Slow Grind Cooking

🌱 SGHG Garden Progress Report – Phase 1 Continues! 💧🔨

Today was one of those days that reminded me that every successful project is built one connection at a time.

I made significant progress on the Phase 1 Municipal Water Backbone System, installing additional Schedule 40 PVC, connecting more irrigation lines, testing the system, and preparing the garden for the next phase of expansion.

Along the way, I learned two valuable lessons:

💡 Lesson #1: You can’t use a splitter on a smart irrigation timer. Doing so dramatically reduces water pressure and affects the performance of the entire system. Each timer really needs its own dedicated water supply.

💡 Lesson #2: No matter how well you plan a PVC project, you will always need one more fitting! Elbows, couplings, adapters, reducers—you can never have enough pieces when building an irrigation system.

One of the things I’m most excited about is that every PVC connection installed today is preparing the foundation for Phase 2—the rainwater harvesting system. Soon, the gutters, rain barrel, check valve, and pump will tie directly into the irrigation backbone, creating a more sustainable watering system for the garden.

A special thank you to Kent in the HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Department at The Home Depot in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Kent has been incredibly helpful throughout this project, helping me think through the plumbing and irrigation design. His practical advice has saved me countless hours, and when I eventually write the SGHG Garden book, he’ll definitely deserve a place in the acknowledgments.

This garden continues to teach me patience, problem-solving, and stewardship. Every challenge is another lesson, and every improvement brings us one step closer to a fully integrated garden that grows food while conserving water.

Growing with purpose. Building for the future.

“Those who work their land will have abundant food.” — Proverbs 12:11

Scripture:

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
— Psalm 34:8