High Tunnel's Warm

Trellis

We finished setting up the trellis and wires to support the berry plants inside of the high tunnel. We used old steel fence posts and welded on some square stock that was left from some other projects.  We're hoping that the plants don't put too great a load on the wires because the steel posts are spring steel and can actually flex under load.  We'll see as the season goes along.

Trellis work completed

We finished planting the high tunnel, laying the water lines and getting most everything finished.  We decided on raspberries. It was a snap to plant, and with a little extra help we had everything done in no time.

High Tunnel 2013 Prep

It's still a little cold outside, but in the high tunnel yesterday the temp was set to a nice 70F. The automatic sides were working to keep the temp fairly even and I can see how it would be nearly impossible to keep a steady temp without the automation to open and close the sides every time a cloud bank passes over and as the outside temp goes up with the sun light changes.  We've nearly completed the preparation of the high tunnel for planing.  We ran the water lines from the well and set the oval lines so that when the plants are set we just have to punch the drip tape lines into the oval line as we go to wet the plants in. We also tilled under most of the rye grass that was growing in the high tunnel so that we could layout our beds and we also spent some labor hours using a hand cultivator to pull rocks. We still have a little more to go on the rock removal but with the temp set to around 70F it is nice to be able to work without heavy clothing.  Today Tom will modify the CAD drawing of our bed layouts and we'll finalize laying out the beds with string.  After that we simply wait for the plants.  It's been really great working with my two younger boys.  George and Sara have been in Brazil this past week on a missions trip, which has given me the opportunity to really work with the younger boys a lot more.

Seed Catalogs

If you buy seeds from seed catalogs, December is generally the time that they start arriving in your mailbox.  With the winter solstice behind us we can start to think about spring and start planning our vegetables - what goes where, and how much we think we'll need. Looking into the catalogs is a great way to make your mind feel the warmth of summer, at least until you look away from the catalogs.  Not that we mind the winter months either. It's been cold but we only have about 6 inches of snow on the ground, so chores are not a burden and it feels like winter should be. But for a real taste of spring in the winter I have been going into the high tunnel on sunny days.  I can't help but going out and marveling at the temperature. When the sun is shining the temperature stays in the upper 50's, and seeing the green carpet of rye along with the warmth and humidity, it's just amazing. We love showing it off, so if you feel like taking a step into spring in the deepest part of the winter, take a sunny day and stop out for a visit.

The Flavor of Local

We are really into the concept of eating what is grown close to home. For us the closer the better.  Local chicken, beef, vegetables and fruit are such a treat for us that some nights when we are sitting down to dinner, we can't help but give thanks for how blessed we are to have our meal come from our farm and local growers. I think that's why we're also such fans of eating wild game. When we take ducks, geese, pheasant, doves, deer, rabbit and squirrel, we think that it's such a blessing to be able to eat something that carries the flavor of its local habitat so strongly. If you live down South and take a deer that lives in the woods, they call it an acorn-deer, not just because of what it eats, but also because of the distinctive flavor of the deer from what it eats. Here we have the luxury of animals that are flavored by alfalfa hay, corn, soybeans and some small grains.  What a blessing it is. I hope that you get to enjoy some too.

High Tunnel Officially Open

Auto-roll-up side controller. Shows temp of 82.2F

Rye looks good.

The high tunnel is officially up and running.  Okay, its been up and running for a little while, but the rye that was planted inside has finally made it up high enough that pictures can show that the high tunnel is doing its job of keeping things warm enough to grow plants.  Today it was 82F and 93% humidity in the high tunnel when I went out this morning.  For sure, the night time temps are only about 10 degrees inside the high tunnel above the outside temps, so this is no green house, but with the daytime temps going into the 80's our lettuces, radish and peas have already sprouted.