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Box Turtle Enclosure: Progression Thread

The next thing is running drip irrigation into the beds but it's too sunny out now. I also think I'm going to set that first 4x4 into the ground and put another one on top of it- I think that bed's too shallow, but I don't want to go up another level- that would be like building the boxies a staircase!
 

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Things are slowing down now because I need things I can't find locally, like pond liner, or can't quite afford yet, like the solar pump. I didn't run my drip line yet because I want to go look for some shut-off valves and maybe some soaker line for the gardens.

Still, I did get the first row of the garden nailed down, but changed my mind and used rebar, so now I have to go buy more for the second row.
 

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Isabel had a nice sun bath, but then got freaked out and went running all about the pen, stopping right where I wanted to be drilling. So I put her in the drill's purse, and she loved it!
 

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Besides that, I got three sun shades hung this morning. They make it SO DARK inside the house. That wall faces south, and the trees I planted to provide shade keep getting frost damage in the winter, so they aren't growing as fast as planned. The shades will really help- one of the racks was getting afternoon sun through it at an angle. Isabel's viv is right in front of another window, and Mr. Bird sits in the windowsill of the third. I can keep his rolled up about 8" so he can still see out. Obviously a trailer doesn't have nice thick insulation like a "real" house, and my AC struggles, so I am hoping this will make a big difference. Or even a small difference.
 

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Nanci said:
Besides that, I got three sun shades hung this morning. They make it SO DARK inside the house. That wall faces south, and the trees I planted to provide shade keep getting frost damage in the winter, so they aren't growing as fast as planned. The shades will really help- one of the racks was getting afternoon sun through it at an angle. Isabel's viv is right in front of another window, and Mr. Bird sits in the windowsill of the third. I can keep his rolled up about 8" so he can still see out. Obviously a trailer doesn't have nice thick insulation like a "real" house, and my AC struggles, so I am hoping this will make a big difference. Or even a small difference.
Click to expand...

I'm betting it will. My parents put a 'fake awning' on the south side of their house two summers ago. It's one of those cheaper ones that is plastic made to look like wood that can be added with a screwdriver. Since my dad put it up, I can't get him to shut up about how much lower the electric bill is in the summer. :rofl:

Everything is looking wonderful! I'm curious... do you have a finished plan made out, or are you kinda going along slowly developing it?
 
I have a plan. 4x4 pond (actually a 2" deep vanishing fountain for the non-swimming turts!) in the middle, slightly to the south. Pile of logs in the NW corner. Some sort of rain shelter/hibernaculum in the NE corner. Garden along the south- the wall will protect it from the strongest sun. Some sort of shade pavillion maybe in the SW corner. Several small specimen trees. I saw a redbud at Lowes that I just fell in love with, but am going to comparison shop. I need two big leafy small trees for immediate shade. Then fill in with grasses- the types that made it through the winter at Fort Tort- lemon grass got huge, and did really well. The boxies are hard on foliage- they just plow right over it.

I found everything I need to complete the drip system- but now it's too hot out. After I run that, and get the second row of 4x4's in the garden nailed down, then I can fill the garden with soil. I'm going to try 1/4" drip line with drippers every 12", two lines for each tier. I found on/off valves so I can run the tort pen and the boxie pen separately, which will help with my water pressure. I'm going to try to put the valves in those plastic screw top things like they use to access septic tanks. Just hoping I can drill through that to make holes for the line to pass through. I also found 1/4" on/off valves so I can adjust the water going to the garden.

I'm going to feed the pond both from the boxie water line and from a different line that does all the trees in my backyard, so it will have two sources.
 
Done for the day. The garden is nailed down into the ground with two foot rebar, and the drip lines are run, as well as a line out to the future pond. That rope outlines the pond placement.
 

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I drove to four garden centers this afternoon, trying to find a better small tree than the redbud I spotted this morning. There was none better, so I bought it! I did find some nice weeping mulberries, though...I also found a store that sold a pond liner nearly the size I need (I need 10x10, this was 10x12) and underlayment, so I guess the next thing is to start digging...See the garden filled with organic soil? Guess what it smells like! Poop! I need more...Oh, see the redbud- the tallish reddish tree?
 

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I find myself looking forward to your updates more and more with each passing day. Maybe I need a hobby or something D:
 
I'm glad you're enjoying it! I only wish I was making swifter progress. The pond is intimidating, but I think I have it figured out!
 
Monger said:
I find myself looking forward to your updates more and more with each passing day. Maybe I need a hobby or something D:
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LOL same here. I love seeing the progress without having to actualy do any of the work. :laugh01:

Nanci - I admire your hard work. You seem to be a "Jane of all Trades." I wish I had even half of your ambition. I can't wait to see that pond done.
 
I did it!! After the first few loads of sod I took out, it didn't seem possible to dig this in one day, but I guess if you just don't stop shoveling, eventually it gets done. This is 4x4x>2. Many, many wheelbarrows full of dirt came out of there (and had to find a new home somewhere else in my yard...)
 

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I am _so_ done for the day, unless I go buy more soil. I ordered everything I need for the pond today- liner, underlayment, filter, pump, solar panel, the grids that make it shallow and hold the substrate.

Oh, and I'm out there hauling dirt around with my lawn tractor, and see my neighbor. Out drinking a beer at 9AM. We talk for a while, and I find out his wife (that he's been together with as long as I've lived here) has gotten unbearably homesick for her family in Denmark and gone home. I am so sad- for him, and I liked her a lot. No more Thanksgiving dinners over there, I guess.
 

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Don't know how I missed all these updates!!!!!!Just wanted to say WOW, awsome work so far and I love your bearded dragon and how he just looks so relaxed.:)
 
Nanci, you're an inspiration. But also, very, very cruel. I keep coming back to your thread and realising that I can't do this in my garden. :(

I don't have the space (well I do, but there wouldn't be room for much else, lol) or the climate to do so.

So I guess I'll just live through you :D Oh and I agree mdrews, Isabel (she's a girl :)) is gorgeous. :)
 
Well, I did just about nothing today! Put some blocks around the edge of the pond- thinking about how I am going to hold the liner down. Found out I needed ten more than originally thought. Those bricks will actually get set in at about ground level or slightly below, with the pond liner folded over them, with another layer of something heavy on top of that.

Found out I accidentally ordered two pond liners- it costs too much to send back- anyone in Florida need a 10x10 pond liner?? I did fill up the rest of the garden with soil and bought some tomato plants for it, but I have to actually hook up the drip irrigation before I plant them in there. I'd better get busy tomorrow...
 

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Nanci said:
Well, I did just about nothing today! Put some blocks around the edge of the pond- thinking about how I am going to hold the liner down. Found out I needed ten more than originally thought. Those bricks will actually get set in at about ground level or slightly below, with the pond liner folded over them, with another layer of something heavy on top of that.

Found out I accidentally ordered two pond liners- it costs too much to send back- anyone in Florida need a 10x10 pond liner?? I did fill up the rest of the garden with soil and bought some tomato plants for it, but I have to actually hook up the drip irrigation before I plant them in there. I'd better get busy tomorrow...
Click to expand...

When my uncle did his pond, he put a layer of rocks, the liner, and then another layer of rocks... might work for you too.
 
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