Soil sifter episode three

LOL Why did you put those big clods in the sifter. I'm sure the hens could have taken care of them very effectively.Failing that why not use the tried and trusted method of killing off grass by placing the clods grass side down in a heap and covering it over for six months to let all the weeds die off. It works. Hurrah but you overloaded it. Typical man ?? spend five hours designing and one hour ruining a perfectly good invention. Would it not be less fun but quicker to hire a sifter for a day. It is fairly coming on well done. Take a look at this website. If you use a wooden box to sieve and put a removable wooden end at one end (so you can tip out the leftovers into a wheel barrow) you could have a more solid riddle. You could still use your jigsaw to move the thing. I await the results of your next effort. http://www.recycleworks.co.uk/spring-box-soil-sieve-c-259-pr-16584.html.

FASINATEING TO WATCH,WELL DONE

Its a man thing Scotsgran! They will not be beaten when they start something eh Ian, I know I have one just like it at home!! I have now awarded you Ian with the apt title of The Mad Inventor!!!!!!!!! Your vids a brilliant to watch.

Brilliant Ian your'e barmy you know that . by the way what part does the loo roll play , i'm sure i saw one on there ??Lol :0))

Scotsgran, Now look here, I've started so I'll finish! Lol ;~))

Actually the whole process is just to test the principle of the thing. I want to finish off with something like the one in the second video. I have to dig down about 12 inches to get to all the rubbish that has been buried in the past so I need something on a bigger scale than most gardeners. I would love to hire one but as I have eighty foot by forty odd foot to clear (the whole garden ) then the cost would be to expensive.

Ladybug, thank you I'm enjoying making them as much as doing the garden!

Thank you Dido, Do I get a badge? Lol I'm pleased you enjoyed my vid's!

Do you know Tulsa, Carol has been telling me the same thing for years! ! !
By the way, I couldn't figure out where the loo role came from either so I went back and had a look. ....... I'm sorry but I couldn't help but laugh! It's actually a big ball of twine, very good for marking out beds etc. and surprisingly strong for repairing holes in mesh! :~))))

It must be true then you know what they say about ladies :0)) Lol

Tulsa, I just don't bother arguing any more. Don't forget I'm surrounded by them! Lol

You can have whatever you want Ian, Badge, Sash, Crown!!!! lol But definately not the last word, its a woman thing!!! lol

I shall say no more! Lol

Think nutty professor is apt !!

Could well be right Grandmage! ;~))

lmso ian, well done and its getting there, i can see the method in your madness thats for sure hahah, good luck my friend, keep ya chin up ;o))

I'm with you Ian, I remember working at a nursery where we mixed our own John Innes compost by the ton. The building where we did this was an ammunition dump during WW2, 60feet x 20feet. First we wheeled in the top soil, put the gem rotovator over it, then shovelled it up on the sieve which was made by using an old bed frame with chicken wire spread over it. We put 4 wheels on each side, made a bench with rails on it and two of us would sieve a ton of loam in an hour, we moved the sieve back which had pram wheels on each leg, put the bales of peat on top of the sieved loam, plus sharp sand, dressed the mix with the fertiliser, put the gem rotovator over it again, turned it twice with shovels, left it for two days and it was ready for the seed trays. What a performance!! Those were the days.

Hi Sandra, thanks very much. :~)))

That sounds like a job you wouldn't volunteer for twice Doctorbob! The frame of my screen is old angle iron I found in the garden covered with 1/2 inch by 1/4 inch mesh (usually used to make pet hutches) the only problem is it isn't strong enough. I'm busy trawling Google for a suitable alternative that won't break the bank! Lol

These days I make up wooden frames with half inch mesh chicken wire on it. The frame has two legs on hinges put on a polytarp set at an angle of 45 degrees. I throw the soil to the top of the frame, the soil goes through and the stones/rubbish falls to the bottom. I can pick out the rubbish to bin. The stones can be put back 1 foot deep, covered with compost/manure. Put the soil back on top, leave to settle after watering in.

That's a great idea Doctorbob but because I'm just starting out with this garden and it's in SUCH a mess I need something a bit easier on the old muscles.

If I could invent something that would dig up about 12 - 18 inches, sieve it and then put it back again I would be laughing! Lol

I'm glad to hear that Started/ finished bit. did you have a look at the web site I suggested. The bought version costs around £80 but I'm sure it is not so different that you could not make one for yourself. I have lived with inventors for the past 47 years and even before that before I left home someone was always making something out of nothing. I had 2 brothers but we all did recycling. My mother in law nearly died when I said it was high time my husbands sports jacket was turned inside out. I did it and it lasted for another 20 years. You obviously were brought up in the same school as us. There is no such thing as a problem, only a solution waiting to come to the surface. I admire your ability to be inventive as I'm sure most Goyers do. Good luck.

I did look at your link Scotsgran and did think I could maybe "adjust" it to fit my needs.
I think we were brought up to "mend and make do" rather than the spend, spend, spend society we live in today. Being disabled (Both Carol and I) we tend to think through problems and find solutions to every day jobs or needs without relying on others to do it for us. That's why we call ourselves "other-abled" Lol.

I remember my dad bringing home a huge bar of mettle and when he had lit a fire in an old dustbin he proceeded to make it into an axe head! No going out and buying one in those days!
By the way I've still got it in my shed!

Well done Ian, resourceful and inventive - necessity is the mother of invention, and one of the things I've loved about gardening is the opportunity to use, well, rubbish, really and press it into service as something else. I've had 4 fridge freezers over the years - ever since the 2nd one, I've never ever thrown away any of the racks or drawers again, very useful out in the garden they were.

Thanks Bamboo, freezers are great for overwintering your tender plants in the greenhouse! They provide an extra layer of insulation!

I never throw anything away, Carol calls me tight, I think I'm doing my bit to help the environment. OK I'm tight as well but I am keeping things out of the land fill. Lol ;~))

I love to hear that. There is nothing other abled about your brain anyway it is all systems go.

Awww Shucks Scotsgran (BLUSH) Thanks XX

You're welcome.

:~))

Resourceful, funny, wonderful! You are so making my evening for me, Ian! You are doing a cracking job lad! :~))

Thanks Floribunda. (Blush) Lol

Blimey, I could almost feel the heat of that blush from here, Ian. It is truly well deserved praise my friend.:~))

Thank you very much Flori, ;~)))