Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Cautiously optimistic

This is my second favorite time of year, my all-time favorite being May, mainly because the mosquitoes haven't really taken over yet.  They sure have now though!

CHICKENS
I've got all of the stuff I need for the chickens, and all that's left is...the chicks.  I order them tomorrow, which means I MUST have the heater and the greenhouse ready to receive chickens by the next day.  If I don't think I can get it done in time, I can delay ordering the chicks for about 5 days.  I will have to get some unmedicated chick starter, but that should be easy to get.

GARDEN
A couple of days ago, we had one of the most intense rain/hail storms I've ever seen.  I think it rained about 2-3 inches in a couple of hours, and everything just got waterlogged.  The water soaked into the greenhouse, which I guess means I don't need to water for a few days, hehe.  Despite the heavy rain, the plants should recover.  Hopefully there won't be any more hail though, the plants will need all the help they can get in my climate!

GREENHOUSE
The greenhouse isn't properly sealed, and it doesn't have a door.  Yet, every plant inside is growing faster, and I have corn, yes corn germinating!  I bought some fast germinating sweet corn, and it just popped up right away.  The cucumbers are growing quickly, and the tomatoes have ended transplant shock, and are growing. The strawberries that are inside are enormous, and are spreading with runners
Long story made short = I need more greenhouses!  If I were to use plastic only on the south side, and plywood for the back, I could build quite a few more of them, or some larger ones.  I could also double insulate the sun-facing side, and maybe get a longer season too.  There's no question, it's a solid plan, and not expensive either.  I have the plastic already.

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