u/Venaalex

I wanted to thank all of yall who helped me fix the gate that was installed on my new fence. The contractor ran off and didn't even technically finish.

With y'all's advice I dug and moved over the steel post on the right so that both sides of the bracket would connect to the fence. I did continue with my plan to shift one picket from the gate onto the post on the left so that bracket would also be secured on both sides.

I then removed the middle horizontal piece and framed out the gate, installing the diagonal support the whole distance per your suggestion. I did add the middle part back as a hinge screws into it

And for some minor upgrades, I added my preferred vintage style latch and repurposed part of the catch bolt from the original latch to use as a lever to secure the latch once I pull the door shut. I also added the steel caps for the posts.

I'll be painted the silver screws on the hardware to match!

It's not perfect but thanks to yall I feel a lot more confident my gate will hold up and the fence will withstand the elements. So thank you so much!

This year I've really focused on the outdoor space of my yard adding a large raised bed area where the soil couldn't be amended - I've got sweet corn, green beans, cherry tomatoes, chives, basil, peppers and flowers including marigolds, zinnias, geraniums, dahlias, sunflowers and four oclocks growing back here.

I've got Swiss chard, arugula, and mint growing elsewhere!

I also redid the entire front yard slowly turning it into a native garden instead of a lawn. Right now I've got some beautiful salvia lining the front walk way.

I love getting to spend time in the yard, how many of yall garden be it a large space or some herbs in your windowsill?

The way this gate was installed isn't working for me and I have a plan on how I want to fix it. The gate is a week old and already sagging.

My plan (drawn in the third image) is to remove one picket from the left side cutting the horizontal braces and reattaching that to the steel post. Then to the gate itself add upright supports and two diagonals creating a K shape that will serve to provide load support for the hinges which are on the right. I will remove the awkward cross picket which is meant to be a handle and install an actual handle.

The more I look at it though the more I am bothered by where the gate hinges. Currently the steel post is only anchored with the u shaped bracket not screwing into anything on the gate side of the post as that would prevent the gate from opening. My plan will fix that on the left side but not the right. My concern is that I live in an extremely windy area and I would think you'd want the bracket anchored on both sides to achieve wind resistance? I don't know if this is true and this is where I could use your insights.

The fence is only 16 feet long.

If I remove and reattach a picket on the right side that will make the gate 34" wide, which does still work fine for me.

Thank you so much for your input

I started ripping up the yard in March of this year - this layout is phase one and over the next few years ill be working to add more native plants into this bed. And then I can work towards the future no lawn at all dream.

The salvia really burst to life, I am so surprised by how large they already are which makes up for the hostas that something has been nibbling on

I love sitting on my front porch and watching all the different bees, wasps, hummingbirds, butterflies, and dragonflies that buzz about the blooms

And yes the mulch is messy I have a pregnant duo of armadillos

Before photo: Sept 2024 when I moved in

Western Oklahoma zone 7b

This section of my yard was an overgrown mess and the previous owner used it as a mass burial for all kinds of garbage - think 6 foot deep pits of glass - making it impossible to dig and plant.

This is still only my second summer in western Oklahoma so I tried not to scale up too much as I continue to learn about growing conditions but my goodness this little garden brings me so much joy.

Made buffalo burgers for the first time and decided to really dress it up tonight and ended up with the best burger I've ever had.

Cooked the bison burger in the bacon fat, mixed up some homemade bbq sauce with some mayo to spread on both bun halves, picked some fresh arugula and chard from the garden, bacon of course and then served it with some corn!

What are yall eating for dinner/ordering in?

Hi everyone!

I've got a cow skull that was pretty much white and had no visible signs of tissue left. However the smell suggests there's some stuff left in crevices I'm not sure how to get to and between teeth.

Following your guide, I got the largest tub I could find to begin soaking the skull hoping this was help but I've run into a few problems.

I placed my large bin outside, missed the comment about leaving it in the open sun and didn't put a lid on it. My first problem is algae.

I read I could cover it and since the container is dark grey perhaps it would kill the algae. I'm not sure how true this was I went to inspect today, it's been about a week since I added the lid and it's still got algae but worse I have created a habitat for mosquitos.

I'm beginning to think due to the cows horns stretching the bin a tad a lid isn't going to sit tightly.

I am thinking the water soaking isn't my best option, should I take it out and scrub off the algae but I'm not sure where to go from there.

Appreciate any advice this is my first time processing bones.

I really love this belt buckle, it wasn't very expensive and I'm not sure how to determine the metal type. I'm wondering if this is the kind of thing that could be repaired with a soldering iron?

The outside I assume is painted, and the inside where the break is appears to be a dark charcoal color that's kind of sparkly if that helps at all.

Thank y'all so much for your assistance, I really appreciate it.