As important as any tool around here, the battery for the electric fence is absolutely critical: for several years now, it’s powered the first and last line of defense against…deer! As of last season, and the addition of a low-strung … Read the rest
The first round of lettuce, five days from germination, under the lights. I could have started them earlier: two weeks, three, four? It all depends on the weather, when it seems right to transplant, and when you’re hoping for the … Read the rest
Tomato check-in, around a month after germination. On the left, the pair of plain, generic-looking seed leaves that come first—they’re still stuck together at the tip by a tiny bit of the seed shell. On the right, the true tomato … Read the rest
Here’s what the tiny sweet pepper plants would be seeing if they saw like we do, from under the fluorescent tubes in one of the light racks. It has a bit of an alien spacecraft hovering feel. The seedlings would … Read the rest
Yep, the grass is definitely getting greener! It’s the planetary order of things, formerly known as seasons… In the back of my mind, I have this cartoon thought-picture of massive gears slowly turning, an unstoppable, unyielding world machine. That’s what … Read the rest
Yesterday’s special weather advisory about a bunch of rain turning into a bunch of snow left us with this 7 a.m. scene. Wet, mushy ground covered by heavy, wet snow. Neither rain nor snow were particularly intense, just…wet. It won’t … Read the rest
The seedling room is in a fully modern building with all the modern conveniences like electricity, heating, ample insulation and screened windows well-positioned for a bug-free cross-breeze and lots of natural light. The only thing missing is a handy supply … Read the rest