The Light at the End of the Tunnel(S)

They're done!!!!!!!!!!  Lots of sweat and sore shoulders & wrists but the two high tunnels are finished! Only one gets the plastic before winter as I wanna see how they manage the snow before going all in but the fully covered one will be all ready for early, early spring plantings of many things that are too tall for the little tunnels. (think LOTS more flowers for much longer :) )  

Also, work has begun on a carport/lean-to addition to the barn (by professionals, not me). There is never enough space for storage so this will be a great help. Since it will have a concrete slab, it will also be a super awesome place to construct more chicken huts & runs and any other projects that benefit from having a perfectly level surface to work on that is out of the snow in winter and the sun in summer.

The chickens continue their long slowdown of laying while molting, so eggs will be much thinner than normal for the next few weeks. The cold doesn't help either and if the forecast for lows below freezing most nights and into the low 20's holds, I will be running many extension cords to power their heat lamps through the nights to help keep their bare toushies toasty warm until all their feathers return.

That same forecast means the end is nearly here for the fresh flower season. I am heavy harvesting before the potential snow comes this weekend and many plants won't mind a bit of a chill under their little tunnels but the exposed sunflowers and delicate dahlias & nasturtiums will succumb to its icy grip. A few wreaths, made from flowers dried in summer, have already made appearances at the markets and I will have more this week and those hereafter so that a little bit of a reminder of the summer sun can shine all winter long.

And don't forget that this Friday is the Apple Festival at Troy and the market starts early! From 2-630pm there will be lots of great stuff to see and do, and live music too!

The first frame is up and at about 10 feet tall in the center they are definitely high tunnels. It took more doing and undoing and redoing than I would like but it was a quick learning curve (as well as some suggestions to the instruction writers) and is solid.

The second tunnel is ready for lift off! It went together much easier with what tricks I discovered and notes I made from assembly of the first.

Twins! Enough room was left on either side of each and in between to allow for snow accumulation in winter, easy passage around with tools in summer, and just enough space to fit an extra planting bed in each spot if my life overflows with seedlings in spring, which is pretty much a given.

All draped and dressed up and ready for work! Putting the plastic over was easily the hardest part. We had to do it in some mild wind since the breeze won't stop but we did it, we survived.

Since they don't have doors at the ends like normal high tunnels, access to the inside is via the sides, the same way they are vented during sunny days. The plastic is ruched up and held at whatever height I like by some nifty movable clips. The final step for the fall is to return the tarps to their locations to ensure a weed-free, wonderful planting surface come next spring!

The base for the carport's slab has been prepped and hopefully getting some concrete later today! It is the full length (40') of the barn and 20' wide. The butterflies enjoy sipping some moisture from the warm gravel base, while the chickens are left to look on with jealousy as this was the former site of their compost pile (which was moved for future sifting and applying to beds) and they have to remain locked up until it is finished since they would immediately run over and disturb the lovely, level gravel.

Hella decided to enjoy the relative warmth of the Dragon Dome high atop the leaning ladder (which she then proceeded to chase her tail under). She was promptly removed by use of a smaller ladder since the likely outcome was either her crashing it into the tomato vines or her landing onto the junk atop the seed starting table below. Neither eventuality did I look forward to. Mischief managed.

What's available this weekend?

• Eggs!  The grass is going golden and the grasshoppers are thick and juicy and sometimes not quick enough to hop away from the chasing chickens!
  • dozen pasture-raised, rainbow chicken eggs $5
  • Hen Saddles - yep, clothes for chickens. It helps reduce feather-wear from roosters and hen-pecking during molt.
• Flowers!
  • Mixed Bouquets - Snow is coming and possibly lows in the mid 20's, get the flowers before they freeze!
  • Wreaths - dried to save the summer bounty for all eternity. Sizes vary and each one is unique and custom made!
• Veggies!
  • Spicy Microgreens (Radish & Arugula)
  • Herb Microgreens (Lemon Basil)
  • Green Bell Peppers
  • Heirloom Tomatoes
  • Baby Head Lettuce Mix
  • Garlic
    • Chesnok Red
    • Moroccan Creole

Where to find it all?
I'll be at the Farmers Market at Libby, this Thursday from 3-7pm!

I'll be at the Troy Farmers Market, this Friday from 2-630pm! It's the Apple Festival and will have live music and many more vendors!