Rain Delay

Hightunnel work interrupted by rain. What a shame! (yes I'm kidding, I'd take about 10 more days/nighs just like it)

Hightunnel End Wall Frame

The work on the hightunnel has begun again. We've learned a lot from others in the county who have had theirs up for a couple of years or more. We have noted those things they wish that they had done differently and definitely those things that have caused total catastrophes. This week has been installing wooden posts to support solid side walls. Without exception, everyone who has a hightunnel has said that the sides are the most problematic. We know of one guy who had a failure of the sidewall that caused a total collapse of the entire hightunnel including bending his frame. This is why we've chosen to go with solid frame sidewalls and adding plastic panels similar to metal panels that we are attaching to a wood frame.

The produce is finally really coming in.

Unloading in the heat

Awesome Grass Hay

Only got 70 bales but the quality is awesome. So green it looks artificial.

What happens when your tractor cab is too quiet? Anything, and you'll never hear it. I had a shaft pop off of my hay mower but I never hear it crashing around inside of the mower the other night. When I went to stop at around 9PM I looked the mower over and discovered that the shaft was missing and the hydraulic pump that drives the main conditioning rollers was leaking fluid. The parts should be here today to make the needed repairs, and needless to say it was an expensive cost to have such a nice quiet cab.

Orchard Grass, Alfalfa, Clover Hay

To day is the day we take our first cutting of our orchard grass, alfalfa, clover hay. It is plenty thick, but since I don't know how it will react to being cut I'm planning on cutting it kind of high. The honey bees won't know what to do without all of the clover flowers, but it should make some pretty hay. And this week looks great for it until Friday, if the weather man is to be believed...