Will you be out in the yard watering plants this weekend? On my big farm, it takes a lot of close monitoring to stay on top of the watering tasks. I use many hoses, a variety of sprinklers, and now soakers that can also help irrigate at night, making the entire process more efficient and eco-friendly.
One of my favorite sources is Gilmour, a company that’s been manufacturing hoses and other watering solutions for more than 70-years. I've been using Gilmour products for a long time and have always been pleased with the durability and performance of their supplies. This week, Pete Sherpa and Fernando Ferrari from my outdoor grounds crew, carefully positioned soaker hoses under trees and various plants in the allées, in my pergola, and in the border beds around my pastures - any areas where this type of watering is most needed. It's quite an undertaking, but I know these Gilmour soaker hoses will help keep my valuable specimens well-irrigated through the season.
I also use Gilmour garden hoses. All of Gilmour’s hoses curve without kinking, connect without leaking, and are so easy to store.
Fernando removes all the packaging and prepares the hoses to be distributed and placed. A map of their locations is also made so they can be turned on and off quickly and easily.
Each of these hoses is 50-feet long, but they also come in a 25-foot length. They are made from 100-percent recycled vinyl, which is environmentally friendly and clog-resistant.
Both ends have industrial strength brass fittings. This is the hose connector at one end.
Inside is a special washer that controls the water flow.
The other end is fitted with a cap. These hoses are also designed with special coverings to protect them from UV rays and extend the lifespan.
Pete uncoils the hose first to determine how many he will need for a certain area. This is my long clematis pergola. Soaker hoses are placed behind the boxwood borders on both sides.
Fernando holds one end in place as Pete positions the hose under and around the plants.
Here, Pete lays the soaker hose behind the boxwood across the carriage road in my Stewartia Garden. I instructed Pete to put any hose where it is least visible.
These soakers are also designed to be buried under compost material for year-round irrigation without wasting water. Any hose that is seen will be lightly buried later.
The hoses are connected as they are put down. For the best water use, Pete and Fernando limited the total section lengths to three 50-foot hoses, or 150-feet. These hoses also connect to garden hoses if needed.
Here is Pete uncoiling a hose at my Linden Allée. Notice the slight incline of the garden bed. Pete places the soakers at the highest point so any water can drip downward to irrigate.
And here he is underneath my long Boxwood Allée. Be sure any water also travels down hill from the source wherever possible. If it is not possible, the pressure will still carry the water where needed, but may take a bit longer.
Here is Pete by the hydrangeas surrounding my horse paddock.
If there is extra hose at one end, just circle it around the last tree or shrub. The hose is designed to be flexible enough to snake around garden beds next to plants to target irrigation straight to the roots.
Use garden hoses splitters, available at garden centers, to connect multiple hoses to a single water source.
A splitter can also be used right at the hose bib.
Here is the amount of water that flows through the hose once it is turned on.
The water is released via tiny pores along the hose length, allowing for even distribution.
It is easy to see the water droplets coming through the hose. These hoses will irrigate the beds through the night and then be turned off come morning.
The hoses water down to the roots with steady streams that can be efficiently absorbed through the soil. In addition, Gilmour hoses are all made in the USA and backed by lifetime warranties. Thanks Gilmour. The following clips show how it’s done.
If you're in or near Purchase, New York next Friday and Saturday, August 22nd and 23rd, make some time for an estate sale at a beautiful and historic home – the entire contents of the residence is up for sale.
Whether or not you're searching for something specific, you'll have a great time. Some of the items for sale include designer furniture and luxury décor, fine art, unique collectibles, and one-of-a-kind statement pieces. You'll also find glassware, tableware, jewelry, clothing and accessories, and so much more. The event is hosted by my friends, antiques dealers Vincent Manzo and Jim Klinko. Try to visit - there's something there for everyone. Be sure to look out for the detailed listing on EstateSales.net.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
The home was originally built in 1918 for New York Governor Herbert H. Lehman. The historic Tudor-style estate was meant to be both a private residence and a country retreat.
Inside, the home is filled with light and beautiful details throughout including the stone archway in the distance.
The carved stone arch marked “The Man Cave,” is the doorway to a wood-paneled study and where the estate sale hunt begins…
For those who enjoy card games – Gozo perhaps – here’s a card table complete with four chairs.
This exquisite antique bombe commode is crowned with a polished black marble top, richly veined in white for a striking, timeless contrast.
Also for sale – a beautiful collection of rolled vintage and antique-style rugs, showcasing a variety of muted, time-worn palettes from soft blush and sage to cream, gold, and burgundy.
This is a decorative pedestal stand crafted from richly stained wood, showcasing detailed carved accents along its base and column. It supports an antique-style urn planter with a weathered, crackle finish.
Above this mantel, two decorative urns – also for sale.
This is an historic Baltimore Philharmonic grand piano once used to fill concert halls with music, now ready for its newest owner.
