u/Coolbreeze1989

I planted cow peas in my raised beds. They grew beautifully and so fast! I chopped about a week ago so they’re yellow and drying out, but of course not broken down. How do you all manage the biomass sitting there when you go to plant? I don’t usually till but I have a tiller for when I make new beds - use it now? Do you mow/mulch the dried bits? Or do you just push it aside, seed, then recover? Thanks.

I have always used the front/back doors to let my dogs in and out. Recently installed a dog door in my side door as it was the only one compatible.

If I go outside without my dogs, my 15 month-old BOLTS OUT THE DOG DOOR to make sure he can come with me, but otherwise seems to forget the dog door exists. Wants out at night? Barks. Wants back in? Occasionally uses but mostly barks at other door (and scratches aggressively). He clearly knows how to use it when I leave, but at other times seems wary of it.

The side door is clearly visible from the center of the house. I put a nightlight both inside and outside for a visual reminder. It is a collar-activated door: I’ve adjusted the opening time and distance to make it open earlier and stay open longer (my “indoor only” cats have of course taken advantage to sneak out with a dog…). I now use the physical insert to block exit instead of just turning the door off so there is a visual cue - I wondered if maybe he got discouraged if he couldn’t tell when it would work vs when it wouldn’t.

Any tips to get him to use it more consistently?

I have a large area in front of my house filled with large river rock due to severe erosion. I’d like to scale this back significantly and replace with functioning drainage and attractive native landscaping. The issue: because of irrigation system and sod on pure sand between the rocks and where they need to go, I will cause way too much destruction with a skidsteer (I know this from experience). Any machine suggestions that would reduce the labor but not destroy the sod/irrigation system? I’ll be moving the rocks to existing “riverbeds” created to reduce erosion on slopes.

I have a flat front tire. I know I can use the loader to lift, but I’d like to have a secondary safety jack as it will be 24 hrs from wheel removal to replacement. I’m unclear the safest location to place this. Advice?

I have a flat front tire. I know I can use the loader to lift, but I’d like to have a secondary safety jack as it will be 24 hrs from wheel removal to replacement. I’m unclear the safest location to place this. Advice?

I have very sandy soil (9a Texas) which requires frequent watering as it just doesn’t hold water. I ran 4 1/2” mainlines and then drip rings around each tree then covered with mulch to preserve as much water as possible and to reduce risk to lines when mowing. I have seeded clover and I cover under the tree (not root flare) with compost each spring as I know more organic material will help with water retention (as well as general health).

I have great pressure from my well, BUT the well water is really high in iron. I use filters on each mainline and clean them regularly (not a lot of debris), but my drip line is clogging (I can see rusty accumulation, plus likely sand playing a role). Unfortunate I can’t tell there is an issue til a tree starts to look crispy, because the drip is buried.

What can I change over to from drip rings off my 1/2” mainlines that would be less clog-prone? Risers with spray jets? Thanks

I searched this sub and am looking at the ideas I found, but does anyone have feedback on quiet options? I’ve never used a dryer but my dogs don’t like the vacuum (though they should certainly be used to the daily sound!). With five pyrs and now two who love the pool, it’s time to buy. Thanks

ETA: currently looking at flying pig vs shelandy vs shernbao, but open to other options. Hoping to stay <$200

I have a 3’ wide space between my gravel road and a 6ft wood privacy fence. I live on a bit of a hill so my closest neighbors (1/4 mile) to can still see my house from their porch. I’d like to plant some (non-arbor vitae!) options for blocking their view. Their side of fence is cow pasture.

Pure sand for soil. Fence is on southern side so plants will be part-shaded til over 6 ft then full sun. Drip line will be run for establishment at a minimum.

Property otherwise covered in post oak, live oak, cedar, and god-awful amounts of native yaupon that I have to fight from constant encroachment. I’d like to add some diversity to what’s here already, preferably native but ok with nonnative if not an invasive/problematic tree.

