Okay time to get back into fall updates. If you missed any parts here are the links,
Part I &
Part II. Today's topic will focus on the cedar poly tunnel. On the whole it is doing pretty well with some crops doing better then others. I think this is caused from my delay in planting a few crops from their cell pack into the ground as I did start things quite early.
Here is an overview of the tunnel. The cover has been on for a few weeks now and it has sure has been needed. Its been quite cool lately at night with many light frosts. Mother nature does look to be giving use a nice warm up starting Saturday though. If the forecast pans out we should be above seasonal for almost two weeks.
Sugar Loaf Chicory - I have never tried these before but they are supposed to produce a head similar to a romaine and it is a biter green. This variety and the following two are the ones lagging a bit but they seem to have put on some good growth lately.
Mizuna - Another green I have never tried before. We had some in a salad a few days ago and it was quite nice. Very hardy green as well.
Wong Bok (napa cabbage)- This crop I think I should have started in June as appose to July. I don't think they will have enough time to develop a head but time will tell I guess. Not sure how hardy they are either, if they can make it through the winter maybe they will produce heads early next spring.
Now onto the big stuff, here is the row of Red Celery. They were started June 1st and planted in the soil mid July. They are doing excellent and will go to good use this fall/winter in hearty fare.
On the apposing side is Black & China Rose radish, both are producing more leaves then roots. Beside them are some transplanted green onions. I planted them this spring, they were shaded so didn't really grow well so I transplanted them into the tunnel. They have done really well and will also make a nice addition to fall dishes.
I will end with another tree shot from the back yard. The trees have drop half their leaves so I will have to get raking soon. It is one task I could do without but they have to go or the lawn does not do well. These trees are also not ours, our property is raised about 3 feet and ends just before the tree trunks. The trees are owner by the low rise apartments that line the street behind use. Thankfully they are not allowed to build on this section of land.
Here is an overview of the tunnel. The cover has been on for a few weeks now and it has sure has been needed. Its been quite cool lately at night with many light frosts. Mother nature does look to be giving use a nice warm up starting Saturday though. If the forecast pans out we should be above seasonal for almost two weeks.
Sugar Loaf Chicory - I have never tried these before but they are supposed to produce a head similar to a romaine and it is a biter green. This variety and the following two are the ones lagging a bit but they seem to have put on some good growth lately.
Mizuna - Another green I have never tried before. We had some in a salad a few days ago and it was quite nice. Very hardy green as well.
Wong Bok (napa cabbage)- This crop I think I should have started in June as appose to July. I don't think they will have enough time to develop a head but time will tell I guess. Not sure how hardy they are either, if they can make it through the winter maybe they will produce heads early next spring.
Now onto the big stuff, here is the row of Red Celery. They were started June 1st and planted in the soil mid July. They are doing excellent and will go to good use this fall/winter in hearty fare.
On the apposing side is Black & China Rose radish, both are producing more leaves then roots. Beside them are some transplanted green onions. I planted them this spring, they were shaded so didn't really grow well so I transplanted them into the tunnel. They have done really well and will also make a nice addition to fall dishes.
I will end with another tree shot from the back yard. The trees have drop half their leaves so I will have to get raking soon. It is one task I could do without but they have to go or the lawn does not do well. These trees are also not ours, our property is raised about 3 feet and ends just before the tree trunks. The trees are owner by the low rise apartments that line the street behind use. Thankfully they are not allowed to build on this section of land.
I started my five napa cabbage in June. I think all but one will make it. The last one was planted too close to the fence and just didn't get enough light to grow. Last year I tried over wintering a couple and they lived until spring then expired. I put them in a plastic tunnel in the spring and I think they couldn't handle having warm air and frozen ground. Maybe you will have better luck than me.
ReplyDeleteYou should have started this post with "Today's topic will focus on the thing in my yard that EG has lascivious thoughts about - the poly tunnel". Heh
ReplyDeleteI'm liking the celery a lot ! It's going on the list.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazingly beautiful golden carpet ! I never do my leaves in one shot, maybe that's why I like doing them. Will you be grabbing some of the leaves on the other side too ?
Love that little hoop house, you did a great job. I've been slacking on my fall garden this year. We had a cold snap early which stunted most things I'd planted for the fall. Oh well, I guess it happens sometimes.
ReplyDeleteDan, your poly tunnel is great! And everything in the garden is really looking nice up there. Glad to hear that you'll be having some warmer temps for a while. That will help keep everything growing nice for a while.
ReplyDeleteI love the pics of the trees and the pretty fall colors. Your blog has been outstanding the last week! Thanks so much for sharing!
Nice greens. What does mizuna taste like? Is it sharp like endive? I'm on the lookout for new greens to grow, in spring or even over the winter under the grow light.
ReplyDeleteI am lovin' your Fall Crops Updates. They have encouraged me to try to grow more fall crops next year.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I have “hammered” you for the Honest Scrap Award. Please visit here for the details. I don’t know if you participate in this sort of thing and will completely understand if you chose not to. I just want you to know that I enjoy reading your blog.
The greens in the poly tunnel are looking good. It's amazing what some modest sun and a little protection will do season extending. My celery is out in the open this year and so far (knock on wood) has been holding up really well. In fact, the fall harvested stalks are fatter and more succulent then the summer harvests were. I am sure it is because the plants are not facing any hydration or heat stress in the cool wet fall days.
ReplyDeleteI have quit growing bitter greens because no one will eat them but me (and only modest amounts at that). I wish it were different because they make a great fall/winter protected crop.
Your tunnels really are doing a great job of protecting your veggies, because everything looks great! I think most of us looking at your photos are experiencing "tunnel envy."
ReplyDeleteI thought my winter radishes (mine are Muncheiner Beer radishes) would be all leaf and no root, too, but just today I noticed white bulges where the stems come out of the ground. They are just being slow. Maybe your are, too?
Hi Dan! Love your cedar polly tunnel. I think that I remember that you blogged about making this... but I couldn't find that post.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you do a post on the tunnel construction?