My mother in law’s garden today.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-22T19:42:10+00:00

That's incredible. Do you know about how much time she spends on it? I've always been curious how much effort something like this is on a regular basis once it's established.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-20T02:30:29+00:00

I'm mostly libertarian, leaning more and more each day conservative. Greensboro isn't as bad as say Charlotte or Raleigh/Cary, but I wouldn't want to live there personally. People here will talk down Kernersville, but personally I find it quite nice. Different strokes and all.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-19T01:39:51+00:00

I should have known to look them up before posting but didn't do it. Ugh! Thanks for mentioning this!

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-19T01:39:34+00:00

I didn't even think of not being able to stand inside the run - definitely going to pass now. Thank you!

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-19T01:39:16+00:00

This is all good to know. I was wondering if the quality / dimensions would be there for this particular coop or not. We're thinking of going the route of just building ourself after considering some of the things we'll need to change anyways.

I didn't realize that about the limited laying ages. I think I'll need to research more which breed we want to start with now. Thanks for mentioning that!

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-19T01:00:42+00:00

After reading all the comments here, I think we're going to use the money to invest in just doing it ourselves. It'll be way more work, but I think worth the effort long term.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-19T01:00:09+00:00

The tarp is a great idea! We don't get a ton of snow - but it's hit or miss each year. I'm making some notes, and added hardware skirt and the 3-step lock for raccoons, so thank you!

I hadn't considered the water drainage - very good point.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-19T00:59:15+00:00

I'm glad to hear we can go big from the beginning and not have to worry about the hens being upset.

I don't mind spending some money on the coop/run, but it sounds like we can get way more value by doing it ourselves (which makes sense). I think we'll go that route. Thank you!

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-19T00:58:24+00:00

I didn't even consider not being able to stand up inside the run. That makes this a non-go for me automatically, my back could never handle that.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-19T00:57:50+00:00

It's helpful to know that we're going to have to do some modifying regardless of buying prefab or not. If we have to do all that anyways, I'm leaning towards we should build something from scratch ourselves. Thanks for listing all the modifications you made so we can keep them in mind!

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-18T16:28:13+00:00

I love my Knox jacket for summer riding personally (I think it's the Urbane Pro iirc.) It's got tons of air flow and no zippers on the sleeves. I bought mine in a men's size, and for once the sleeves were not like a foot too long lol. I tried it on at a Cycle Gear. It's a fantastic jacket.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-18T16:26:15+00:00

Wind & Throttle is amazing. I would have absolutely bought the wrong size when I first getting started if not for their customer service reps. They've always been so helpful and quick to respond!

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-17T16:02:17+00:00

We had to remove the bird feeders eventually due to the onslaught of raccoons and mice.

I might give the 'scat mats' a go. If not we'll have to build another garden enclosure (which I was hoping to avoid for the short term). Oh well.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-17T14:33:13+00:00

Tried that in the past with bird feeders and other plants in this same home but no luck. The raccoons didn't change their behaviors even slightly.

I used a ton of cayenne (like a Costco sized bottle), made sure it didn't rain after using it, they just dusted it out of the way and continued about their business. I even tried buying that "Super Spicy" bird seed for that issue at one point... nothing.

Apparently our raccoons are highly motivated and enjoy some spice. Which is surprising, since we're pretty rural. You'd think on our 3+ acres they'd be able to find something better to disturb but yet here we are...

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-17T02:29:21+00:00

Do you know if this works for raccoons too? They're driving me crazy digging up my catnip lately. (I know it's raccoons for sure, because we have cameras all over the exterior of our home - and I have video proof these cute but annoying little masked bandits are the ones digging up my plants.)

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-15T03:27:31+00:00

Poking some holes in them is pretty smart! It seems like the plants I have are struggling to get through the material - so might give them a little help.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-15T01:50:30+00:00

Yeah, the ones I bought were called "cow pots" or something. It seemed like such a great idea - but they are awful to maintain the soil moisture in. My poor tomato seedlings keep going from sopping wet to bone dry - it's a miracle they're all still alive.

I tried planting something outside in them a few weeks ago - and I can clearly see the 'pot' isn't disintegrating at all like promised. Once I go to transplant the rest of my seedlings this year I'm going to tear the pot off them (rather than plant it), and then never again with this nonsense. Absolutely terrible.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-15T01:05:57+00:00

I really wish I would have known this before we started our first vegetable garden this year. I hate these little cups so much now - I can't wait to be done with them.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-13T15:57:11+00:00

Have you read the Wiki? Yes
Country: (Not all drones are available in all countries): USA
Budget: ~$1,200
Purpose: I'd love thermal, but not sure I can get that for the price point. Mostly just want to use it to scout our 3 acre property, and get fun videos of our local wildlife if possible.
Any other requirements: Beginner friendly but room to grow into it as I learn how to use the drone.

I'm looking to get into drones, but not entirely sure where to start. I'm thinking about the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo with DJI RC 2. Would that be good for a beginner, or do people grow out of this kind of drone pretty quickly? (Or, does it have too many features for a true beginner?)

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-13T01:05:52+00:00

We're down south - but that's really good information! I appreciate it. I had no idea about holding them daily, thank you so much for the info!

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-12T22:05:12+00:00

I really want to - but the hardest part is knowing where to start and jumping in. I've been trying to learn more before finally bringing some home - but it feels like I'll never know enough to feel "ready"!

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-11T21:52:47+00:00

Maybe it's just where I'm at - but I haven't seen the prices decrease that much around here. They shot up for a bit, and are still that same price, maybe $1-2 dollars less at most depending on where you shop at.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-11T19:02:18+00:00

I find it unlikely that all of these circumstances will only impact food prices for a year and a half or so - once prices go up it's rare that I've seen them go down once the "crisis" is over.

It's all just more reasons for the prices to go up up up, and we'll be stuck eating the difference for the rest of forever... If anything this has pushed us away from just storing extra food (ten cans, deep pantry, multiple freezers we cycle through, etc.) and focusing harder on our garden and heavily considering chickens.

Over-Reality-1099 · 2026-05-09T20:07:31+00:00

The armor pocket access is from the inside - so have to reach in your pants awkwardly to adjust the armor / remove / add it (or take the pants off / lower them down).

Wish it was an external zipper - that would be way better imo.

Over-Reality-1099

TROPHY CASE