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    Thread: Redman's Big Dig...

    1. #1
      Redman8102's Avatar
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      Redman's Big Dig...

      Ive been in the design phase of my pond for a week or two now, But I'm set on the shape and depth.

      It was a gorgeous day outside today and the utilities have been marked now for about 2 days.
      So I thought it may not be a bad time to start this pond! So the ground breaking ceremony officially took place today.


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      I even had a crowd to cheer me on!!

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      But we all know why she was really there, just to supervise! LOL when I took this picture I actually said "Smile for everybody on Koiphen!"

      So the digging commenced for about 2 hrs… and I got about 2 feet down in one section, of course I probably could have done more had I not been jamming out to the 90s pandora station!! I tell you what nothing motivates you for digging like a little Celine dion-"My heart will go On"…

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnie_3sSr_8

      ^^^Thats pretty much how I looked but with a shovel! Anyways in between 90s hits and stopping to snap a pic every now and then I actually did get some work done.

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      And… after the 2 hrs was up my pregnant wife had to get some food and our son woke up from his nap… so Ill just pick up where I left off tomorrow…

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      Not a lot done but Im happy to have something!

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      I guess watching from the window makes you tired

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      More to come tomorrow!!!
      Last edited by Redman8102; 03-08-2014 at 11:32 PM.

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    2. #2
      abuchi123's Avatar
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      That is actually pretty fast. I think RAIN whined about his soil for like the first 10 pages.

    3. #3
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      As I get older and wiser, I realize that some things suck so much I'd rather pay someone else to do it.

      Excavation is on that list, along with roofing.

    4. #4
      Redman8102's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by JohnK87 View Post
      As I get older and wiser, I realize that some things suck so much I'd rather pay someone else to do it.

      Excavation is on that list, along with roofing.
      Well Luckily I still have Youth and stupidity on my side!

    5. #5
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      Quote Originally Posted by abuchi123 View Post
      That is actually pretty fast. I think RAIN whined about his soil for like the first 10 pages.
      That starts tomorrow...

    6. #6
      BWG is offline Senior Member
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      If your going to do it by hand you might want to get one of these to loosen the ground to shovel it out. It will cut your digging time down drastically. The shovel like side works better than conventional pick mattocks. I have a backhoe and still use one a lot when we don't have room.
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    7. #7
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      Right on my man, your engine is rev on . What temperature in your area atm?
      We can't doing anything at least till May up here.

    8. #8
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      After digging my small filter pit 4x4x2.. I decided that any other major dig and I am renting a tractor from Home Depot. I figure the cost would outweigh by the pain I went through for the next week.

    9. #9
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      Off to a good start.

    10. #10
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      Great pics of the family and pets...and a great start!


      Pam

      Montgomery County Water Garden Society
      Clarksville, Tn




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    11. #11
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      Quote Originally Posted by abuchi123 View Post
      That is actually pretty fast. I think RAIN whined about his soil for like the first 10 pages.
      Was it only 10 pages?
      people like to vehemently defend their purchases and find it incredulous that anything could be better

    12. #12
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      Ugh, that NC red clay. I dug my first one by hand, I hired a backhoe the 2nd time.
      Jerry

      Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
      - Thomas A. Edison

    13. #13
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      Sound like a fine ideal. LOL I am watching this thread closely, let Redman experience the Koi's pain of love that way I avoid most of the mine field
      Quote Originally Posted by Jaymeseywaymsey View Post
      After digging my small filter pit 4x4x2.. I decided that any other major dig and I am renting a tractor from Home Depot. I figure the cost would outweigh by the pain I went through for the next week.

    14. #14
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      As you dig down leave a step to step up onto to throw the dirt out.Like a terrace then when your almost done dig that out.It will save your back a bit.
      Click for Southgate, Michigan Forecast

    15. #15
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      Really, you should check into the cost to rent a small excavator of some kind(can you tell I don't know which one is which?!?!). We rented one for a day and had a 23' x15' x 4' dug out in a few hours. We were digging in red clay also. I found a can of PAM spray did wonders helping the clay to slide off my shovel when I got down to shaping the bottom. A little steel wool to smooth off the surface, a file to sharpen the shovel, and PAM made my life a lot simpler.
      GloriaL
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    16. #16
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      Haha Thanks for the replies guys. I don't too much mind the work of hand digging, like I said before I still have youth and stupidity on my side. Plus I don't know if you can tell from the pics or not but I could definitely use the exercise!!

      Thanks for the suggestions on the pick axe, the step, and the PAM…LOL... I really never even thought about a step to get in and out and to ease some labor.

      As for the NC red clay Its definitely a bit tougher to do but 3 yrs ago I dug out my first pond by hand granted it was only 12x8' and about 34" deep and shelved but it was fun! Lol. Gives you a sense of accomplishment I suppose. Plus it save a tad bit of $… and Lord knows in any pond build the more $ you save the better!!
      Last edited by Redman8102; 03-09-2014 at 04:50 PM.

    17. #17
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      Day 2

      Anyways Another beautiful day today 72F and sunny… So already an hr behind due to the time change, and with the supervision of my beautiful wife and son, I put shovel to earth! Today's game plan was a bit different than yesterday's, which was really just to cure my itch and get something started. Today I was going to at least shape out my rectangle and remove all the topsoil.

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      After a little bit of digging, Bennett my almost 3 year old son decided that he wanted to help daddy. So he picked up the shovel and got to work.

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      No child labor laws were broken in this dig

      Of course we pay in HIGH-5s.
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      He also noticed that we had made an "island", sort of intentionally because I knew he'd get a kick out of it. Little did I know so would his mom.

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      So I don't know if you guys can tell but It seems like we do more playing than actual work. But Its all good I guess its the journey not the destination. So back to working we went, and about 2 hrs in it was time for lunch… and a trip to the store. Of course its a weekend and my wife has better things to do with my time than dig holes…

      This was her "reminding" me it was time to go.
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      And this is what the hole looks like during break time…
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      Going back to hit the dirt here soon…
      Oh and just so we can say I did some complaining… The topsoil was pretty rocky, Im guessing from the gravel driveway they pore during new home construction… not to mention all the scrap siding I unearthed

    18. #18
      tsippel is offline Senior Member
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      you inspired me to take pictures of projects i do when i'm doing them.
      does that make sense.
      the dirt is still frozen in the burgh

    19. #19
      Redman8102's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by tsippel View Post
      you inspired me to take pictures of projects i do when i'm doing them.
      does that make sense.
      the dirt is still frozen in the burgh
      Makes perfect sense… I mean don't get me wrong I love seeing people's builds but I also Like getting to know people through their projects… So heres me being somewhat candid with me and the family and letting you guys get to know me!

    20. #20
      icu2's Avatar
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      Great start, beautiful family! This is going to be a great thread.
      I have to ask though... what the heck is your son's toy he carries everywhere? Looks like a leaf blower!

      And I hand dug my ponds... lost 35 pounds and quit smoking!

      Keep up the great work!
      --Steve



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