Terry started covering the rest of the transmission ditch. Terry’s been putting in transmission pipe for some time — a transmission ditch is just that a ditch that takes the water from point a to point b or c or d or whatever. We do Not irrigate out of a transmission ditch. A transmission ditch is just a mini-canal.
With water always an issue, and getting worse in the southwest part of the United States, we are always trying to think of ways to help the water stretch further. (We are in the abnormally dry area). An open dirt transmission ditch has lots of problems—water is lost through evaporation (the sun beats down and takes up water into the air), the ground itself has to absorb the water until it get full enough of the water (turns to mud) for the water to move fast enough toward the take out point to get enough to start the siphon tubes or to fill the gated pipes, and then there are the weeds. Weed seed just naturally flows toward soil in water, when the water is stopped from that transmission ditch, the weed seed stops with the water; delightfully growing and growing taking up even more water as the season progresses.
So yesterday Terry began the closing in the ditch, shifting the ground so the deep frost will start to dry out, and gathering the weeds in a pile so the cows can munch through them. Even if we get snow the snow will blow on over toward the canal now and not land in the ditch causing us to have to wait even longer before we can begin.
Once the ground is frost free (or Terry gets tired of waiting) the backhoe will come in and dig the last link to connect all the transmission lines together. Then Terry and I will start laying the pipe; then covering up the pipe. Once done we will be ready for the new year to begin.
This weekend is the second consignment sale for the winter. We’ve decided not to take anything up to it, but wait for the first week in March for the third consignment sale. Every day we moving closer and closer to the beginning of another season of farm work.
Once that happens I know that we have advanced into spring!
Your friend on a Western Colorado farm,
Linda
P.S. Cully if you are reading this, your email doesn’t work. I’ve tried to answer your comment two times and the mail comes back undelivered. Please know that I really appreciate you taking the time to read and to stop by and comment. I’m sorry if you aren’t able to get my replies. I do try to reply to everyone who leaves me a comment. 😦
Life on a Colorado Farm 
It’s obvious that you and Terry are not sitting in the house trying to keep warm during the winter. I think piping your transmission ditch is a great idea — every drop of water saved can be used by the crops.
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I like Terry’s tractor! That’s the best kind…..built in air conditioning! Wish you would get some moisture! It started raining here around 10:30 and the weather man predicts that we will get either 6-8 inches of snow, or 7-12 inches . We are very close to the line. I’d guess in the 4-6 inch range.
Spring will be along. Just hope it brings you water!
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Hi Linda, Terry must be busy all the time! Makes sense to me to use as many transmission pipes as possible to save on water and work. Our irrigation methods make the best use of the water:)
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even in your ‘off’ season, you stay busy.
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It’s hard to believe how much work you are doing before the farming season starts. On another subject we may have a storm moving in. Will try to pass it along to you.
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There’s always something to get done, isn’t there? I think Boomer is doing his part. 🙂
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Great that you are doing whatever you can to save as much water as possible for your crops.. That is GOOD. You two have a great schedule and don’t ever get my ‘off’ time, do you?
Hugs,
Betsy
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There really is no ‘down’ season for you is there? You do a great service whenever you mention water (or rather, lack of it), reminding your readers that it is not just something to be taken for granted.
Linda, I copied the comment you couldn’t post on my blog and it went OK. Typepad has put in some strickter spam filters.. It might be that it didn’t publish yours because you had a link to your blog within your comment. I left that out when I copied it. I am going to ask in a post if anyone else is having problems though…
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Farm work is always waiting, isn’t it?! The farmers are busy here, too, working up the land and praying rain and/or snow will come and soak in deep. Will keep prayers for moisture for you and us in my prayers.
Really, really love your header!! Blessings!
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This should not be called Winter Work. It should be called Winter WORK! Farming is wicked hard labor! Impressive.
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What a challenge it must be to be battling water shortages. Do you collect water from your roof as well?
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Busy busy busy. I always like what the “old guy” says. It keeps ya off the streets and outta the bars! ha!
The frost isn’t deep at all this year! Maybe 2 inches here.
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Thanks for the reply Linda, and I’m amazed that it’s illegal for you to collect rain water, especially as so much evaporates from the ground. This really brings home to me how severe the water shortage is in your area.
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Well I hope there’s some time in the day or night when you can both put your feet up !!!!
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Thanks for the look into Colorado farm life. We do have a well here in Western Massachusetts, a shallow one at that, but water has never been a concern here (so far!).
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Thank you, again, for all you do, Linda. ♥
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That sounds like a great idea for the water, but a lot of work involved.
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