Spraying GrazonNext HL

I sprayed the property with GrazonNext HL today using the spray map that I created previously.  However, my plan somewhat changed when I arried and prepared to spray.

I put 24 oz of GrazonNext and 8 oz of FarmWorks 80/20 Surfactant per 25 gallons of water.  Before spraying, I paced myself on the ATV with the tank full of water and 3 mph was about the right pace to cover an acre per tank.  This was with the boom setting on high.  I decided to mix it at 1.5 pints per acre as I thought I would be running below before I was able to do it all.

I began spraying and as I progressed realized I was not using as much of the GrazonNext as I expected.  The two gallon contains 256 oz which would have made a total of 10.6 batches/acres.  Somehow, I made a mistake and thought I only had enough for 5.3 acres.  In the end, I covered 7 acres with some to spare for a second coat along the east fence later if needed.

Spraying Grazon Next HL

I recently purchased a two gallon container of Grazon Next HL.  I really need more to treat everything but I'm going to use this to treat all but the south fence perimeter and the main clearing, tank, and deer stand area.  What I plan to treat is approximately 4.85 acres as calculated using the Sod Solutions measuring tool.

I plan to treat most of it at 1.5 pints per acre as that is appropriate for the weeds which grown along everything but the east fence.  The east fence has established ragweed which requires a rate of 2 pints per acre.  This is going to be really close with the 4.85 acres.  

The Grazon needs to be mixed with water but the rate at which is needs to be mixed is a little unclear.  I have a 25 gallon sprayer so it would be best to spray a 1/2 acre or full acre with one refill just to minimize trips driving around to refill the ATV mounted tank.  I need to research this part a bit further.

I'll likely buy a non-ionic surfactant to help the solution stick and absorb.  These are normally used at a rate of 1 to 2 quarts per 100 gallons.  I can get a gallon container at Tractor Supply for about $25.  One of these should cover me if I'm using 25 gallons per 1/2 acre as I would overall be using about 250 gallons.

John Deere LX255 Repairs

Four years ago, I was given a John Deere LX255 mower as a birthday present in essentially the same condition you see below.  While a little rough around the edges, it provided a way to mow around the cabin.  I used it on a few occasions but then part it near the shed for at least a year.  It then failed to start so I just used the DR brush mower instead.  This year, I decided it was time to get it running again.

To get it running again, the mower will need the fuel drained, new fuel lines, a new fuel filter, carburetor rebuild, new battery, new oil, new air filter, a new front tire and perhaps more.  The plan for now is just to do the fuel, oil, and then try to start it using the battery in the truck.  If it will run, I will invest the rest of the money to get it really functional.  

I pulled the carburetor a week ago but one of the butterfly valves on it was frozen.  After soaking it in carburetor cleaner and working on it a bit I was not able to loosen it up much.  While I hate to do it, I ordered a replacement from Amazon as there were no OEM versions on eBay.  The Chinese replacement carburetors are always a challenge but hopefully it works for more than 5 minutes.

Today, I put on the replacement carburetor, replaced some of the fuel lines (1/4"), installed the new fuel filter (Kohler AM116304), changed the oil (JD Turf Guard 10w30 w JD AM125424 filter)), added the air filter, changed the spark plug (Champion RC12YC), and cleaned it up a little.  I would have tried to start it but I did not want to remove the battery from the truck and had no jumper cables.  I sprayed some WD40 in the spark plug hole just in case so if nothing else this will give it some time to soak until I make it out there again with jumper cables.

Storage Shed Preparation & Delivery

The past three weeks, I've spent a little time out at the land working to prepare for a storage shed I ordered a few weeks ago.  I've accumulated a fair amount of tools and supplies which are taking up valuable space in the cabin.  Additionally, the ATV is always a mess from being in the existing shed with is falling apart.  I decided to buy the storage shed so that I can create a place for everything and the tools and ATV would be stored well and ready for use when I need them.

The first project was to remove a cedar tree that was in the way of the storage shed.  I wanted the storage shed in this particular location so that it was close to the cabin.  I can pull right up in front of it when I enter the property but it is just out of the way.  Additionally, it blocks the view of the neighbors who can see across my land as they drive through this area.  It is a tight fit but I have room for a 12' x '18 shed.

