One Alaskans greenhouse

[Alasgun]

It’s that time of year, again. Who ever coined the phrase, “ the older you get; the faster time seems to fly by”, knew what they we’re talking about!

Now, if all the fall chores would “fly by” i’d be all set!

 

[Alasgun]

The caption for a couple of these pictures could either be, “the Fall greenhouse“; or “Getting ready for spring”.

The cukes are moving into they’re 5th month at this point which is a first for us; they usually do real well for 3-4 months then go down hill pretty fast. We had spider mites in there this year and i had all but written them off before trying a new product. While buying some predatory mites to turn loose in there; the sales person mentioned trying Pure Crop-1. It worked wonders and the cukes came back beyond what i thought possible. We’ll be frosted up and all done in another 4 weeks but im sure these guys will make it till then and now i have something to try again next year.

two tubs of spent cilantro were brought back into the greenhouse and will be allowed to ripen those seeds. We eat enough cilantro that i but seed 1/4 lb at a time and will continue to do so but i want to see how much seed they will produce and how it grows “on it’s home turf”.

 

[Alasgun]

The potato‘s were topped and covered today and in 2-3 weeks i’ll lift them. This 3 by 12 ft bed produced 80 lbs of potatoes last year. Half are red Norlands and half are Purple Moly.

With the inclusion of rabbit poop; im looking for 100 lb. this year.

 

[Alasgun]

We’ll still be eating on these four Kale plants in February. just before the leaves fall; i cover those with agribon fabric where they will remain. For the first bit i’ll hike out and take a leaf each day but once it’s an igloo under the snow; i take a whole plant at a time and hang it under the eve on the back deck; where i continue to pluck away till it’s gone. Then repeat!

The scraggly broccoli still have a few side shoots developing nen they go away.

 

[heirloomgal]

The caption for a couple of these pictures could either be, “the Fall greenhouse“; or “Getting ready for spring”.

Wow, that tomato plant! THAT kale, it's perfect! @Alasgun I'm very jelly of that hoop configuration over your raised bed. I've always wanted one of those set ups for a couple raised beds. I bet those work great. I have a friend who uses that system for growing perfect, bug free cabbages. But who am I kidding, I can barely keep up with caring for what I have already! 😂 Your organization and tidiness is amazing, because greenhouses tend to have 'stuff' accumulate over time in them. I try to keep mine mucked out, but the bottom corners tend to pile up a bit during the summer. What will you do with the kale?

 

[Alasgun]

Thanks for the kind words @heirloomgal, it’s been a peculiar year with lots of rain.
Last years tomato plant (celebrity) spaned the whole 12 ft. Width of the greenhouse and came out to the 2nd rafter; this one’s somewhat smaller. We only eat them a couple times a week, so plenty for us and to give away.
The Kale, is a Darkibore variety; we steam a leaf every day as part of our lunch. Great flavor and extraordinary keeping ability make it a win, win.
A number of sources offer a simple bender to make those hoops. Our beds are all 3 ft wide so i have a bunch of hoops and use them a number of ways thruout the year. 1/2 emt conduit in 10 ft lengths for the hoops and unbent as rails, lashed together with mule tape into numerous easily changed configurations.

 

[Alasgun]

The 2nd cutting of Chocolate Mint is now on the
Board. In the background is the 2nd cutting of Anise Hyssop.

 

[heirloomgal]

On

The 2nd cutting of Chocolate Mint is on the
Board.

One of my favourite herbal teas. 😊

 

[Alasgun]

The tree in the background (Prairie Magic) gave as a nice batch This year. They’ll stay in the barn till freezeup then come in.

The crabs will be ready within 2 weeks.

 

[Alasgun]

I believe we missed our opportunity for crab’s this year. We had 22 last night and they got bit pretty hard. Very early frost for us!
Lifted the beets and potatoes today and as usual the red norlands edged out the magic moly’s ever so slightly. My goal was 100 lbs. from the 3 X 12 ft bed and it looks close. Once curing’s done and i bag them for the cellar; i can get an actual weight.

This is normally a very exciting time of year for us however we have a strong run of the (wuhan, rona, covid) in our area and Ruthy & I been treasuring every moment! Not really, it’s pretty hard to function presently but after a week or so it seems us and a number of others in our area are on the mend.

Still have Parsnips and Carrots to come in but im only gonna do 1 bed at a time tomorrow, im pretty beat today.

in spite of the covid, we haven't lost sight of the blessing that the garden provides and are always eager to offer up a “Thank You Lord”.