Tag Archives: Pinespring

Storm Coming

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There’s a storm coming. You could hear the buzz all day long, in the newsroom and at Lowe’s and all around town. By now, everyone knows what’s coming.
And what’s coming keeps growing, at least in the eyes of forecasters. 3 to 6 inches. No, 4 to 8. The last time I checked, I think we were in the 10-inch scare, or maybe a whole foot.
The total doesn’t matter as much as this: If you tend things — especially outdoor things — there are certain things that need to be done every time a dumping is in the offing, so to speak.

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Before the storm, a mild and sunny late afternoon.

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The House of Lettuce

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Today, I seeded lettuces and arugula in my little window greenhouse.

minigreenhouse

Built from old windows removed from our farmhouse, this mini-greenhouse is used from late fall to mid-spring. in particular to extend the greens growing season.

We saw one of these simple structures in Lancaster a few years ago, on one of our Saturday drives. And by 6 p.m. that evening, I had one of these for my very own. Not purchased, but built by the very talented  handyman right here at Pinespring. OK, we happened to have a nice selection of old windows around, since we were gradually replacing all those in the old farmhouse. Still, I think that’s pretty darned good when you have a guy who will, with no urging, be inspired by something like this and just go home and make one — that same day.

You don’t need to have a mini-greenhouse, though, to have a crop of early spring greens. If you have a protected area — a little area of bed next to the house, maybe — consider growing a crop of spring greens. Find an area that faces south, a planting area next to a building or wall. Even if this is a spot you use later for perennial flower color, it can be devoted to early greens from March through mid-May.

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