Xerocles head in the clouds and feet firmly in the mud.

[baymule]

What about raising the tub off the ground enough to accommodate a shut off valve, skip pulling the plug. Make cinder block steps to the bathtub for your duckies. When that chain comes off the plug, and you know it will, I don't think you'll like being armpit deep in green, smelly, duck poo water, trying to find the plug......jus' sayin'

 

[Xerocles]

What about raising the tub off the ground enough to accommodate a shut off valve, skip pulling the plug. Make cinder block steps to the bathtub for your duckies. When that chain comes off the plug, and you know it will, I don't think you'll like being armpit deep in green, smelly, duck poo water, trying to find the plug......jus' sayin'

Decisions, decisions. Bend over and reach under every time (I don't bend so well anymore) or take a chance that the chain will come loose. Hmmm. Think I'll just use a split ring to hold the chain on and take my chances. BESIDES, what are you saying about my ducks? They're gonna be nice CLEAN ducks...who will go behind the bushes to poop. I'm not gonna have wild, uncivilized TEXAS ducks! LOL

 

[Xerocles]

@thistlebloom . pretty sure it was you who said this. Read (somewhere on here) that it is important to have sacrificial plants next to the water because the ducks like to nibble when they play. You? More info please? Like...right next to? Best plants? Marsh plants potted IN the water? Plants NOT to use?
Entry and egress. Ramp? Steps?

 

[thistlebloom]

@thistlebloom . pretty sure it was you who said this. Read (somewhere on here) that it is important to have sacrificial plants next to the water because the ducks like to nibble when they play. You? More info please? Like...right next to? Best plants? Marsh plants potted IN the water? Plants NOT to use?
Entry and egress. Ramp? Steps?

Nope, not me. Sorry. I haven't had ducks since I was a teenager.

 

[Xerocles]

I was really concerned about my pear tree. It started blooming about a week ago. Thought the cold was going to wipe out hopes of fruit this year. Two nights of the 20s this week....doesnt seem to have hurt it. Another night in the 20s coming this week. More optimistic now, but we'll see. Pic taken this morning (low last night in the 50s).

 

[Xerocles]

I started moving the old bathtub for the ducks today. It had been sitting for so many years it had settled a few inches into the ground. And vines and roots had begun to claim it. So I had to dig it out. It was about 300 ft from the garden. And weighs about 350lbs. I know how the Egyptians felt, moving the stones for the pyramids. I used pvc pipes to roll it. Not a bad idea except waterlogged ground and my sloped terrain added to the fun. After pushing it about 50 ft, I decided there MUST be a better way. No tractor. But I do have a farm truck. Hooked a 3/4" rope through the drain holes and to the bumper. But. The saturated ground wouldn't let the truck pull up the hill, even without the tub attached.
Plan 3. Took a running start with the truck, and got to the flat spot. Grabbed the come-a-long and started ratcheting. 6 inches at a time. Got the tub about half way to the garden and ran out of daylight. Supposed to rain for the next 3 days. Figures.
I sure hope those ducks appreciate this.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Come-a-longs work but they are slow, all that hooking and unhooking. The stretch in the rope doesn't help either. I imagine a long rope where most of the ratcheting is taking the slack out after each re-hook before it starts to move.

 

[thistlebloom]

The Egyptians used slaves... just sayin'.

All that work means you're committed to the duck plan now. Unless you ditch that and decide you need an outdoor bathing spot to get all the garden dirt off. You could soak and survey all your accomplishments, lol.

 

[Xerocles]

The tub is moved. Well, 99.9%. Done in the rain.

The Egyptians used slaves... just sayin'.

All that work means you're committed to the duck plan now. Unless you ditch that and decide you need an outdoor bathing spot to get all the garden dirt off. You could soak and survey all your accomplishments, lol.

Slaves? You mean they worked, without pay, even when they were too tired. For someone else (in this case the ducks)? Yep, that kinda describes it.

HEY!! I LIKE your idea! Screw the ducks. I'm gonna build it up with blocks high enough to build a fire under it. Make a redneck hottub. Lie back and watch the maters grow!
Anyhow, the tub is moved (in the rain). All I got to do is attach the drain and tube and flip it right side up.
Now to build their house (simple and easy) and fence it in.
Then ready to garden!
I've been sweating the weather. Wanting to get things in the ground as soon as possible. Then I had an epiphany. Nope. I don't care if I don't get the first tomato before my neighbors. I just want to finally have a successful garden. So I'm going to take my time. Do everything right. Wait out the weather. Let the ground warm up. We've got a long growing season here. I just have to keep reminding myself. I'm not in a hurry. I'm not in a hurry.

 

[thistlebloom]

Did you do that in the rain by chance....?