High Tunnel II

Since I last wrote in this blog, we had a nice "little" March snowstorm of about 18 inches.  The weather did warm up enough to melt the snow and while it has not snowed much more, we have plunged into the proverbial deep freeze.  Normal highs this time of year are around 50 degrees and normal lows are around 32 degrees.  For the past week, temps have been running a good 15 to 20 degrees below normal.  Next week the forecast is for more of the same.  March is usually my least favorite month because of all the mud.  Who would have ever thought they I would craving for a little bit of mud?  Dang it is cold outside.

But farming must go on.  Living up north on the frozen tundra of Ohio, farmers have to be creative in order to grow crops more than the 4 months of good weather that we have.  One of the solutions is to erect something called a "high tunnel".  A high tunnel is basically an unheated greenhouse.  PCF High Tunnel I was built with loving care and lots of extra supports in the fall of 2009.  January of 2010 it collapsed under the weight of a typical winter snow storm.  Today it still stands all mushed and collapsed in one corner of the field.  The rabbits sure did appreciate the shelter all winter though.

Last week, High Tunnel II was built.  Different design and hopefully a different outcome.  Here the posts are being set in the ground next to High Tunnel I.  The guys had fun starting their work in the field the day after we got 2 inches of rain.  They should have waited until this week with everything frozen.  I'm sure they are somewhat used to this though.  March does equal "mud" after all.

Ta Da!!!!!!!!!  High Tunnel II.

Yesterday Mike and I took a walk around the farm and got to take a good look at our new addition to the farm.  Mike took a thermometer with him.  The outside temps were around 30 degrees with windchill around 20 degrees, but the sun was shining.  As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted by gloriously warm air and instantly fogged up glasses.  The thermometer read 80 degrees.  Of course with no heat, the temperature will drop as soon as the sun goes down, but boy it felt good to stand inside there for a few minutes.

Doing my best Vanna White.  So now we can extend our growing season.  Mike is already talking about trying some early radishes.  Fingers crossed that this new design will withstand our winter snows.