Wow. It’s been too long since my last post. Things got crazy around the farm here. Sorry to any regular readers out there; I’ll try to be more regular about posting in future. Though I should mention that part of the problem is a low response rate so far when I make requests for submissions on specific ideas. Last post I made a call-out for photos of the best part of your produce wash-stations…and got very little response. A big reason for that is the piss-poor job I’ve done of promoting the site far and wide. And I realize it’s a pain in the arse to have to go and take photos of stuff around the farm or garden. But the end result could be so great…so if you’ve been considering submitting a photo or two, please consider harder. I’m going to put off posting about wash-stations until I’ve got a decent number of ideas. As it happens, I’ve got a few one-off ideas to share for the next three posts or so. Here’s one of ‘em:
Last year I was picking grapes for a local winery and it was making my back scream. I’m tall, and grapes tend to hang down sort of low, and if you’re tall and want to pick them fast for the big bucks your back tends to scream. Long story short: I attached an exercise ball to my pants and all was well with the world. For two hours, until the ball was pierced by a rock. I showed up the next day with a new ball wrapped in duct tape. Same thing happened. By this time I was the laughing stock of the crew for being the new guy with the giant blue ball dangling from his butt. Other than the piercing problem, though, it worked so well…
So I made this new model for my gardening:
Regular exercise ball, 65 cm diameter (too small for me, actually. 75cm would be better. I'm 6'3). I sheathed this version in some tough fabric I bought at a fabric store. I'm not the greatest seamstress so I glued it. Then I wrapped it in paracord, looping it through a carabiner held right over the valve of the ball. Finally, I ran some paracord off the first carabiner to a second one that I can attach to my rearmost belt loop.
This ball is great for certain repetitive tasks on the farm. It will be great for some kinds of weeding and harvesting--I think I'll definitely use it for harvesting peas, beans, and tomatoes. The great thing is that every time I hop sideways, say, like down a bed of peas, the ball more or less settles under my bum as I sit down. This version needs a bit of help from my hands each time I sit, though the earlier, larger balls I used tended not to need any help.
The above video is a simulation of a task that the ball can be useful for–transplanting. In that the lettuces were already transplanted by the time it occurred to me to get the camera out. Anyway. You get the idea.
And so my quest to look as ridiculous as possible while farming continues…
By the way, why don’t you leave a comment to prove I’m not just writing to myself? I know you readers are out there–Google Analytics tells me so. There’s a comment box just below…why not share your thoughts on why my Blue Ball Back Saver is such a terrible idea? See you all next time…
33 comments
Wow! Leaving a comment is so easy and rather fulfilling! Hey, ugly guy making these posts…when God was handing out noses, did you think he said roses and ask for a big red one?
The Butt Ball is a great idea! I’m going to try it. Thinking an old large innertube would make good cover for it.
thanks,
Not being a grower myself, I can only look on admiringly…and ponder other applications for the Butt Ball. Tying shoelaces for a row of preschoolers perhaps?
Hilarious. I will try to find time to log on more often. Sure could use your tips.
We really love the idea of Jordan tying the shoelaces of a long row of preschoolers! Watched the video over and over again. Better than TV!!!
Does that carabiner in the back keep you from rolling off the ball? Looks tricky.
Follow-up question– Does one need to wear suspenders to counteract the pants-pulling-down effect of the Butt Ball?
The suspenders are ‘essential’ only insomuch as they make a farmer look sharp as they bounce their way through the garden. Raybans are also suitable for this purpose.
awesome! imaginative! looks like a great quad exercise too.
one comment about the washing-station request – it’s way too early here in eastern Ontario for that kind of photo – think end-June before we’re picking much of anything – and a week before that to have the station cleared out of winter storage stuff in order to take a photo…
Good point Kristine. Thanks for making it. Anyone out there got a better, more seasonally appropriate idea for a common farming or gardening task for which I could ask for people’s innovative approaches to?
pea fences
Wow, sounds awesome! Maybe I’ll look into this when my squatting ego gets tired.
I just wanted you to know that while I haven’t contributed any content to your blog, I’m enjoying reading the entries. Keep going… it’s just a busy time of year for most growers to be spending extra time on the computer! I appreciate the idea. All the best, Cat
Hubby starts planting his 1500+ tomato plants Monday, I’ve just sent him the picture of the butt ball. Nice.
I am not a farmer but I love reading about your efforts and other farmers so I can be a better gardener.
This is a brilliant idea!
This is rad Jordan, cherry tomato picking perhaps just got easier!
AWESOME!!! Vanity flew out the window for me when I started wearing bib overalls and floppy hats on a regular basis becaouse they were FUNCTIONAL and COMFORTABLE.
To me this idea is no more ridiculous than how people look watching a box on a wall that portrays other people act out “life”. I just found this blog and will be a loyal reader!
I totally want to make one… but I wonder if it would work for hobbit-sized people? I’m only 5’1″ so I think I’d better use a smaller ball.
Moss, I suspect that you would be fine on the same size ball, as I find mine a bit small for me. Mine is 55cm in diameter, and can be got at Canadian Tire for ten or fifteen dollars.
There’s nothing as majestic as a backlit Okanagan hilltop with a farmer and his butt ball silhouetted on the horizon as the sun sets on a clear spring day.
Totally agree Duncan. At least it helps us remember the real reason we got into farming:
to look at pretty things all day.
Wish I had one when I was a kid. My Dad believed we should not sit on the ground while picking, we should bow to Mother Earth as a thank you for her fruits. With your idea we could say we were having a ball picking beans,no butts about it!
Sir, this is wonderful. I’ve degenerative disc disease and, seriously, was thinking to just give up today for my back just won’t do it. There’s far too much bending around. I tried a stool but carrying the stool displaces carrying my tools and I must fetch it. This doubles the work, really. Well, now. This ball just might save the day. I think I’ll have a ball.
OK… I think I need to do this. It will complete the look of my woven Vietnamese cone hat and the sun tunic I made out of an old bedsheet. And I already have a ball… it’s purple. Excellent. *goes to store to find fabric*
This is THE coolest thing I have ever seen! I am a gardener and have back issues. You should patten this thing! My husband will be helping me make one! Thanks for sharing!
We have 3 balls laying around not getting any use. I’m going to try it out. Looks like they may finally get some use.
LOL blue balls — what a great idea if you are a giant — mind u a smaller ball would be great too for more vertically challenged
Looks like worth a try
i think this is a great idea. i have some back problems, so i’m willing to look ridiculous right along with you!
talking about someones lokks is not good behavior especially if you’re an adult.
Very ingenious! I’ll have to try this one when I,m weeding my gardens. Thanks for the tip. I especially like that it tags along behind you without you having to carry anything extra leaving your hands free for work.
Very ingenious! I especially like that it tags along behind you allowing for your hands to be free in order to do work. I’ll have to try this one while weeding my gardens. I’ m sure it will give my neighbors a conversation piece since I live in the city by a few princesses who wouldn’t think of getting their hands dirty. Thanks for the tip.
That just looks… painful.
55 cm… so… you’re admitting that you have small balls?