Greenhouse is looking great!

Naked Greenhouse :( 

Working Hard

Today is the day the greenhouse film is going up. 

Weather is cooperating, and there is minimal wind. Tomorrow we may have tornados, so today all the hatches must be shored up. 

All Done :) 

I was even able to sit in my chair and help a bit. It will never cease to amaze me, that my husband can accomplish so much. He not only cut the wood, milled the wood, and constructed the green house by himself, but now is putting the film up. We used UV protect 6 mil greenhouse plastic, that has a 4 year warranty.

Turned out great, didn't it :) 

Now off to planting some summer veggies...

It's Here!!

Batten

Today our Batten Tape came in the mail. We have been waiting for this so we can put of the greenhouse film. We are very excited, because once this is finished, we will be able to put the rest of the plants into the greenhouse.

The living room is looking like a forest at this point. We have 250 tomato plants, 60 kale plants, 54 pepper plants, as well as some other random plants all in our living room. It is well past the time that they need to be planted in soil and not just the pots that they are currently in.

6 mil 4 year film

Today/tomorrow will be quite interesting. Last time we used the plastic we just nailed the plastic into the wood frame. This time we will be adding two batten layers. Normally the plastic is laid out and then the batten tape will go over the plastic and staples will be used to go through the batten, though the plastic, and secured into the wood frame. Since our greenhouse is built with wood from our property, it is not as smooth as a normal greenhouse, so we will be putting down a layer of batten, then plastic, then batten. The hope is that this will protect the plastic from rubbing the rough wood.

The whole family is getting in on the act. Even the chickens are supervising the work being done. They are excited about the greenhouse, as it means more plant scraps for them to fight over.

Chickens Supervising the Work

Spring Planting

Baby Squash plant

My Garden with Trellis

 Our garden in coming along nicely. We finished tilling the ground last week, and have planted the potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, cucumbers and carrots.  We have 2 trellises that are for the peas, beans and cucumbers. We have bush beans as well, but I am very excited about the trellis veggies. I am hoping they are so lush that I can hide between the rows. For the first time I used a garden planning program, and I am quite please. It allowed me to put the veggies in the garden, and it told me how many I could plant based on row/plant spacing requirements. It not only made it easier to plan, but also helped me maximize my plants for the space I have. It also gave me ideas on the "right" date to plant. I am not sure that I followed that very closely but it was nice to have all the information at my fingertips.

Garden Signs

I spent Mother's Day getting my signs ready for the garden. I made some last year, but the weather destroyed them, so this year I am going for much more sturdy signs. I think they turned out great.  Now I just need a nice day (today is pouring rain), so I can post them. I look forward to knowing where my plants are. I usually just go off memory, until I can see their leaves and use the leaves to identify the plants. This will be so nice! In addition, it will be easier for my visitors to see where the crops will be.

Rustic Serving Tray

I made a new serving tray for my family. I am proud to say that I cut down the tree, milled the wood, used the planer to level out the wood, and chiseled out the remainder wood, to make this serving tray. 

It was my first attempt and I am quite pleased.  We served a chip/dip combo on it for Mother's Day and it was quite the hit of the party. I just love having made handmade items that my family can use. 

It is amazing that it started as a tree on our property, and it is a kitchen item that will continue to bring us joy. I wish the photos were better, but you can get the general idea. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! 

To all the moms out there, I wish you a very happy mother's day.

I was raised by a wonderful mom, who taught me so many things. Who demonstrated daily the type of women I hope I can live up to someday. I am eternally grateful for her. She went without so we could have. She worried deeply, so we could be free. She offered us unconditional love, even when she wanted to pull her hair out. I know how truly blessed I am to have had her as a mom, and as a best friend. I love her more and more everyday.

Thanks Mom.  I love you.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Spring has Sprung

 One of my favorite times of spring, is when all the tree's are getting buds and some are even flowering. I have allergies but seeing all the flowers makes all the sneezing, worth it! We have 3 apple trees on our property, and when they bloom there is nothing prettier. It also signals that spring is here! It is a great signal that the growing season has started. Come fall we will gather the apples from the trees and can the harvest for eating during the winter months. It makes the winter only feel like a dream. It is spring again and nature is waking up and sharing her glory with us. As the days continue to warm and the days lengthen, I am reminded how amazing our world is, and how much I love living in my little homestead.