Greenhouse Show and Tell

The greenhouse is buzzing with activity.  We started our peppers, tomatoes, herbs, annuals, and greens a few months ago, but we're not going to talk about that stuff right now.  Instead, let's take a look at Jessica's Pet Projects.

Washington orange, Meyer lemon, Mexican lime (left to right)

We bought these citrus trees about two and a half years ago at Lowe's Home Improvement for about five bucks each.  They were pencil-sized when we brought them home.  The orange tree is taller than me now!

Meyer lemon

The lemon tree is fruiting right now.  All of last year's fruits dropped before reaching this size, but I remain hopeful.

Blueberry whips

I took about 400 hardwood blueberry cuttings last winter, and they are rooting in propagation boxes right now.  I covered the tips with grafting wax this time around.  I'm hoping that it will prevent them from losing moisture from the top.  I had some sticky fingers that day.

Prizetaker leeks

The leeks are growing quickly, and I'm already dreaming up recipes for them.  Soups, omelets, salads, quiches....

Ben will soon be planting ginger in the greenhouse.  It did extremely well last year, so my expectations are high.

Sharing is Caring

No more planting parties of one.  Some good friends of ours have moved into the greenhouse.  We're sharing the space (of which we have plenty) so that our buddies don't have to purchase hundreds of seedlings for their garden this year (they grow just about every vegetable you can imagine for farmers market).

With the new high tunnel, I have more indoor growing space than I can currently fill, so there's room for everyone!  Even when it looks like the greenhouse is full, it's not.  I can always cram in more shelves and relocate larger plants to the high tunnel.  The citrus trees have already been moved into the high tunnel, and they love it.

All is well in the greenhouse realm, and I'll be giving a full report when I've got a chance...

The First

We've got hops!  This is the second season we've been growing these rhizomes and the first year we've seen any sign of flowers.  The Willamette hops were the first to flower.

They seem to be enjoying life in the greenhouse.  We were considering moving them once we build a nice arbor, but I'm not so sure now.  I'd hate to mess up a good thing.  We'll probably just plant new rhizomes instead of digging these up.

Kitchen Garden and Hen House Happenings

We've made a lot of progress on the Hen House.  I'm finished with my part of the painting.  I just need Ben to paint the very tippy-top of the front side (he's 6' 3").  Our colors are "Pearl" and "Sauteed Mushroom."

Side view, shutters closed

Shutters open

Back side, chicken door closed

Chicken door open

Front view, almost done

 Interior

The chicks got to stretch their legs for a few hours today.

They're in that awkward stage.

We have a lot growing in the kitchen garden, but it's about to EXPLODE next week.  Stayed tuned.

Our garlic is thriving.

 Spinach is doin' it.

Arugula, my favorite.

The beets are happy.

 Every time I think I'm finished thinning the carrots, more pop up.

 I can't wait to taste the first strawberry.

 I finally got the wineberries in the ground.

Amish snap peas have finally grasped the fence.

Wineberry row.  Support system to follow.

Let's see what's headed for the kitchen garden.

 Eggplant

A sea of tomatoes

 The peppers are growing up.

 Pesto?

 Sweet delicate thyme

 All the squashes and melons are saying "hello" to the world.  This is a Waltham Butternut.

 Our last frost date is April 18th.  I have a lot to transplant during the next two weeks.  At the top of my list are artichokes, a gazillion flowers and tomatoes.  I'll also be sowing sunflowers and corn.  Happy planting!

April Greenhouse Tour

The greenhouse is quite possibly the most dynamic place on the farm.  Not only does it nurture hundreds of plants that are constantly growing, dying, or sleeping, but I'm also rearranging it on a near-daily basis.  (See sidebar for a complete list of what's growing on in the greenhouse.)

View from the North side.  Far right: hops.  Center: tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and lots of other stuff.  Far left:artichokes and lettuce.

Ben's mother gave us this old bathtub  last summer.  It has been very useful.  It's currently home to about one-hundred rooting blueberry whips.

 A view from the South side.

One the far right, beside the hops, there are two more beds of rooting blueberry whips.

This stand came with the greenhouse when Ben purchased it.  I love it.

