The Field Notes
Garden knowledge,
built to last.
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No-till vs. till gardening: which soil strategy fits your site?
Compare tilling, no-till, and reduced-disturbance methods by the problem in your soil, the size of the plot, and the work you can sustain.
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Raised bed covers: choose hoops, insect mesh, frost cloth, or poly
Match raised bed hoops and covers to insects, frost, warming, or shade, with practical notes on ventilation, pollination, anchoring, and access.
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How deep should a raised garden bed be? Match depth to crops and site
Choose raised bed depth by total rootable soil, crop needs, drainage, access, and fill cost rather than buying the tallest frame by default.
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How to anchor a shed for wind: base-to-ground connections explained
Understand the complete roof-to-ground load path before choosing concrete anchors, platform ties, earth anchors, or a manufacturer retrofit kit.
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What size shed do I need? A storage and clearance planning guide
Size a garden shed from clear interior dimensions, real equipment, door and aisle space, wall storage, site restrictions, and delivery access.
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Greenhouse flooring options: gravel, pavers, concrete, or rubber mats?
Compare gravel, pavers, concrete, and rubber mats by drainage, cleaning, cart movement, maintenance, and how each floor meets the foundation.
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Greenhouse thermostat buying guide: match the controller to your heater
Match a greenhouse thermostat to the heater’s voltage, load, and control circuit, then compare differential, sensor placement, staging, and alarms.
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Greenhouse snow load: how to read ratings before you buy
Learn what a greenhouse snow load number covers, which documents to request, and how frame, glazing, foundation, and site conditions affect the rating.
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Robotic lawn mower installation: boundary wire and wire free setup
Plan a robotic lawn mower installation from the ground up. Place the charger, route boundary wire or map virtual zones, then test every edge…
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Wood vs. metal raised beds: cedar or galvanized steel?
Compare cedar and galvanized steel raised beds by safety, structure, heat, soil volume, maintenance, repair, irrigation, and full installed cost.
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Garden irrigation pump sizing: match GPM and total dynamic head
Size a garden irrigation pump from the flow and head required at the same time. This guide covers GPM, pressure, elevation, friction, and pump…
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Aerator vs. dethatcher: which lawn problem are you fixing?
An aerator treats compacted soil, while a dethatcher removes excessive thatch. Diagnose the layer, choose the right recovery window, and avoid unnecessary damage.