I'm still hoping to move my seed trays from my friend's greenhouse to the 10 x 10 poly house that I've set up in the yard, but I'm having some issues with heating it. The daytime temperatures inside average around 70 which is plenty warm enough for germination, but I am concerned about the lower nightime temperatures which I can't seem to get much above 60 degrees even with the heater turned on full blast. Currently the outside nightime temperatures have been in the upper forties, but it is forecast to get close to freezing in the next couple of days and I'm not sure if I can achieve even 60 degrees on those days. Seedlings are resilient and can adapt to gentle swings in the temperatures from day to night, but they don't like wild fluctuations of more than 10 degrees or so. I may have an opportunity to borrow a friends propane heater which, together with the electric heater, will help boost the temperature a few more degrees. And, a small oscillating fan may help to better circulate the warm air. I want to make sure I have a good handle on the poly house temperature before I move all my seedlings back home.
In the meantime, I've set up four saw horses and lattice tables to put my seed trays on. I seeded more beets and some nasturtiums which I brought over to the greenhouse. Later, I seeded kale, bok choy, and more lettuce. My friends have been very generous about letting me use space in their greenhouse. I'm taking it over and there isn't much room left for their plants!
I went to home depot and bought three more rosemary plants for my herb bed. Rosemary is nearly impossible to grow from seed and I haven't had much luck taking cuttings either, so I buy new plants every year. These new plants have probably been growing in that hateful miracle grow potting mix, but I'll get them clean and chemical free once planted in my garden. I also bought a roll of poultry fencing. No, I am not raising chickens here although I would love to. Brightwaters has an ordinance against it. Hmmm, I'll have to see about changing that law. For now I will run the fencing along the base of the split rail fence to keep out the geese and rabbits. I have had one frequent visitor to the garden. My neighbor's Siamese cat has been using the cold frame as a secret fort and she startles me daily by peering at me with her intense blue eyes through the ethereal row cover. Once I put the seed trays in there, kitty cat is going to have to find a new hide out.
Costs:
Heater 35.00
Saw Horses and plastic insulation 60.00
Rosemary plants 12.00
Poultry fencing 16.00
I'm wondering how much it will cost by the end of the summer. Are you letting people join Jen's garden?
ReplyDeleteI am definitely better at spending money than making it, that is for sure! And at this point it does seem like I keep spending and spending, but a lot of these expenses are one time start up costs that I won't have next year. For example I won't have to pay for the fencing or labor involved in hauling all the sod away. There is a great group of people working here with me. They are some of my gardening buddies from the past few years. They will be able to buy herbs, flowers, and veggies on a first come first serve basis. I'm still not quite sure how much we'll be able to produce, but I am optimistic that there will be more than enough for everyone. It is amazing how much you can grow in a small space if it is planned correctly. How about you Ally? Ready to start digging up your yard??
ReplyDeleteHow did the garden hold up in the recent monsoon? We got three days of wind and pooring rain...Hopefully the backyard isn't completely under water!
ReplyDeleteYou guessed it- underwater again! And, the water was up to my ankles inside the poly house! Somehow, the seedlings all look fine and the forecast for the next week looks sunny and warm, thank goodness.
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