The Second Amendment

New High-Tunnel

Feb 22 Update
Well we got the tunnel set up Sunday afternoon and Sunday night we had a pretty good storm blow through. the tunnel didn't stand up too well.

I guess next year I'll use something stronger in the way of support poles, maybe PVC,





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Well, we finally got the plastic draped over the scavenged tent poles and have a high-tunnel that's about 6 ' high. I used 6m plastic, thanks to recommendations here. I d'ruther it was about 3' wider and about 4' longer, but it's doable for this year. Assuming, of course, that it stands up to the rain and wind. We might get some rain tonight, so we can see how it does there. Don't know when we'll get wind.

I think next year I'll try to frame it with PVC. For those who have done it, do you secure the plastic to the frame somehow? If so, how? I have it anchored with rocks at the moment.

Trappist Monastery Fudge

Last weekend Mother and Dottie (my mother-in-law and sister-in-law) went to a Trappist monastery for a personal retreat. They are Catholic; Mother is a Sister of the Franciscan Order.

[Aside: Mother is a Sister. Therefore, Mother Mary is Sister Mary. ???? ]

Dears that they are, they brought me home some "Gethsemani Trappist Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Fudge! 8-) That stuff never lasts around my house.

Apparently they get the bourbon donated from a local distillery. I guess it doesn't really

Seed train is a'comin'
there's dancin' today!

The seed train arrived today and I'm all excited. Besides the beginning of planting for the spring garden I have some new seeds to play with. I don't have a lot of unallocated garden space, so all I grabbed from gthe train is a packet of cinnamon basil and some cumin. I guess that's another little bit of the flower garden that's going to be herbs. I still need to prune what's there and clean up from fall, but I'm ready to dig.

I also have my tunnel framed and need to get the plastic cover over it before the snow arrives tomorrow. Hoping I can get some help from the nephews tomorrow.

I also was led to the Knoxville Permaculture Guild by my sister in Bellingham, WA, this week. And, of all things, they have a seed exchange today, so that's where I'll be this afternoon. Maybe I'll get to meet some more local gardeners.

I got the application for the farmers market this week. One of the things it asks for is two references from people who "know my operation." Nobody here in Knoxville knows who I am in the field except Michelle, my contact for the seed trains. Maybe I'll meet someone today who can fill that other slot. (I hope.)

I told Kayla this mornbing that I have about three full days worth of work to do by this morning. I guess I'll be busy for the rest of the summer.

Update: I met some interesting people today. I was impressed that so many of the people at the seed exchange were young, mostly college kids was my impression. I didn't pick up any new seeds, but I left quite a few. Some people were excited about some of my seeds. Time to get planting, then to get ready for the next exchange, whenever it may be.

Spring is coming

Spring is coming ... soon ... I hope. I'm ready.

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF EAST TENNESSEE UNTIL 4 OCLOCK THURSDAY MORNING. WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT WITH GUSTS POSSIBLY UP TO 55 MPH AT TIMES.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS WITH SNOW EXPECTED TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT. FORECASTERS EXPECT ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 10 INCHES WITH BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

BRR!!!

Building a Tunnel for the Garden

I am in the process of building a tunnel for the gardens. For support I reclaimed some old flexible fibreglas tent poles. I am in the process of tying the ends of each pole together with fishing line. Mother taught me how to tie fishing line yesterday. (I know it's simple, but if you don't know the tricks or the knots ...) I now have one pole tied and it'll be about 8' tall and 13.5' across the base. If I space them about 4' apart, they'll cover two 5x20' beds at a time with room underneath to work the soil ... if it ever dries out and warms up! But it's too cold outside at the moment to do more than one pole at a time. So in between I'll put together some newspaper pots to start seeds next week. (Is it that time already???)

And I still have lots of beds to prepare before planting out.