My friend, Sharlet, posted a comment about how I need a hammock. She's right, and yes, I've thought of that, but I won't be able to have one until the trees I plant are strong enough to support me. I replied to her comment (only 2 weeks later!), but I felt that I should share my tree knowledge with you.
My electric company here in Arizona (Trico Electric) has a program called Operation Cool Shade, in which utility subscribers can purchase up to three shade trees at reduced rates from Trico Electric, on the condition that the trees are planted in such a manner around the house that at maturity, they will shade and therefore cool the houses down, thus reducing electricity costs (interesting that the electric company would sponsor a program designed to reduce the consumption of it's primary service/product). There is another program sponsored by Tucson Electric called Trees for Tucson - same thing, different company, different name.
I ordered three trees at $11 per tree. If I attend a tree-growing workshop (I'm going to - 4 hours on a Saturday, too easy), I get $5 off per tree. I'll therefore get three Arizona Ash trees for $18 total instead of $33 - which is significantly less than what I could get from a nursery or Home Depot. I won't be able to pick them up until November, but that gives me an opportunity to focus on other backyard projects. Like raking and spreading gravel :(
Anyhooooo....if any of you are interested in planting trees, check with your local utilities - they may have a similar program. I highly recommend it.
P.S. I know, I know...run-on sentences. Got it. I'll work on it.
Showing posts with label Trees for Tucson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trees for Tucson. Show all posts
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Gravel Delivery Today!
I ordered some 3/8" light-colored gravel for the backyard from Acme Gravel and Sand in Tucson. Finally, the first step!
The problem I had was trying to figure out how to get the gravel delivered to my house. First of all, I no longer have the F-150 (or it's $650/month fuel bill). Not that I would want to make 10 trips to the gravel yard and then shovel the gravel out of the back of the pickup. A lot of gravel companies will deliver to your house, but they simply dump it in a pile on your driveway or on your street, then it's up to you to cart 14 TONS OF GRAVEL on your own to your backyard.
As stated in an earlier post, physical labor is not my strong point. So I called a few "Gravel Delivery Specialists," "Landscapers," "Three Guys and a Wheelbarrow," etc. etc. etc. from Craigslist. The cheapest wanted $700 to spread the gravel in the backyard.
Believe it or not, I actually considered it. I'd rather pay than spend an entire weekend hauling 14 TONS OF GRAVEL to my backyard in a wheelbarrow rated to carry 300 lbs. per load (93-94 loads from the backyard. Definitely not my idea of fun.
However, I discovered a gravel delivery company - Sure Shot.
Sure Shot picks up the gravel, drives to your house, then unloads the gravel via some sort of slingshot-conveyor belt-gravel shooter mechanism. Since the gravel is literally being shot into the yard, the downside is that I am risking some stucco chipping and broken windows. You can see below the defensive mechanism that I commissioned NASA engineers to design in order to prevent a broken sliding glass door.
ghetto blocking device
We'll see how it works. I will post pictures of Sure Shot slinging gravel into my yard. Stay tuned!
Quick edit: you'll notice the black trash can at the left of the sliding glass door. Yes...that is my compost bin. I am now composting.
The problem I had was trying to figure out how to get the gravel delivered to my house. First of all, I no longer have the F-150 (or it's $650/month fuel bill). Not that I would want to make 10 trips to the gravel yard and then shovel the gravel out of the back of the pickup. A lot of gravel companies will deliver to your house, but they simply dump it in a pile on your driveway or on your street, then it's up to you to cart 14 TONS OF GRAVEL on your own to your backyard.
As stated in an earlier post, physical labor is not my strong point. So I called a few "Gravel Delivery Specialists," "Landscapers," "Three Guys and a Wheelbarrow," etc. etc. etc. from Craigslist. The cheapest wanted $700 to spread the gravel in the backyard.
Believe it or not, I actually considered it. I'd rather pay than spend an entire weekend hauling 14 TONS OF GRAVEL to my backyard in a wheelbarrow rated to carry 300 lbs. per load (93-94 loads from the backyard. Definitely not my idea of fun.
However, I discovered a gravel delivery company - Sure Shot.
Sure Shot picks up the gravel, drives to your house, then unloads the gravel via some sort of slingshot-conveyor belt-gravel shooter mechanism. Since the gravel is literally being shot into the yard, the downside is that I am risking some stucco chipping and broken windows. You can see below the defensive mechanism that I commissioned NASA engineers to design in order to prevent a broken sliding glass door.
We'll see how it works. I will post pictures of Sure Shot slinging gravel into my yard. Stay tuned!
Quick edit: you'll notice the black trash can at the left of the sliding glass door. Yes...that is my compost bin. I am now composting.
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