Greenhouse Ballet

Our Greenhouse is small, very small. It is a conventional Quonset style house, uses a propane heater with 2 layers of poly, etc . There are several reasons for it's size: minimum space to heat, construction cost, matches our hoop house frames, as well as others.

We pack it. I mean cram it full of tray starts, flowers in crates. I've even considered using duct tape for ceiling attachments. I am kidding about the duct tape, but barely.

This all sounds great, small tight house which uses less gas which is good for our wallets and the environment and it's easier to manage as everything is all in one spot.

Now comes the tricky part. Watering. Luckily we are both skinny (even though we both eat like wolverines). It requires a dance somewhere between ballet and a halfback coming through the line of scrimage.

When our greenhouse is completely full, it sometimes require both of us to snake the hose through the house around crates and benches along our tiny walk ways. Motions have to be planned and choreographed to ensure nothing is broken, knocked or in general trashed.

We should sell tickets for cheap entertainment as some form of demented farm version of Cirque Du Soleil. Folks would of course have to sit outside and watch through the door as there is no room for them inside the Greenhouse.

Tulips for Valentine's day

"They're Here". Our first tulips of the 2011 season, just in time to give to your sweetie for Valentine's day. For Saturday's market we also have paperwhites and anemones. We'll hope to have tulips of various colors and types through April.

Paperwhites

For market this Saturday we'll have several bunches of cut paperwhites along with turnips, radishes and spinach. The paperwhites are a clear white flower as the name implies, they are fragrant but not overpowering and will add a little early spring ambiance to your home. Quantities of produce and flowers will increase as warmer weather approaches so be sure to shop early.

The days are becoming a little longer and our work days are increasing as well. We are busy filling our greenhouse with seedlings and tending the crops in our hoop houses. We are also attending more farm related meetings/presentations. However we still have time to sit by the wood stove and enjoy a good book.....for a little while longer.

First market of 2011

Tomorrow will be our first market of the New Year. Should be a chilly start to the day but we are looking forward to seeing everyone. We'll have turnips, radishes, spinach and some very pretty paper whites, some of the nicest we have ever grown.

Pictures from 2010

2010 what a year. The hottest summer on record and one of the coldest Decembers. Here are a few pictures from the year, starting with spring flowers, strawberries, summer flowers, tomatoes, peppers, hoop houses, etc. See you in 2011.

White Christmas

We haven't had a White Christmas in this part of North Carolina since 1947. This is at least our 4th snow storm of December, maybe our 5th....I am starting to lose track. Here are some random shots from around the farm.

Feliz Navidad

Rudolph was unavailable due to this week's mandatory FAA preflight checks and some minor electrical issues (soon to be corrected). Eli our crazy poodle was up to the task and extends "Merry Christmas" wishes to everyone from WHF.