Saturday, May 30, 2009

This is the BEST time of year!

We have had a bunch of really beautiful sunny days lately, and even a beautiful rainy day with a soft rain that watered and soaked the earth well. Alycia and I were able to spend part of the day out in the garden--finished transplanting the cauliflower and then seeded kohlrabi, rutabagas, chinese cabbage, pac choi, and swiss chard. It was so nice out that I hated to come in, but at some point it just gets too dark to see those little seeds. :-)

After seeing how quickly all those evil little weeds are sprouting up after our rain, I received a timely email tonight from a favorite blogger and farmer tonight--Herrick Kimball, creator of the Whizbang Chicken Plucker. Ok, so the email was a group mailing, but I swore it was meant just for me. I don't know how he did it, but Herrick knew about my dreaming of a wheelhoe... yes, a wheelhoe. If you haven't seen on of these contraptions, check out Herrick's version; it's a beauty!:

Herrick has designed his own model and included the directions on his webpage. One has the option of ordering all the metal parts from him ($99 intro price) and proceed to put the rest together by one's own means, or he even shows how (if a person is familiar with metalworking and has the appropriate tools) to make the entire thing. I have an old high-wheel hoe/cultivator that I have used on occasion, and it definitely could be improved upon. The old metal wheel is bent and rubs on the frame, catching occasionally. But even with those issues, I can imagine the possibilities of using a low-wheel Glaser-style wheelhoe. I've been dreaming about having one of my own for a couple years, but they are gosh darn expensive!!! Now, with Herrick's assistance, I just may be able to have one. Wait til I tell the hubby what I have planned for his spare time! He already succeeded in making one of Herrick's Whizbang Chicken Pluckers, so this should be easy-cheesy! If you want to see it for yourself, check out Herrick's "Anyone Can Build A Planet Whizbang Wheelhoe."

Well, the weather this weekend is forecast to be perfect for more time spent out in the garden! Yay!

4 comments:

Herrick Kimball said...

Hi April,

I appreciate you telling your readers about my new Planet Whizbang wheel hoe. I launched the web site five days ago and, as far as I know, you are my first blogging friend to mention the hoe.

Best wishes,

herrick Kimball

April said...

Cool! Do I win a prize or something? J/K!

Seriously, though... you're welcome, Herrick! I'm seriously drooling over this wheel hoe! It is past a want... this is NEED. :-) I'm glad to pass the word!

Unknown said...

"Do I win a prize or something?

Well...sort of. I Mentioned you on my wheel hoe blog in the Planet Whizbang Chronicles as having the distinction of being the first to blog about the wheel hoe.

That's something.

Thanks again. :-)

Herrick

April said...

Well, that IS something! :-) Thanks! Now to find the $$$ in the budget to order my wheelhoe part!!!