I’ve considered full size crepe myrtle but I’ve read so many love vs hate posts I’m not sure about this. I’ve added some redbuds along part of the road but I didn’t want to do monoculture the whole length if there are better options.

Opinions appreciated for this site-specific option. I plan to be here for a long time.

Thanks.

Color preferable.

Wood framed cattle panel tunnel. Would like to remove the end walls for summer ventilation, but debating impact on wind resistance: will it reduce resistance or create “lift” through tunnel?? Anyone with better physics knowledge and/or experienced insight? Thanks!

On one hand I can see the

Retired and in early 50s. $4m in annuities plus $9k monthly income annuities that cover my expenses. I own my home outright. I have had serious anxiety re investing for various reasons, primarily that my now-ex husband with day-trading aka gambling issues took half of all I’d earned/saved on top of the hundreds of thousands he lost day trading. Annuities were purchased to keep funds “safe” from him. So I’ve already dealt with the serious financial loss after working to build an extremely comfortable retirement then losing half. Hence the anxieties. I recognize that I am very fortunate to have what I still have and am grateful even as I have my anxieties re the losses.

I understand I need to have stock exposure or all my safe “gains” will be lost to inflation. I also have a very pessimistic view of the economy/world affairs that makes me hesitant. I understand that once invested, I need to leave it all alone and just not touch it for a decade +. I believe in the boglehead philosophies and I mathematically/logically buy in to them, but as I said…anxieties.

I have $300k in a Roth and $100k in a traditional Ira (10% of my total accounts) all currently in SPAXX. I understand I can’t touch them for 7+ years so long time horizon. I can financially afford for them to drop without impacting my living but it would be really nice to have them augment later years’ spending by achieving growth. After all my reading here, I’m planning 60/40 FZROX/FXILX. I’ve read the wiki discussing dollar cost averaging vs lump sum and why lump sum typically is better, but with what feels like impending AI and Iran war doom, I’m hesitating. But my hesitation because of all the recession fear mongering since last administration that didn’t come to pass, and I realize I’m guilty of “trying to time” the market by waiting for the recessions (I am WELL aware of the gains I’ve missed so please don’t point that out as it already hurts plenty).

I’d appreciate some current day viewpoints on this lump sum investment timing vs DCA of maybe $20k/month. I’m obviously not looking at bonds as I have the majority of savings in uber-stable annuities. Any insights/alternatives besides the FZROX/FZILX plan appreciated. I do not plan to leave fidelity but I understand the non-transportability of the Zero funds.

Thanks to all.

My SIL has both hands bandaged and can’t do basic things without help. Any items that really helped? Thank you.

Am I correct that one can put $7500 into a Roth IRA as well as $24,500 into a 401k? And spouse can put the same amounts into their own IRA/401K?

Already have 12month emergency fund. Won’t be able to hit those maxes quite yet, but wanting to know if I’m understanding the rules correctly. Thx

In 30s so no catch-up contributions.

First blade change. Manual doesn’t list size; my standard dewalt torque socket set doesn’t have one big enough. Anyone know the correct size? Measuring I’m getting 1 1/8? Thank you.

I have a Deere 3038E with standard hydraulics. I’m looking for a reasonably-priced implement to cut back ingrowing branches/yaupon from the existing trails on 120 acres. Trails need to be trimmed every couple years and I don’t want to keep paying or managing by hand.

I’ve looked at flail mowers but these require additional hydraulics. The lane shark seemed like it may be a good balance of cost-capability. Anyone have experience/insights on these? Thanks.

My large tomato bed was looking great, lots of cherry tomatoes nearing ripeness. Had several days of downpours. Went out to harvest and there are LF bugs. EVERYWHERE. Every tomato is damaged.

I’ll be culling the tomatoes and thinning the admittedly-dense plants, but treatment? I’ve read neem oil or soapy water, but will those mess with pollinators too? Anyone have good Texas-effective recs? (We all know bugs here are built different 🤪)

Thanks.