Sunday, December 13, 2009

THE GREENHOUSE IS UP!!!!!

Looks kind of like this picture but with a lot more white stuff surrounding it. Someone decided that winter was to begin this week in Maine. The week before it was in the 50-60's and the only attire needed while working outside was a sweatshirt. We had a storm at the beginning of the week and it is snowing as I type. This past Wednesday was the kids first snow day from school, always an exciting moment.

If you want to read a bit about where we bought the greenhouse here is the post form back in April .
Credits to Maine Man who worked from dusk til dawn to finish this project.
First breaking ground...

Lots of cow poo dropped off by the farmer down the road.


Then MM tilled it in.


Doesn't look like a whole lot but MM spent many hours putting this together. Our new neighbor just across the way even commented on his persistence when he is out working on projects in the yard.

Challenging moments. I wouldn't exactly say we work well together. If only pictures could speak!

farm help

farm clown


Temporary side enclosure. MM will do something different come Spring to promote optimal ventilation. We do have a big box fan we bought along with it but we'd rather not use if we don't have too.

We put up 48 feet of the 96 feet we have. It is good to start with. See if it will withstand a Maine winter. We can learn from our mistakes on a smaller scale and if we find we need more we have it.
Now to all you with greenhouse experience...
Is this considered a hoop house where it is not heated or a greenhouse?
Do you have anything growing is yours right now? What do you grow in yours typically?
I have some kale and mesculin greens all sprouted. Should I attempt to put in the ground? If so should I put a row cover on top?
HELP....any advice appreciated here!

11 comments:

small farm girl said...

Oh I have wanted a greenhouse for ever. I envy you. hehehehe

Hickchick said...

Oh--I have so many questions! What thickness plastic did you use? I am very curious how it will stand up to snow and wind-my only hoop house experience was not good in adverse conditions :) But that may just be us! What are you going to grow in there? Keep us posted!

Mandie said...

The greenhouse looks great. I am excited to see what you grow in there. Winter has snuck up on us early too. We had a hard freeze and it snapped my broccoli :(. I should of been more prepared. A greenhouse sure would help that, hmm...

Throwback at Trapper Creek said...

Looks great MM! I have had better luck with my winter gardening endeavors with plants planted early so they are mature going into winter. And just harvesting...but if you have sprouts to plant, I would plant and give them some protection during the coldest weather. Gardening is always a gamble, and if you plant you can see what to expect for next year.

The biggest factor in winter greenhouse/hoophouse growing is the lack of light not heat.

Congratulations!!

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Yay!! Good job MM!

GreyWolf said...

Glad to see you got it all done before the snow hit. And I can't wait to see the further adventures of:

Sarah said...

That looks fantastic! I'm excited to hear what you do with it.

June said...

Squeal!!! Did you hear me all the way from down here? That is a beautiful growing space. I am so so so envious of all that space...and cow poo!

My experience with winter growing has been a four-by-four square box on my back porch. Spinach, arugula, kale, minutina, mache...all did very well last year. I would definitely put out your seedlings. (I think ones started in September are the optimal size for over-wintering, but I'd give anything a whirl. They may take off in March/April.) Just give them a cozy garden fleece. I use the lighter one for inside the hoop house.

I just found Eliot Coleman's newest book, The Winter Harvest Handbook, at our library. I haven't had a lot of time with it...can you say Christmas?...but so far I think his first book is more relevant for my scale. This new one, however, may be more relevant for yours.

SO excited for you!!! SQUEAL!

Country Girl said...

June I have his new book. I take it to bed with me every night. Thanks for the encouragement!!

jenn said...

Wow! Impressive! Can't wait to see what you reap in the spring.

Country Girl said...

HC the thickness of the greenhouse plastic is 6 mil
We too are curious as to how well it will hold up. Grow...not sure tomatoes, garlic, maybe carrots. We will see. It will be experimental.