Step Two

Before I get going too much I want to say, I am NOT a writer!! My husband tells me I don't speak in complete sentences and apparently I write the way I speak :) Sorry!!!



Now that I decided to become a farmer working with USDA, I had to fill out a LOT of paperwork. The deadline was in February so in between then and when the final decision came around it wasn't until April 4th that my hoop house arrived. Very exciting day but when they say to have help and it might be good to have a bobcat around...they weren't kidding. The freight arrived in two very, very big and heavy boxes. We had a bobcat, but the one box was so heavy it wouldn't pick it up. We had to unload half of it into my pickup - to make it light enough.



When I got the word from my AG dude (as I call him), not only did I have to order the hoop house, but also lots more seeds. Since I am going to be organic, I ordered only organic seeds. I ordered from Seed Savers; Johnny's and Seeds of Change. All very good companies - I recommend all three.



I have 36 rows in the outside garden where I have planted some of the same things I am growing inside. Brandywine tomatoes; red peppers (4 kinds) and Mexican Midgets (tomatoes). If you haven't tried them, you should! They are smaller than a cherry - about half the size and taste like a BIG tomato.



In another Blog I will go through what I planted when, but yesterday was a red letter day....first blooms on the tomatoes in the hoop house!!!

Hoop House Adventures

I have retired early and wanted to find a new adventure. I believe when you are on your true life path, doors will open to allow things to happen for you. While reading about what the White House is doing with their garden, I came upon what I have dived head-first into organic gardening. While thinking more concerning this, I came upon information on a study to explore how to extend the season of growing by using a hoop house. This 30' by 72' hoop house doesn't use heat and won't be cooled by anything other than rolling up the sides and ends - letting the breeze do its job. Because I am part of this study now, I thought it might be helpful to share with others how this may be working here in Central Wisconsin.