Solving the water problem

I've been doing a lot of digging for someone who doesn't believe in digging beds.
I'll tell you all about them while I finish the Irish potato beds--and then we'll finally solve the water problem.
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Written version: rootsandcalluses.com/092-pota...
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Drone footage was provided by my husband. All other footage was created by me or filmed for me.

[@RoseRedRoseWhite]

Idea! What about adding grass etc then wood chips into the empty parts of the potato trenches to stop it from collapsing back into itself, and provide a mini compost to help feed the potato bed and the disturbed soil? Like hills/swales for water retention and control with compost!
Its officially time for a straw hat methinks :D You are officially Farmer Roots! Well, that and it will help keep you cooler and prevent sunburn on your shoulders/face *cough* I wouldn't know anything about that...except OWWWWW from the year I discovered first hand those hats are nothing to make fun of and the old timers have it right ha!
Brave-I know gutters can be sharp in addition to being no fun to install yourself.
Thank you for sharing with us and letting us hang out with you and Pepper

[@RootsandCalluses]

I already have the first compost in the ditches. They will get filled with spent hay and some other mulch very similar to your suggestion. I also do own a hat. It is not a straw hat but it is a sun hat :) I am sure it will come out again soon. Thank you so much for being here!

[@Go4thIn2023]

Persistence pays off!!! Yay.

[@RootsandCalluses]

Indeed it does. I have found that to usually be the case. Just no giving up ;)

[@caravanmassennhoven4004]

Is your soil very sandy? That would be really good for potatoes.
Wow!! That was so much work!! So worth it to not have to haul water around. I thought you did a great job with those gutters.
I collect some water off my roofs but I definitely need to improve on it. I am looking into IBC totes.
I have put my potatoes in the ground for the first time. I have been growing them in bags and barrels up until now. Without a lot of success.
I disturbed the soil a little using a broadfork technique (I don't actually own one so used a pitch fork) to add some sand to my very clay like native earth and am mounding straw to give them enough growing space.
My dog also would rather drink out of any other water source than his bowl.
I enjoy watching your videos. I find them to be very peaceful. Be well from Canada 🇨🇦

[@RootsandCalluses]

I am sure I answered this on the phone this morning but I guess YT ate yet another comment.
My soil conditions vary from one step to the next. The previous owner has been doing things the same (albeit chaotic) way for a long time, so the ground is firm where people tended to walk (I would not call them paths), especially loose where carrots or potatoes where pulled etc. But where the potatoes are, the soil is on the sandier side.
I'll be mulching them over the season. Either over the next few days if all have come up or after my hiking trip next week.
If I want to grow anywhere that used to be path, I'll also need to do the broadfork thing (which I also don't own). Glad to hear a pitchfork works ;)
Thank you for being here and the thoughtful comment!

[@rosebayer114]

Awesome job Kate! Ive never installed rain gutters so didn't know how much work goes into it. A lot! I have to ask where you got your watering can? The full gentle spray is what I've been trying to find. 🙂

[@RootsandCalluses]

Turn the spray head upside down. It looks weird but makes the spray gentler.

[@theuser1596]

Barefood? Great

[@RootsandCalluses]

If you would like to know why, check out video 008 or the Q&A videos (051, I believe).