Juicy Words

A Fast Growing Trees suitable for Plumstead Township

Our farm, Highland Hill Farm, is located in solid clay in
Pennsylvania near Plumstead Township close to Doylestown. We
therefore like plants that grow well in clay. An arborvita, the
Green Giant is our favorite. Here is why. The hardiness zone for
the Green Giant Arborvita is from zones 5 to 8. Its evergreen
with rapid growth rates that in ideal conditions can be up to 3
feet per year. Site requirements for the green giant is sun to
partial shade, moist well drained soil but does well in clay,
and needs protection from wind . Its texture is fine with its
form conical being narrow to broadly pyramidal, reaching from 50
to 80′ in height to 15 to 20 feet in width. The leaf is rich
green graceful foliage. It keeps its foliage color in the
winter. The Green Giants flowers/fruit are .5″ erect female
cones. The Green Giant has strong wood, casts dense shade, and
has cinnamon red bark when young. This arborvita does not
tolerate salt spray. This arborvita should outlive even your
children.

How to Clean your Air Conditioner like a Pro

February 2, 2005

Jack Frost is nipping at our nose and Santa Claus has just left. The eastern seaboard has just received their third blizzard for a total of over 125 cm (56 inches) of snow in one week. So, who in their right mind would be thinking about window air conditioners at this time of year?

Call me crazy, but I am.

It is a good time of year to start this project. Firstly, it keeps ones mind sharp for the coming spring. Plus, it allows you to try out those new tools you got for Christmas. Mainly though, it is a good winter project because by the time spring arrives you will be too busy to think about this job.

Very little is required to clean a window air conditioner, except lots of patience. If patience is something you lack then it is a job you should turn over to the local appliance serviceman.

Tools ———————-
Tin can or container (old muffin tin works well also)
Vacuum cleaner
Long handled brush (an old toilet brush works well)
Oil can
Rags
De-greaser or spray detergent
Selection of screwdrivers (Philips, Flat bladed, 1/4″ socket head)
Fin tool (optional)
New filter (if disposable type)

Lets get started ———–

1. Start by removing the filter from the front grille. If it is hidden behind the grille proceed to step 2.
If it is a disposable filter simply replace it with a new one. Other types are made in a plastic frame and can be cleaned and reused. To clean a filter lay it flat in the sink and sprinkle surface with powder laundry detergent. Then cover with about one inch of hot water. Just enough so the filter is submerged. Soak for 15 minutes. Remove from water and rinse with warm water. Hang up to dry while proceeding to next step.

2. Next, remove the front grille from the main body of the air conditioner. They usually pivot on two spring clips at the bottom. It is usually removed by pulling the grille gently forward while pushing it down at the same time. If there is resistance then look for hidden screws. Look near the top edge of the grille or behind the control knob door. Once removed place the grille aside until later.

3. Carefully remove metal cover of air conditioner to expose inner workings. Once all the screws are removed lift the cover straight up. Do not let it hit the other parts as it can have sharp edges. This is where the old can comes in handy (ice cube container or muffin tin works well also). Use it to keep track of all the screws you will be removing. An air conditioner will often use a number of different types and sizes of screws. Segregate them from each other or confusion will result when we start reassembly.

4. Check the fan motor for any oil holes or oil plugs. If the motor has oil plugs they are usually rubber. Use caution when removing because the rubber may have become brittle. Often they will break off in the oil holes resulting in a blockage. If this occurs try to remove the broken plug by using a pin of the tip of a small screwdriver.
Once the fan motor oil holes are exposed add a few drops of oil to each end of the motor body. Use a general purpose (3in1) oil or clean motor oil. A #30 oil is sufficient.
The natural tendency is to over-oil. Too much lubrication is as bad as not enough. Therefore only 3 or 4 drops on both ends of the motor body is sufficient. Add the oil slowly, pausing a few seconds between each drop. If you add it too quickly over-lubrication will result.

5. Use the brush to remove surface dust and dirt from the evaporator (front fins). Use an up and down motion. Do not go side to side or allow the fins to be bent. The fins are very soft aluminum and can be damaged easily.
Once surface dirt is removed, spray with de-greaser or cleaner. There is a good product on the market called HVAC cleaner. As the name implies it is meant for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioner coil cleaning. If this is not available the Fantastic Spray cleaner used in kitchens and bathrooms works quite well.
Let stand about 15 minutes or as per instructions on de-greaser can. This will allow cleaner to loosen any hidden dirt. Remove dirt and excess cleaner by slowly pouring warm water into fins. Do not allow the water to enter any electrical connections or components that may be near the coil. As an added precaution cover the motor with one of the cloth rags. to protect it from the water.
Do not use any form of high pressure air or water because this can drive dirt farther into fins. Also, use extreme caution as these coils are filled with high pressure refrigerant.

6. Straighten any bent fins. Use a fin comb if available. If no fin comb then use something soft such as a Popsicle stick. Straightening the fins will increase the efficiency of the air flow through the coils. This adds to the overall cooling effect produced by the air conditioner.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the condenser (rear fins) coil. A plastic cowling usually surrounds the condenser fins. If so, check the top edge to see if it will lift or open. If it opens this will allow easier access to the condenser fins. Again use caution because the condenser coil is also filled with high pressure refrigerant.

