Remember the onion sets I planted back in October? Well, they had a rough winter, but are now growing quite well since warmer weather arrived. They are putting on new growth, and hopefully will bulb up before May. That's when sweet potatoes will started in these same containers, so they need to get on with it! If no bulbs form, they will still be put to good use as an addition to fresh salads and southern dishes that we frequently cook. Especially with pinto beans, fried taters, and cornbread. Woo doggie!!!!
The other day I mentioned that because of the tall front of the coldframes, cellpacks of germinated seeds were not able to get enough sunlight. Well, here's my solution.....After assessing the situation for a few minutes, I cut some 1x4's that would sit on top of the 2x2 frame on the inside, which created a little shelf that was perfect for raising them as needed. A 2x4 was put in the back to tilt them toward the direction of the sun too, and they should grow very good, now. These things will get quite a workout in about 6 weeks, and also next winter.
The broken window panes on the other one were repaired also, and they certainly needed new caulking after probably 50 years of service to the previous owner? They look pretty old.....Packing tape on both sides of the cracked glass should allow me to get a few more years out of them, too.
Speaking of the coldframes, I need something to automatically open the lids for me. Sure, I monitor the weather and prop them open on mornings when the sun is gonna be shining, but there are better ways to achieve this automatically. There are lots of automatic openers that you can buy for around $50 on the internet, but do you really expect EG to buy one? No way! I'm gonna build my own automatic opener, and for less than what the storebought ones cost. Don't worry, it won't be too technical, and you'll be able to build one too after I post about it. It'll be a piece of cake, and you know how I love building crazy stuff for the garden! It'll be called "EG's ventilator 3000". Hehe.....
Tomorrow will be a vacation day from work, as i'll be one of the judges in the county 4-H roundup, as always. This year, i'll be judging 3 different categories : Blocks rock, extreme birdhouse construction, and also project green thumb. I really enjoy donating my time for this each year, as the kids are just awesome - rowdy yes, but still awesome. In June i'll be judging again at the regional competition, which consists of competitors from 5 or 6 counties - there's where the competition really heats up. Anyway, I'll probably show a photo or two of the days' events sometime next week, and I hope you like them.
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
13 comments:
No I could never imagine you buying one. You remind me a of a younger version of my dad. He would always make things instead of buying them too.
Looking forward to your coldframe automatic opener.
Have a great day with the kids at the 4H roundup. Sounds like a lot of fun.
That's a great solution on the cold frame problem - the tilt of the board looks like it will position the seedlings for maximum exposure. Will be very interested to see how an automatic vent opener can be built.
I'm not sure I share your confidence about how easy it will be to build.
That adjustable height cold frame is nice, though. Would be great for tomatoes.
Can't wait for your post on the auto opener. Do you leave your seedlings in the coldframe at night, too? Our temps here are still a little cold (high 30's, low 40's) and my new coldframe gets too low to do that. You must have a bunch of coldframes with all of the tomatoes you start each year! Looking forward to following your blog. Thanks for the great info!
~~Lori
Oh, do hurry with those plans! I'm sure son John needs a new project to do...after he installs my new dishwasher this coming weekend ;-)
I've see some other posts around where people have used the motors from windshield wipers to build automatic openers.
Great solution to the coldframe problem...looking forward to seeing the automatic opener :)
Diggin' the coldframe EG, and those onions are sizing up nicely from the looks of it.
Daphne - nope, it just isn't in me to buy one. I like to tinker!
rachel - thanks
kitsapFG - the plants are doing much better now, thanks to the added height. There alot of different ways to construct an opener, but of course mine will be pretty unique.
stefaneener - actually, I feel it will be pretty primitive.
Lori - yes, what you see in the coldframe right now stay in the coldframe at night - regardless of temperature. I only have a couple, but have a 4x4 greenhouse, too.
Granny - Plans? There probably won't be a drawing of it, but the post about it will be very detailed. Tell John to come down here, i'll find him plenty to do....
hambob - I've seen them too, but don't have access to one. It sure would be an easy way to do it, though.
Sunny - thanks, it works much better now.
kelly - thanks, those onions seem to be really growing since the warmer temps have finally arrived.
Oh EG! I always smile when I can hear the wicked gears grinding away in your head... EG's Ventilator 3000?! I love it. But will it raise and lower the lid according to temperature? I'm sure it will - wouldn't want your babies to hot or cold now, eh?
Jenn - Yes, it will be thermostatically controlled, and a stand-alone unit.
Of course. I would expect nothing less. ;^)
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