Calm After The Storm
One never knows what the morning is going to bring. The recent run of stormy weather has been frazzling our nerves. We watch the weather closely and do our best to plan for the worst. Water on hand, flashlights and change of clothes packed, chainsaw and fuel in the truck – all in case we decide to leave our house in a hurry. Living in a mobile home elevates the threat of severe weather. Making your living in plastic covered buildings takes it to a whole other level. We feel fortunate in all the years we’ve never had an actual emergency..
Rutabaga
Beets with Greens
Red Potatoes
Kohlrabi
Green Beans
Zucchini
Cucumbers
Garlic Bulb
Onions
Mixed Tomatoes
Carrots (larges)
Tuesday night’s winds took the top off of the first high tunnel we installed back in 2014. It was due for new plastic on the roof and much like all maintenance on our farm, we were dragging our feet on getting it done. The edges were tattered and torn from years of wind, rain, snow and ice, so the whole east side zipped off clean without damaging the frame as far as we can tell. The 300+ tomato plants inside are now exposed to the weather, but that isn’t such a bad thing being we are in the midst of the hottest part of the summer.
The soil inside of tunnels tends to build up salts and minerals because they don’t get rain inside to flush them. This is a great opportunity to flush this tunnel. We have new roof plastic on hand but have decided to replace the side curtains as well. Roll up sides are easier to manage and do a better job keeping the heat inside in the winter and the animals outside in the summer. This was the first tunnel we ever purchased and there are a few things we’ve been wanting to change.
Finding the silver lining in the seemingly bad tunnel situation is easy. Unfortunately the hail that came along with the wind did a number on our tender leafy crops. The cucumbers and melons have been severely damaged but we are hopeful they will recover. On the contrary, the lettuce will be unavailable for at least two weeks. Just a bit too much damage from the hail. Much like us, everything else looks frazzled but will be fine.
Just another day on the farm,
