legs to stand on

Seedling growth has started in earnest in the greenhouse. So much so that we are running out of room fast!

Last fall, Nat Scrimshaw brought over some greenhouse tables that he was no longer using. 

Last week, Mark got scrappy and built some legs for the new tables. 

On Tuesday, Jared and I put all of the pieces together to build a second level for the seedlings. 

Now, cool- and shade-loving crops like spinach, lettuce, and onions can live under hot- and sun-loving crops like cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. We will have to keep a good eye on watering and growth in those lower trays... but hopefully we've just increased space by 50%!

Germinator II

From plumber to electrician... I spent some time between seeding and weeding the past couple of days to work on the second germinator. Admittedly, I wish I had this a week ago, but it's full tonight - with peppers for the farm!

"professional development"

This post could also be called "I love farming!"

Those are two quotes I was given today after a few hours of plumbing. Yep - plumbing... pipes, water, a ball valve and a blow torch! There were some other tools involved in the process (a plumber's wrench, a rubber mallet, a NOT rubber hammer... ) you get the jist!

After too many days spent lugging hose from the school, fighting for water pressure and taking HOURS to water the high tunnel, I took the morning to get the water going on the farm side of the road. Despite careful steps taken to drain the system in the fall to prevent freezing, when I set it all up last Friday to "go", water "went" all over. Ashley stopped by today and we diagnosed the problem as a blown ball valve.

A trip to the hardware store and $40 later, we were ready to play Mario + Luigi (Ashley was even wearing overalls!)

After much pulling, pushing, twisting, teflon taping, unscrewing, hammering and some cursing... we still couldn't get it quite right. Ashley got some anger out wailing on an elbow fitting (for the fourth re-set) and it cracked. Luckily, I had picked up an extra at the hardware store (you never know!). Unluckily, Ashley had to leave for a meeting and I was left to my own. I ran out to NAPA for some 'professional' help - from a guy who owns an auto part store?! Yes - he has lots of tools/toys. I came back home with  a blow torch for subtle plastic piping manipulation. 

Farming is many things. Plumbing is definitely one of them. 

I love what I do. 

Plus, when I watered the high tunnel this afternoon it took 1/3 of the time. Hooray!

 

Let us seed

Tiny lettuce seeds went into flats and flats of soil today. 

14 flats with 78 cells... 1,092 lettuce seeds. And more tomorrow? It's time!

No Foolin

I cannot believe it is April 1st. Or can I?! The winter was a bit of a funky one... not enough snow for many people's liking. Warmer than a New England winter should ever be. And now spring is truly upon us. Pat + I spent the day outdoors. We went for a couple of wooded walks around town then came back to work in the greenhouse for a bit. 

I watered newly transplanted and emerging green leafy goodies while Pat finished the brick path on the south side of the high tunnel. Not bad for an April Fools Day afternoon.