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.  😦