 Another odd artichoke.  Its first set of true leaves just can't bear to separate from one another.

 The most handsome tomatoes I've ever started.

In the foreground we have eggplants (to the left) and peppers and poppies (to the right).  In the middle are my tomatoes, and the orange tree is poking up way in the back.

I mowed the lawn yesterday, and I'm paying for it today.  My allergies are killing me.  My whole head just hurts.  I am a prisoner of my sinuses.  Why do I continue to pay $30 for a bottle of Claritin for minimal results at best?  If I can gather up enough strength and fight through the fog, I hope to continue painting the hen house today.  If not, I'll spend the whole day worried about all the things that aren't getting accomplished.

Gorgeous, But Not What I'm Looking For

Ben started a few artichokes in the greenhouse last summer.  I think they were Imperial Star.  He had a lot on his plate at the time and had to bear the full responsibility of all farm projects until I arrived in June.  Needless to say, he didn't have quite enough time to nurture and coddle these finicky creatures just so.  Although we never got any chokes out of the process, beautiful blooms developed.  I would definitely grow these plants just for their blooms and foliage (and I've started so many that I'll probably plant some in the front yard for that very reason), but I do hope we get some eating out of them this year.

Artichoke bloom, 2010

We've started Imperial Star, Green Globe, and Purple of Romanga this year.  I hope that out of these three, I can find a variety that suites this region.  We have a nice-sized hoop house that we will put over them (and the eggplants) to keep the insects down (that was a major issue last year) and protect them during the winter.  I will also dig some up and store them in the basement over winter to see if that method works any better.  I have a lot of seedlings to work with, so this is a great opportunity for experimentation.  I found this article helpful, although I did not consult it before embarking on this season's artichoke attempt. 

Artichoke babies, 2011

It's raining today, tomorrow, and the next day.  I'll be limited to indoor and greenhouse activities.  Bummer.  I'd like to start some melons and winter squash in the greenhouse soon (very controversial, I know), but I don't know if I should wait until this gray weather passes.  I want to start them indoors instead of direct-seeding because I think I can make better use of garden space this way.  Also, I think they'll do just fine if I use the Pot Maker.  With the Pot Maker, I can either just put the whole thing in the ground (like a Jiffy Pot), or gently peel away the newspaper without disturbing the roots.  Cabin fever will probably push me to go ahead with it.  I can always plant more if they don't do so well.

By the way, EVERYTHING survived the snow!  I knew there was no reason for a full-on freak-out.

Greenhouse Haiku

When it is snowing

I can always count on you

To be warm inside

I wasn't going to write today.  I had it in my mind that if I dodn't upload it, then it never happened.  I had awakened to the first (and I hope the only) spring snow.  But I changed my mind after a trip with Miles up to the greenhouse.  That place is always full of inspiration, and it just makes me feel good.  Here are some of the highlights:

My big, strong heirloom tomatoes

The artichokes have come out of their cold treatment and are happy to be back in the greenhouse.

I love this Ruby Moon hyacinth bean.

The eggplants are alive and well.

Hops

This nasturtium popped up over the weekend.

The parsley will be ready to set out soon.

I'm a firm believer that you can never grow too much basil.  I've got about fifty seedlings going.

Baby thyme

The poppies are doing a lot better than I had expected.

Get a load of these blueberries!

 

So while things are all hunky-dory in the greenhouse, let's take a look outside.

As I write this, the snow has stopped falling and it's already beginning to melt.  Yes!  It isn't too awfully cold out, and I'm not really worried about the greens and root vegetables in the kitchen garden.  Things are often more resilient than we think.  If they to subcome to the harsh weather, I'll just have to sow some more.  I love sowing seeds, I'll shed no tears.  The asparagus and blueberries are going to be alright.  This snow is just a minor annoyance.

Back inside, the girls are doing well.  It's so hard to get a good picture of them.  They're always fluttering about when I enter their room, and the red heat lamp doesn't help.  In addition to "Judith," "Iris," and "Eunice," we now have a "Big Beulah," and "Large Marge."  Big Beulah and Large Marge are the big bosses.  They're also loudmouths.  I admire their spunk and attitude.