Once the tree was removed, I had to level the land and luckily was able to use my father's skid steer.  I leveled out some high spots on the land and used the dirt to bring the future location of the storage building up to level.  I added quite a few piles of dirt and leveled multiple times to get it really flat.  I then drove the skid steer over it many times to pack it all down really well.  The next step will be adding the pavers which the shed will be placed on.

The pavers were more of a challenge than I expected as it is a bit of a pain to level 16 pavers relative to one another.  I leveled them all according to the cabin dimensions provided by the builder.  Unfortunately, when I was sent a picture of the shed before delivery I noticed that the dimensions could not be right.  I drove over myself to measure the finished shed and found I needed to move half of the pavers which took another afternoon.

The actual delivery of the shed took less than an hour.  My preparation work was good and when the shed was placed on my pavers it was perfectly level.  The equipment used in the deliver was quite impressive.  Once setup, I spent the rest of the afternoon moving tools over into the shed from the cabin and the older shed that we have used to this point.

Seeding with Native Grass

The perimeter of the property was cleared by a bulldozer prior to my purchasing of the land to make way for a fence.  The cleared areas are overtaken by weeds of various types which I'd like to convert over to native grass.  The trouble is determining which form of native grass to use in our area of Central Texas.  I'll use this article to track what I learn about the various options.

When planning to sod an area, or create a food plot for that matter, it is helpful to know the size of the area you plan to seed.  You can attempt to measure but that can be rather challenging with larger spaces or uniquely shaped areas.  A good option is the following website which allows you to set the perimeter of the space you want measured and it will tell you the area of the space selected...

    SodSolutions - Sq Ft Calculator

Native Texas Grasses:

Buffalo Grass

This is a native grass to a large portion of the US.  It grows 5 to 8 inches tall and requires only 12" of rain a year.  It looks quite similar to some of what we have on the property already.  

Little Bluestem 

This is a blue-ish clumping style grass that is somewhat similar to some spots on our land today.  It grows to between 1' and 4' high and requires only 20" to 40" of rain a year.  I suppose it could be used to add some variety to an area but is a bit taller than I think that I'd really want if being picky.

Blue Grama

This is another turf type grass which does not grow over 6" tall and requires only about 7" of rain per year.  Unlike some of the other grasses it can grow in a partial sun area rather than just full sun.  A mix including this would be a good option.  

Native Sun Turfgrass Mix
Thunder Tuff Mix

Vendors

Native American Seed

Plum and Apricot Trees

I purchased five bare root fruit trees which arrived by UPS this week.  I planted four of the five at a distance of 23' apart which should be adequate.  I intended to plant all five but when I measured out the space, the footprint was a little larger than expected so I went with three expecting from the cryptic names on the labels that I planted two plum and two apricot trees.  As luck would have it, I planted three apricot trees and one plum.  The final plum (All Red variety) is at home in a pot so I can plant it later when I arrange a spot to add a fifth tree. 

Bluebonnet Ordinance Storage in McGregor Texas

 https://www.facebook.com/ilovethegreatstateoftexas/posts/the-remnants-of-a-naval-ordinance-facility-near-mcgregor-tx-these-bunkers-were-o/289321951169767/

https://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Before-SpaceX-McGregor-facility-produced-bombs-and-lots-of-them-430442353.html

NWIRP McGregor is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility in McGregor, Texas, approximately 20 miles southwest of Waco. The U.S. Army Ordnance Corps originally established it in 1942 as the Bluebonnet Ordnance Plant. Over the facility’s 50-year history, owners included the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and its current owner, the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). Industrial activities at the site included weapons and solid-fuel rocket propulsion systems manufacturing.

During its prime, NWIRP McGregor utilized 1,400 workers and was the largest employer in the area. Revenues from the facility supported the economies of many local communities, such as the cities of McGregor, Waco, Temple, Killeen, and Belton. At the time of the facility’s closure in 1995, the 625 people still employed at NWIRP McGregor were released. The closure created an economic hardship for the surrounding communities and, as a result, U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards sponsored special legislation to help turn the property over to the city of McGregor for economic redevelopment. Since 1999, 3,500 of 9,600 acres have been transferred to the City of McGregor. Because of the collaboration between the Navy, the City of McGregor, the USEPA, and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the City of McGregor was given with the Community Economic Development Award sponsored by the Texas Department of Economic Development.