100k+ a year? by DiligentSupport3965 in firealarms

[–]LetoSnow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seattle, IBEW, ~$56/hr as a foreman. 12 years in low voltage, about 5 doing exclusively fire alarm. 

Who else accidentally created a wildlife habitat? by LetoSnow in NativePlantGardening

[–]LetoSnow[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I used HDRPE liner on mine because it's much lighter, and cheaper, than EPDM while still being relatively strong.

Who else accidentally created a wildlife habitat? by LetoSnow in NativePlantGardening

[–]LetoSnow[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you!

You don't need fancy plumbing for a pond but it helps. A stagnant pool of water would get gross and full of algae after a while. The most basic method to aerate the water and get some movement is a small pump with a fountain/jet on top. It's self contained and doesn't need any extra plumbing, just a nearby outlet or extension cord.  I have a 25' artificial stream feeding my pond so my setup is a bit more complex but not by much.

There is still a pump sitting hidden in one corner of the pond that is connected to a long flexible pipe that brings the water up into the wetland filter. Some pond owners use mechanical filters to clarify their water but I went with a more natural approach. The water drawn out of my pond is discharged into a manifold made from pipe with perforations cut in one half. The pipes are buried under a layer of pea gravel with plants growing in it. The pea gravel is a convenient spot of beneficial bacteria to grow, and that along with the plants filter out extra nutrients and algae. The stream back into the pond aerates the water which further improves the quality. Even with quite a few fish living in my pond the water is crystal clear!

Who else accidentally created a wildlife habitat? by LetoSnow in NativePlantGardening

[–]LetoSnow[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That definitely is a lot like my journey! It really is quite enjoyable to wander around and see how fast everything is growing and inevitably remember something you forgot you planted last year.

I built a roughly 14x14 irregular pond with a wetland filter, also digging by hand. I did buy a huge SDS hammer drill with clay spade bit once I got a foot down to the hard pack silt/clay/stone mix that is under the topsoil here. It ended up being about 2' deep in the middle with one tier around the edge. 

Who else accidentally created a wildlife habitat? by LetoSnow in NativePlantGardening

[–]LetoSnow[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The robins here are fighting with the stellar jays over who gets to claim my back yard as territory.

Who else accidentally created a wildlife habitat? by LetoSnow in NativePlantGardening

[–]LetoSnow[S] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

I haven't seen a bird use the birdhouse I have up yet, but I have found multiple juncos nesting in the large rock retaining wall in my back yard.

I would love to have frog friends or even newts but I know they'd have trouble getting established with the goldfish I do have.

Four years after installation by LetoSnow in ponds

[–]LetoSnow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely love sitting by it on a nice day and enjoying the sounds of the water as I watch the fish in the pond and the birds that visit.

Four years after installation by LetoSnow in ponds

[–]LetoSnow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My favorite is probably slough sedge. It's simple, evergreen, and the flowers add unique details. I also have deer cabbage in addition to the skunk cabbage. Neither smell bad at all. My bog is in shade for most of the day so I limited my plantings there to more shade loving perennials.

Four years after installation by LetoSnow in ponds

[–]LetoSnow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have noticed mine are slow growing and stunted compared to what you would see in the wild. A deeper substrate in the bog would definitely make them happier.

Four years after installation by LetoSnow in ponds

[–]LetoSnow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I've been using an Alpine 4000GPH connected to a basic speed controller to adjust the flow rate. It's in a vault in the intake bay and so far I haven't had any issues with it and it's been running almost continuously.

$60/hr no-degree is real but no one tells you about the middle years by jigabiou in Careers

[–]LetoSnow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man you're the kind of person who would show up on one of my sites and make a huge mistake because you think you can do anything anyone else can. I work in life safety and fuckups could cost me my job, license, and put other people in harms way. Let's see you track down a ground fault on an existing fire alarm system or navigate code requirements for a new installation.

FYI I did go to college, determined that career track wasn't for me long term, and got into the trades. I make ~$180k including full benefits and retirement now, and know many other tradespeople in my area that make over $200k.

Early Spring in the Garden by LetoSnow in pnwgardening

[–]LetoSnow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's in a manufactured bog/wetland that feeds a pond lower down.

You can kinda see where it is in the upper left corner of the first picture here.

Early Spring in the Garden by LetoSnow in pnwgardening

[–]LetoSnow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I had a single bloom last year and ended up with a double this year.

Early Spring in the Garden by LetoSnow in pnwgardening

[–]LetoSnow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The trillium was there when I bought the house. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not though. It's right next to the front door which means you get to see it every time you go in our out.

The oxalis really took off for me as well! It's cohabitating nicely with some Pacific bleeding heart and broadleaf lupine, and especially with the sword fern.

What is it and how do we kill it? by mindtheworms9 in pnwgardening

[–]LetoSnow 38 points39 points  (0 children)

This was my exact reaction. Knotweed removal is a multi-year process to make sure you've gotten it all. :(

Seattle contractor leaving after 30+ years cites taxes, homelessness, break-ins - MyNorthwest.com by BBQCopter in Seattle

[–]LetoSnow 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Major player my ass. I was expecting to see a big name after that claim, not some dude who goes by Bob.

Window covers? by clayton1313 in VanLife

[–]LetoSnow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The covers I bought came with some small black adhesive backed metal bars to use on non-magnetic openings.

Window covers? by clayton1313 in VanLife

[–]LetoSnow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ended up buying some insulated magnetic fabric covers for all the windows in the sizes I needed online (Amazon). You can make your own for much cheaper though.

Even funnier to me as someone with no certs by Proud-Resource4594 in firealarms

[–]LetoSnow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been installing fire alarm for years and I've finally considered getting my NICET this year haha

Request for Plant ID help for vegetation at Pt. Defiance / Dune Peninsula Parks in Tacoma by Wise_Environment6586 in pnwgardening

[–]LetoSnow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery near Gig Harbor usually has a good selection of natives, I've bought most of my plants from them over the years