When we built our hoop house in 2008, our plan was to see if we could extend the growing season of some basic greens into the fall and early winter. For us, it would be judged a success if we could pick some spinach for Christmas dinner from our own garden.Our first year surpassed all expectation, yielding food well into March, and our second winter was no different (except we learned the hard way we had planted our spinach too deep).
Unfortunately, our home-made design, though effective, has proven to be problematic and worrisome; the central braces, required to support the snow load, make it difficult and unpleasant to navigate the path; the planting area isn't sufficient; there is no place for tools, pots, or even a watering can.
Something we hadn't considered, our little garden is producing 365 days a year, as the warmth of Spring sunshine triggers new growth and the garden rejuvenates each year with little attention from us.
Yes the sun can be wonderful, but by late May, my glasses fog-up when I enter, even with the door and window open. Ventilation is now a necessity, as cooling becomes as important in summer as warming is in winter.
Our goal for 2010 will be to locate or construct a better, more user-friendly hoop house. Like a wish list for a new home, we need;- more space (including storage)
- more windows (which would allow for better air flow in the summer)
- a structure which would withstand weather of all four seasons.
In the meantime, our Kale, Chard, Basil, and Tarragon will do their best to tolerate the extreme heat while we find them, and our future goodies, a new home.
Let the planning begin!
