Sorry, left out part of cleaning the used garbage disposal before use. I gave it a slug of chlorine and left it in the sun for a good while before attaching it to the used SS sink on pallet pedestal. Use care on how the switch is wired. :)Separate what is good for the worms, run it first, all excess and other items get shredded for the compost piles.
We stopped using peat sometime ago after a story in Mother Earth News. Sorry no link. We switched to coir, the shredded husk of the coconut. It comes in compressed bricks. When watered for the first time, the expansion is amazing. Coir, perlite and a mix we make here using some organic matter, fully formed compost (black gold) and we then test for mineral deficiencies and adjust. Robust starts, low mortality, and we think that the vast compression of the coir results in a smaller carbon footprint than peat in a bale or bag.
We use a one gallon net bag with drawstring per 40 to 50 gallons of water to make poo tea or compost tea. So as not to clog the drip tips or spray tip, we use a fine mesh that keep most particulates out, and lets the nutrients steep. Again about 24 hrs seems to work.
We use to be fond of fish emulsion and seaweed for soil amending, but now with Fuke, we will have to adjust how we replenish certain minerals.
We have acquired two scythes, we took them to a real good sand blaster, who used beads in lieu of sand, (less abrasive) and he bead blasted all steel parts so as to let us get them apart.
Then my 78 yr old friend, who has one I'm coveting has the stone designed to keep a sharp edge on. I want that too, now that I know how to use it. We eventually bought the middle and two hand size scythes. kept sharp, I can get in where the whacker tears out too much good most times. How to resurrect life in a old hickory or oak handle. This takes a bit. Using a scrubby and a bit of water. clean the old surface dirt off. Using hand paper, smooth the surfaces a bit for comfort of use. Tack off the wood dust or use a jet blast of air. Using great care to prevent flash over, heat a cup or two of linseed oil warm enough to work it's way into the grain but not so hot a rubber gloved hand can't handle it. Let it soak in all over for 4 hrs and repeat. Let dry for eight and see if the wood doesn't "feel" a bit more elastic. Depending on age, this may take several applications to achieve penetration of linseed oil into the dry old grain. This works on all oak and hickory handles, and can be performed each winter to keep these old, well made, wooden handled tools. When you think the handle can't absorb another drop or coating, wipe excess with shop towel. CAUTION, a linseed soaked rag can and will spontaneously combust. Use a proper designed storage container for oily rags. In a pinch it can be saturated with water and left in a large zip lock bag, sealed against air, until proper disposal can be made.
Great tips for and about pollinators. Check and see if Xerces.org has a branch close to you. World wide organization for all types of pollinators.
Happy Growing
bkpr