So Very Close! - Welcome

So Very Close! was Originally Posted on May 9, 2009 by lavarock

First, Yesterday was a busy day here.

I watered all 1600 plants that are still above ground awaiting planting.

Then I moved all of the weed mat material and staged it across the new planting area. I decided upon weed mat rather than constantly using Roundup near the new trees. It will help keep weeds at a minimum and I won’t have to mow as much.

On the water lines for each area I have saddles with a PVC sticking up. Those have caps on them right now so I could test the water pressure. You could call them “risers” or “stubs” if you wish, or not call them at all. I have assembled a right angle connector and nipple with a short piece of non-drip line to them and also attached a valve. I threw each one in the trench where the risers are now. When the drip lines are rolled out, I will cut the riser, attach this adapter and hook the hose to them. Then I just turn on the valve and water flows to each row of trees. A photo would help, but I’m sure you don’t care that much. Suffice it to say, It’s lots of work.

I also positioned the drip line around the property. That is when I realized that I only took delivery of 4,000 feet of dripline and for Monday I need 8,000 feet. I called the supply company and reviewed invoices. When I first spoke with them I was planting 5 acres instead of about 2.5. We specified out all the dripline I needed and to get the best price, it looks like I paid for it all. No wonder my costs were high. They have thousands of dollars of dripline of mine stored out there. I would rather have the money at the moment, but that explains a lot.

I have drawn up a diagram of the planting area, complete with rows and columns (using Excel). I colored each of the rows where the short trees are going. The total trees on property to plant (if some trees did not die) are 1642. There are holes already for each one.

Also I am writing up instructions for the workers.

“Instructions he said?”

I have not yet mentioned it I don’t think. On Monday, while I am working 1/2 a day in town, workers will descend upon the farm and begin planting the above mentioned 1642 trees! Yes!!!!!! Finally!!!!! All the delays and all the work will soon come to a head. I have dirt and the rest of the drip line scheduled to be delivered Monday early. The workers will be here and will start rolling out the weed mat, cutting an X where the holes are, putting dirt and fertilizer in the holes, followed by coffee trees. Then I can roll out the drip lines, attach them to the risers, charge the water pipes with pressure and slowly, very slowly, drip water at the base of each tree. Many of these trees have already blosomed and that means that they should produce SOME cherry this year. Just how much remains to be seen because there is a period where the trees will die back from transplant shock, perhaps. Time will tell.

I still have an issue with a vlve that isn’t working, I still need to decide how to fill the trench (hint: the problem would be solved if I had money to throw at it). I still need to hook the controller up to the lines rather than do things manually.

The remaining issues will not be difficult nor time-consuming; the bulk of the planning and work having been done.

Could this project been done a lot sooner? Yes, ABSOLUTELY! I could start over and have it done in weeks instead of years not that I have been through it. I can tell you though, that there is a pride that I was able to juggle things and work though problems and make lots of decisions. I just wish I was a year earlier. I am running out of money and the income from the new trees would have saved the day. Still, the hope of cherry this year means new coffee to sell and next year should be a bumper crop!

The workers will start Monday and work Tuesday too I’m sure. I don’t know how fas the work will go, but somewhere about Wednesday I hope to have a nice celebration; perhaps at the brew pub. You may not realize it, but the world does NOT revolve around coffee. Just my little part of it here on the Big island!