Winter, 2009

From Fall Weather to a Foot of Snow!

December, 2008... Fascinating how things can turn overnight. Coming from the East Coast, it was a wonderful sight to see the snow fall... and fall and fall and fall! The next morning, icicles were formed, trees were weighed down, and no one was going anywhere! The ducks did well, we kept them as safe and dry as possible during the day, and lined the barn with extra straw. SInce then, we've had days that have hit 70º, then it all freezes overnight. So we are holding steady in dormant season until March or so...

January, 2009... The Greenhouse Begins!

Plans for our Lean-to Greenhouse are underway. This will be in the front of the house, and we have dug the base out and are beginning the build. Shade will be dealt with in the hot months of Summer; but we have chosen Polycarbonate panes to take advantage of the light but also keep things from burning for that reason.

I have been observing our strange climate for 5 years now... And though we can reach up to 110ºs now, our overall yearly weather is quite wonderful. 6 months at least of great weather, with days in the 70 - 80º, 3 months of downright HOT and three months of cool and freezing weather... Keeping this in mind makes me realize we have multiple growing seasons, and the earlier I plant (or later for that matter) I can actually have crops within 60 days. The hottest months can actually be the hardest to grow food; tomatoes flower but cannot fruit well when it is over 90º. We begin the planting of trees all over the yard, and slowly change our microclimate to a more shade-happy area for the Summer months. This plan will take years, but the sooner we start, the sooner we will change our little world...