Transplanting in the Mobile High Tunnel - Snow outside, Warm inside

Although there is still plenty of snow outside, temperatures have finally warmed up inside the mobile high tunnel.  

With all the night time temperatures in single digits, the first transplanting and planting is about one month or more later than last year.

Ken planted some seeds a couple days ago.  and yesterday he began to transplant some greens.  He pulls trays of transplants down in a sled.  and he pulls containers of water down to the greenhouse by sled.

He removes the fiber that was in place to keep soil warm

He then prepares soil.  

He then places plants.  He kneels on a towel to keep his knees dry and warm.















Now we need some sunlight and heat

June at Keppers

Interesting.   It seems like each of the last few spring seasons I have typed "it has been an unusual season..." This year it was a cool and late spring - I don't remember single digits at night in March, I never cleaned and priced pottery in snow in May, etc.  Last year we had 80 degrees in March.

May, honest!

This year's cool, wet spring has led to some challenges for Ken. 

Planting onions a few weeks ago

Most years he can start planting crops out doors in mid to late April.  This year's late start has meant a real push to accomplish what he may do over six weeks most years to a much shorter time this year.  

Ready to plant and fenced to keep geese out

Ken has finished many of the spring plantings, and it is dry enough he can now get the soil ready for others.  He has planted heat loving crops in the mobile high tunnel.  Soon he will be planting other crops in the medium tunnel.  

And on the other side of the mobile high tunnel, the rye is heading out.

There are signs of catching up - pepper plants are blooming!

And there are even some marble sized tomatoes

The Greenhouse in April

April photo - honest!

The greenhouses are slow to warm this season.  

Why are the doors on the side?

Here is view of one of the two doors from the inside during the first week in April

MELT!

There is noticeable snow melt, however.

Will they come back?  Wait and see

 

The single digit low temperatures during March meant the green houses cooled down, and even with fiber protection we had some damage and loss - a first.  Ken is waiting to see if these red cabbage come back from the roots

Filling in where he lost a plant

But Ken has been transplanting, and watering and covering things inside the greenhouses.  

 Ken inside, Oscar out side

And as Ken works transplanting, Oscar stays busy - he patrols for rabbits, squirrels, and other varmints.

Ken moving fiber to get at plants so he can water

Now this week things are really starting to grow.  

Direct seeded plants coming up!

It is an exciting time of year.





 

Ken offering to tie up the containers so I can take more than two

 I traveled down to check the progress and take some snapshots.  Once I saw how dry it is inside the mobile tunnel, I offered to take back some empty water containers and seedling trays that Ken had hauled down under a towel using a sled.

Sled with transplant trays and water containers

I returned with four of the five gallon containers  filled - whew.  I am out of shape and it was a workout!  I will really appreciate the irrigation pond once it thaws.

Mobile Tunnel Update

Ken has been busy in the mobile tunnel.  First he has prepared raised beds and irrigation.

Then he transplants - first tomatoes.

Next the peppers,

And some cucumbers.

He also got a support system in place for the tomatoes and cucumbers to go up.  He is really happy to have this in place before the plants get large and the task is much more difficult.

It may look like modern art, but it is functional, too.

Mobile High Tunnel Update

Ken has resumed work on the mobile high tunnel.  He had taken a break to catch up on harvest, fall plantings and other farm work.  He had not expected to be able to get back to the greenhouse, but the weather has been with him.

He worked on some bracing and then has been cutting pieces of end wall and installing them.   He is nearly finished!

The Window Vents in the End Walls

On Saturday once the arches were raised, we had more help. Our friend Bentley came and helped with anchoring and getting the windows in the end walls.







He and Ken lifted the panels, and I slid in the bolts so they would stay in place. Thank you for all the help!

The Arch Raising

On Friday several people arrived for the arch raising. We had two hay wagons and ladders and tools.














First people picked up and walked the arches down










Then the ends are slid into the upright side walls.






















And sometimes a bit more persuasion is needed.











As the arches are put into place, the spaces need to be double checked for consistency. And then the purlins are put into place.








What a beautiful sight! Thank you to all those who helped.

Building the Arches

Ken set up a frame for the arches. I came down and helped put them together.










After the arches were together, Ken put the end wall arches together.











Now once we get the sidewalls up we are ready for the arch raising

Setting the Track

One of the most difficult challenges in building the mobile high tunnel is setting the track.The two tracks need to be parallel and on a level plane - one end can be higher or one side, but it needs to be consistent.






And the foundation for any building project is crucial for its success. Ken had set up the track, a string and the transit. Loyal came by and helped. They measured various points along the track.









It is first one side, and then the other -












The covered cart is for the many tools on site.




















Job done for the day