8. Wipe any dirt buildup from both fan blades using a soft rag. Do not bend blades. This would cause a vibration that would harm the motor.

9. Vacuum all surfaces including front and back of grille assembly. Do not forget to vacuum underside of metal air conditioner cover. If the cover contains air holes clean them thoroughly. If necessary use a damp rag.

10. Drain any water left in the base and allow it to dry for few hours.

11. When completely dry plug in air conditioner and test operation. If everything appears okay unplug and begin reassembly.

Reassemble and test ————-

12. Once reassembly is complete, retest operation to ensure replacing the cover has not affected anything. Adding the cover will often twist the frame and can cause interior parts to move out of alignment. This may cause the fan to become noisy. To correct for this problem remove the cover and realign to the main body of the air conditioner. Reinstall the cover and test for noises every time 2 or 3 additional screws are added to the cover. Spinning the front blade by hand will let you know if anything is rubbing against the fan blades.

13. Install the front grille with the new or cleaned filter in place.

14. Lastly, cover air conditioner with plastic wrap or an old blanket. Store in a warm dry area. Raise it from floor slightly by placing onto a couple of pieces of wood. This will protect the floor from the metal edges of the air conditioner, and also protect the air conditioner from moisture.

You’re Finished ————

Repeat this simple procedure every year. If you do, the machine will be ready for many more years of dependable service.

Addendum ——————-

The filter inside the front grille should be removed and cleaned (as in step 1) every month throughout the cooling season. If you are a smoker it should be cleaned every week.

About the Author

Copyright 2005 by Donald Grummett. All right reserved.
Donald Grummett is an appliance service manager in Ottawa, Canada. In the trade over 30 years as both a technician, business owner, and technical trainer. For more information about appliances including FAQ, Stain guide, Recycling, and Newsletter visit http://www.mgservices.ca

Growing Rare Fruits for Fun or Profit

Gardeners, small farmers and boutique backyard nurseries can attract customers with unusual tree, vine and bush fruit crops that offer customers a taste of the exotic, of history, or of their native bioregion that they can find nowhere else. The rare product can be their main crop, or a sideline.

A secret to attracting customers with unfamiliar crops (or with familiar exotics, such as olives, grown and processed in unfamiliar ways) seems to be letting the taste do the selling, and then generating repeat customers from that foundation. Letting customers in on the farm’s high quality growing and processing techniques is also a selling tool.

For example, a small organic olive farmer in California said he got his best results by getting the potential customer to taste the product. He explained that the quality is then so apparent that the higher price is usually a non-issue. This farmer also explained that they teach clients about how much differently they operate than mass produced growers creating cheap food. They explain their organic farming, rare heritage varieties, dry farming, hand picking, and manufacturing in small batches. This farmer and his family organically grow unusual olives such as Ascolano, Nicoise, Mission, Cornezuelo, Manzanillo, Sevillano, Barouni, Columella, Frantoio, Cornicabra, Rubra, French Picholine, and Saracena, and sell them as value-added products, including organic olive oil soap, and flavored organic extra virgin olive oils with names like Magical Mandarin, Rosemary Garlic, Meyer Lemon and Italian Stallion. Olives are cold pressed within hours of hand picking with a granite stone press. Very unusual. Plus, organically grown herbs, fruits and seasonings are added to produce the flavors. They sell mainly via their online catalogue and farmers’ market.

Other rare or unusually-produced fruit farmers allow u-picks or farm tours to allow potential customers to see the unusual fruits and experience them on a deeper level. And while “Mayhaws,” “Paw-paws,” and “Sea Buckthorn” are unusual fruits that are attracting customers, once again, so are the more ordinary fruits when processed in new ways. On my own Pacific Northwest island where apricots are not grown often, a family has developed a home business of making and selling regionally grown apricot syrup. They sell from their home, and to several local gift shops.

When selling unusual fruits at roadside stands or farmers’ markets, a description of its history and land of origin can draw much attention and interest. Community supported agriculture (CSA) farms offer surprise samples in their regular shares, describing the fruit in their newsletter. This serves as a novelty and makes the CSA farm feel special to the customers. If the fruit becomes very popular, it may eventually become a staple for which the CSA is known. Nurseries offer the fruit trees or shrubs as is, or will create grafted ‘fruit cocktail trees’ with several varieties of fruit on one tree. They also offer dwarf tropical or subtropical patio and indoor fruit trees. Farms that create value-added products from their crops create jams, jellies, syrups, fruit flavored baked and dairy goods, wines, and gift samplers with their exotic and unusual fruits. Growing an exotic fruit exclusively for a local independent restaurant or juice bar can establish an ongoing, guaranteed cash-paying customer, giving the food establishment a locally grown specialty.

(c) 2006 Barbara Adams

Barbara Adams
Author: Micro Eco-Farming: Prospering from Backyard to Small Acreage in Partnership with the Earth (New World Publishing)
http://www.MicroEcoFarming.com