a half.  (That's today's math challenge)
     They also consumed 50 pounds of laying mash, costing $13.42.  This cost amounts to $1.50 per dozen.  Other costs, housing, initial cost of hens, periods of low production, probably bring that cost up to at least $2 or more, but the quality of the eggs and the camaraderie with the chickens make it a bargain.
     I'll probably be changing to a less expensive laying mash, but otherwise I'm pretty happy with the way things are going.  Comments or suggestions are welcome in "comments" below.

Planting root crops in the moon's 3rd quarter

Busy day.  Last day of the 3rd quarter, so I had to get those root crops in.

     I didn't have a picture of the Kennebec potatoes or the white onion sets, which I bought in bulk, nor of the radish seed, which was saved from last year's radishes.
     The map below shows where things were planted, except for the radishes.  There is one row of radishes in Wyoming and one in Colorado, in the middle between the 2 rows of potatoes.  The radishes will be harvested before the potatoes get very big.  The blank spots either have already been planted, as the peas in western Iowa and the perennials in northern Wyoming, or are areas yet to be planted.
  
     Rain predicted for tomorrow.  If it doesn't rain, I'll have to water.

Planting on 12 April, 2012

 

     In other news, the chickens took a well deserved rest, laying only 5 eggs today, after their marathon performance of 9 eggs yesterday.

8 hens, 1 day, 9 eggs!

     The old record of 8 eggs in one day is shattered!  You know by now we have 8 hens and 2 roosters.  Today they produced 9 eggs!  5:30 last night, I gathered eggs.  This morning I found 2 eggs in the coop, and at 3:30 PM there were 7 more. Super chickens!
     It's been cooler and windier than usual the last few days with low temperatures in the 20's, highs in the 40's, with a cold, usually west wind of 10-25 mph.  Monday and Tuesday we even had some snow in the air.  Today after about 10 AM it finally started to warm up a bit, and the winds let up.
     Tuesday I scooped more pigeon manure out of the barn, and today I spread it and tilled it into Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Maine, Pennsylvania, New York, the eastern part of Iowa and the southern half of Wyoming.  Those are the areas that I'll be planting to potatoes, carrots and onions on Thursday or Friday, weather permitting.

Garden Map

Seed Packets

I've decided to scan the info off the seed packets for future reference.  I may need a magnifying glass to read them, but the information is there.  The Ferry-Morse peas are 2012 seed.

Peas

The squash on the left is 2012 American seed, on the right is 2011 Northrup King.  The lettuce on the left is 2011 Ferry-Morse, on the right 2012 Burpee.

Squash and Lettuce

The spinach is 2011 Ferry-Morse, the carrots, sweet corn and green beans are American Seed, 2012..

Carrots, Sweet corn, Spinach and Green beans

8 eggs a day!

     These are the 8 eggs I gathered on Thursday, and the 8 hens and 2 roosters responsible.  I give the roosters some credit in keeping the hens happy, and fertilizing the eggs.  We all know that fertilized eggs are better for you than the commercial unfertilized eggs.  They're lower in cholesteral.  (My opinion.  Does anybody know of any studies proving or disproving this?)  You'll also note that 2 hens were very busy when it was picture time.

     The next day, on Friday, I gathered 8 more eggs.  I swear to you I don't have a turkey or a goose in the group.  

     Wouldn't it be fun to hatch out that big one and see what we get?

Cucumbers planted, seed potatoes bought

     I planted 2 pots of NK Sumter cucumbers indoors on Friday.  A pickling cuke.  Seed packet says harvest in 56 days.  On Thursday I bought 2 bags of seed potatoes, Yukon gold and red.la soda.  Two 5 pound bags at $6.50 a bag.  Each is supposed to plant a 50 foot row.  Still looking for Kenebec.  I've always had good luck with those, and they're the best keepers for winter.  Also bought a bag of 100 white onion sets for 99 cents.
     Today, Saturday, I found Kenebec potatoes at Bemidji Co-op.  2 pounds for $1.  I bought them there 2 years ago, and they produced very well.  I will plant the potatoes, onions and carrots within the next week.

Transplanting tomatoes and peppers

     When I planted the 36 pots of tomatoes, I put in 3-5 seeds per pot.  Germination was good so today I transplanted.  they were at the 4 well developed leaf stage.  I ended up with 39 re-potted Rutgers and 52 super beef-steak tomato plants.  The peppers didn't do as well, the year old seed did not germinate, but the new seed did well, so I have 16 re-potted pepper plants.  Now I have 91 tomato plants and space in my plan for 24.  I have 16 pepper plants, and space for 10.
     The first week in June, a decision will have to be made.  What will become of the 67 displaced tomato plants?  the 6 displaced pepper plants?  Will they be left to die for lack of resources?  Will they be relocated to new frontiers, like Manitoba and Ontario north of the barn?  Or Siberia, east of the chicken yard?  Or will they find new homes in gardens on distant planets?  Stay tuned for upcoming episodes of "As the garden turns."

Tentative plan for 2012

     This is the tentative plan.  Things change you know.

     Starting from the west, Alaska is unplanned.  Washington, Oregon and California will be tomatoes.
Minnesota will be green beans, Iowa, west 7 feet peas, east 13 feet potatoes.
Idaho, Tomatoes and peppers, Montana, peas. north 3 feet is garlic planted last fall.
Wyoming, north 7 feet is perennial asparagus, chives and thyme. south end, potatoes.
Colorado and Kansas, north end squash and corn, south end potatoes.
Missouri, North to south, radishes, dill, spinach and lettuce.
Texas, Sunflowers on the north edge, carrots in the south west, onions in the southeast.
Maine, green beans and potatoes.  Illinois, perennial strawberries.  Louisiana, cucumbers.
Indiana, broccoli, Ohio, cabbage north, lettuce south. Pennsylvania, potatoes
New York, carrots in the north, onions in the south.
     Details and changes will come as I do the planting.

Squash, peas and compost

     2nd day after the first quarter.  Indoors I started 3 pots of American Seed table squash, and 5 pots of last year's table queen squash.  They did well last year, planted directly in the ground, late May.
     Outside, I planted the south 15 feet of  Montana, and the west 7 feet of Iowa in FM Alaska early maturing peas.  Temp in mid 30's with no wind this AM, mid 50's, 10-20 mph SE wind this PM.  6 eggs.

     My daughter left a book here on her last visit, "Composting Inside and Out" by Stephanie Davies.  I've been composting for many years, and reaped the results for my garden, but haven't been as serious as I could be..  I sat out in the garden and read about half the book this afternoon. She explains the process and different methods suitable for city and country.  Composting is not just for gardeners.  I learned some new things about the process and the benefits of composting.  Just as gardening illustrates birth, maturing, dying and rebirth in a single year, composting illustrates the necessity of death and decomposition in the nurturing of continuing life.
     The second half of the book deals mainly with earthworms.  Ms. Davies is also known as the urban worm girl.  Who knows?  I may get serious about that too.