May Day 2011

We still have snow on the ground and snow was flying in the air May 1st. However, the rhubarb and chives are pushing their heads up through the frozen ground. Looking around the garden the snow shoe hares wrecked havoc on our currants, goose berries, and mock orange. The only surviving limbs and buds are those low to the ground that were protected by the snow cover. No pruning this year. I pulled the mulch of the garlic, so the sun will start heating the soil.
It was below freezing last night, hopefully the bulbs will be okay.

The seeds in the cold frame and solar pod have sprouted. In the greenhouse, all the greens are growing in the 80 degree temperatures and it is time to grow some more starts.

I finally replaced the old visqueen on the hoop house with some 6 mil UV protection greenhouse film. The film cost $200 for a 24" x 50' roll. This film is definitely a marked improvement over the old stuff, it feels more supple and stretches, and has a smooth finish. I am going to try attaching it differently to the hip board. This time I am going to have the hip board on the outside, with lathe holding down with fill with screws. I got this idea from the high tunnel.org site.

I put a center pole instead of the shoulder board. The last change made is adding diagonal supports using stainless steel wire. I used the diagonal wire supports two years ago for shear support, but did not use it last year. I don't think I needed it, plus the steel wire rusts and discolors the hoop house film. Because I am adding another four feet to the hoop house, I figure it will not hurt to have the stainless wire. Upon completion the hoop house feels very stable. Now the heat is warming the soil.