The joy of having your own blog is the freedom to write about anything you like, right? It is spring in Nebraska, and for me this means I get to plant my garden. I'm always super excited to get out there and plant my seeds and plants! By September I often wonder what I was thinking by planting so much!
Several years ago, we were gifted a primitive greenhouse made out of hog panels and plastic. This was a game changer as far as protecting the plants from the elements! We get a lot of wind and at least one hailstorm every spring and summer here, so even though the greenhouse isn't heated, ventilated, nor cooled, I haven't had to replant anything due to mother nature for several years now! In fact, it has worked so well, we added another hog panel green house a couple of years ago. I will post more about how we did that in another post soon.
I still do not understand what took me so long to utilize heavy-duty landscape fabric in the greenhouse. Last year it occurred to me that just might be a good idea. And believe me it was! The plants did great and there was ZERO weeds to contend with! So this year, we put the landscape fabric down in the original greenhouse too. I also decided to try planting in containers on pallets. I'm hoping this will save my back, and maybe even utilize better soil by composting at the same time in the containers. Here is what I did:
I gathered up all of the empty cattle mineral tubs we had around the farm.
I drilled some drain holes in the bottoms.
In the bottom I put a layer of last year's dried up tomato and pepper plants.
Next I added a layer of some old straw.
I had some peat moss, so I added a layer of that until I ran out.
For the topsoil, I used some gorgeous manure/dirt mix that my awesome hubby mixed up. (We haven't tested it yet, but plan on doing that soon.)
I placed the tubs on some pallets in the greenhouse (with the black landscape fabric floor) and watered thoroughly.
Since I am experimenting, I planted cucumbers, tomatillos, tomatoes, and zucchini in the tubs. I also have a raised bed that I planted beans in. (This should make picking beans much easier!)
The forecast is for snow and below freezing temperatures this weekend, so we will be covering the plants even though they are in the greenhouse, since there is no heat. Next week once it warms up, the drip system will go in to water the plants. I can't wait to see how this new method works!!
I really love your greenhouse. Wonderful