The mahogany body and legs are in pristine condition.
The piano was thoughtfully handmade by Wm. Knabe & Co.
There is also a curated mix of chairs at the sale – antique, vintage and modern. This is an ornate Rococo-style armchair with a heart-shaped back and gilded details.
Here’s a playful pop of style for those interested in a fun chartreuse egg chair with a modern geometric pillow.
Halloween will be here before you know it. These are life-sized mummy decorations surrounded by other seasonal décor and fun holiday pieces.
This 1974 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a rolling time capsule. Its original red-orange finish carries just the right patina. And it still runs smoothly after all these years.
This vintage crib is waiting for just the right buyer to restore it.
Outdoor furniture is also available – summer is not over just yet.
Here’s a beautifully crafted vintage brass fireplace fender featuring an openwork design with gently arched rails and decorative rosette accents.
And look at these – vintage cast stone garden chairs – richly sculpted and naturally weathered. I think these may look great at my farm, what do you think?
The owner’s Newfoundland naps when not guarding all the activity – but of course, the lovable canine is not for sale. If you’re free next weekend, do stop by Purchase, New York to look, shop, buy, and have fun.
Here at my farm, I always try to impress upon my gardeners and outdoor grounds crew to "use the right tool for the right job" - for efficiency and for safety. Among our favorites are the durable, easy-to-use items from STIHL.
I've been using STIHL products for a long time. STIHL is recognized as a worldwide leader in outdoor power equipment and offers an extensive lineup of different pieces including professional-grade chainsaws, blowers, trimmers, pressure washers, brush cutters, and so much more. STIHL's pieces also come powered by gas or portable battery. These dependable tools allow the crew to successfully complete the many, many tasks around my working farm.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
I keep all the STIHL tools in my large Equipment Barn where they can be kept organized and ready-to-use.
Not long ago, my friends from STIHL delivered a selection of new products for different tasks – some battery operated, some gas-powered, and some manual. Plus, new charging equipment to help keep all our battery-operated units ready-to-use.
It is used to cut through heavy growth with its durable 9.84-inch circular saw blade.
Adan Morales, who works on my outdoor grounds crew and handles all the lawn and brush cutting equipment sets it up to test and cut some of the unwanted growth in my hayfield.
Having easy access to all the controls makes it very efficient and safe. This brush cutter also has a powerful low exhaust emission engine that saves on fuel.
STIHL also offers mowing equipment. I have this STIHL RMA 756 V push mower. A push mower is a walk behind unit that an operator pushes forward or backward to mow the lawn. This machine has a cutting height range from one to four inches to accommodate a variety of different grass types, terrains, seasons, and weather conditions.
This 22-inch deck, long-lasting, powerful battery push mower makes accurate cuts and easy running wheels for maneuvering and line holding during operation.
Adan knows exactly which mowers are best for every area of the farm. Here he is mowing the narrow areas in between my pin oaks in the allée. Another benefit of this mower is that it is equipped with a mono-comfort handlebar, which is sturdy and secure.
I’ve been using STIHL’s backpack blowers for years here at my farm. Both the gas and battery powered units are powerful and efficient. This is the STIHL BRA 600 which features an exceptional power-to-weight ratio for heavy-duty work and optimal comfort. The radial fan motor with noise reduction also keeps noise at a minimum.
These blowers are used all year round. Fernando secures the three-point harness which makes it easy to carry and operate.
Here’s the battery-powered blower that’s used every day to blow leaves and other debris off the terraces and footpaths around my home.
The HSA 140 T hedge trimmer provides high blade speed, small tooth spacing, and low tooth height for precision hedge trimming and sculpting. Phurba uses it to groom the tops of my lilac trees by my home.
When it comes to smaller touch-ups, the HSA 26 Battery-Powered Garden Shears work great. The HSA 26 is lightweight with a rubberized handle for user comfort and a secure grip. It comes with its own roll-up case to store all its accessories. I use this tool all the time too.
STIHL’s most well-known tool is the chainsaw. STIHL designed and built its first electric chain saw in 1926 and 94 years later, it is still one of its best pieces of equipment. The chainsaw has soft grips for comfortability and secure maneuverability. STIHL offers gas-powered chainsaws as well as battery-powered chainsaws.
My crew makes sure to maintain all the chainsaws and sharp tools regularly. The STIHL blade tools are sharpened often to keep them in the best working condition.
For charging batteries, STIHL offers this AL 301-4 Port Multi Charger. It can sequentially charge up to four AP batteries, making it ideal for large set-ups like mine.
And STIHL also offers manual tools. Pasang uses STIHL loppers to prune the hawthorn trees behind my chicken coops. STIHL loppers come in 28-inch and 24-inch sizes.
And don’t forget safety equipment whenever working with sharp tools. All my STIHL tools and supplies keep my team ready to take on any task at any time. Thanks, STIHL.
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