There's no place like home.....

The hoophouse/greenhouse was put to the test with last night's wind and thankfully, it survived. We all went to work first thing Wednesday morning making some sandbags for the side 'curtains' of our new structure. Since it is really a hoophouse, which means we can roll up the sidewalls on both long sides, we were a little nervous about the forecasted winds gusts.  As we explained to MB and EC why we were doing this, I mentioned that we didn't want to see our hoophouse sailing in the wind like Dorothy's. MB informed me, straight-faced as could be, that it would be okay because we didn't live in Kansas!

Hauling the sandbags on the tobacco sled/trailer.

Stepping back and admiring your handiwork.

Greenhouse Updates

So the "hoophouse" we (Russell) constructed earlier this month has now officially been converted into a heated greenhouse. Good news! Tons of tiny seedlings are sprouting due to the addition of a heat source. We originally intended  on adding a hoophouse just to get a few weeks jump on starting spring/summer transplants to set into the gardens, but that quickly changed when we realized we could modify a woodstove that we already had and use the endless supply of wood that we have. Everyone has been enjoying 70 degree days inside while the outside temps have been, well, January-like.

Step 1 of planting in the greenhouse - submerge yourself in the potting mix and check the consistency! This is why EC is the official Entertainment Leader of our farm!

Still in the 'hoophouse' stages, no heat source, but high hopes of planting many trays of goodies.

Break time from working in the greenhouse - surprise, they actually put their shoes on for this!

This is "Pawpaw" who has been quite the engineer in getting our heat source up and going.

Did someone say 'heat'? Clearly an open invitation for everyone, four-legged and two. This picture was taken the day after we found Ellie at a neighbor's house. She ran away during the snow storm last week and needless to say, EC was more than happy to have her furry greenhouse assitant back home.

Ellie makes every trip with us to the greenhouse, even in the wee hours of the night, to check temperatures.

How do a 4 and 6 year old stay busy in a greenhouse for hours on end.......today it was a very large box of monster trucks, kindly shared with by one of their cousins. Thank you Caleb!

Interesting find in our woodpile.

Okay mommy, I 've been a bystander long enough. I've got this.  First, fill up the pot with soil.

Next, label it with all the letters I've learned to write this week. Apparently this was a BBHHSSS plant. I'll be sure to post pictures of what actually sprouts

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Last step, water, water, and water some more. This little gardener follows the motto "If some is good, a whole lot more is a whole lot better."

MB ignoring mommy's 50th request to please not use the hammer as an ax and severly damage some body part in the process.

The first beet sprouting today, four days after we planted it.

A bit more difficult to see, but right in the middle of the cells are two purple kohlrabi seedlings.

Where has the time gone?

Lots of goings-on at the Farlow Farm. Winter is certainly a slower season for us, but certainly plenty to do....................

Dirt baths to be taken

First time cauliflower

Harvesting honey, great! Losing bees, not so great! We're hoping to catch a swarm in the spring and get our hive up and going again.

Painting the 'ribs' of the hoophouse.

Adding plastic to hoophouse.

MB feeding a Golden Campine hen an overgrown purple carrot.

Adding initials to the chinking in the log cabin

All greenhouse construction requires a knowledgeable canine supervisor.

How a righty and lefty share a drill

When the going gets tough, the tough take a cake break!

Supervisor #2

Adding leaf mould to asparagus bed.

I really do work something besides a camera.

Take me for a ride on my big red tractor