Posts Tagged ‘winter’

1 Feb 2010

Winter Update

Posted by Jake. 21159 Commentshttp://www.rawutah.com/archives/2115Winter+Update2010-02-01+18%3A02%3A10Jake

Here’s the Winter update..in photos and video. So many plants to play around with!! Getting ready for Spring..by amending soil in current beds, creating more soil for future beds and selecting, starting and planting more seeds and seedlings!!! We’re also building swales on contour.. and putting in more nitrogen fixers.

oh..and.. I did a lady bug release last night..in the dome..go get em ladies!

: Building my first swale in the front yard..FOOD FOREST! The rain..comes out of the gutter to the right..and hits the swale.

: Instead of running straight down the hill..to the street..it fills the swale..especially the middle..then sinks in..keeping nutrients on the property and builds up a water “lens” underneath the fruit trees.

: One of the many simple techniques of Permaculture. I love SWALES! SO much WATER SAVED. We will be planting fruiting/nitrogen fixing plants on top of the swale very soon..

: Early in morning..7AM..still frozen

: Later in the morning..10AM..venting the tunnels

: Mixed heirloom romaine lettuces..Jericho, Paris Island, Freckles

: The brassica bed, still growing..but frozen in the morning.

: I love seeing the Kale’s freeze back..then warm up..greeting the sun!

: ….one hour later..unfrozen and happy!

: Mixed greens..still coming up..spinach, arugula, lettuce, tatsoi, bok choy, kale, chard, collard

: Garlic starting to show her aerial parts…so tasty..to even eat the leaves. It’s China Rose.

: Asian Pear..this one is Shinseiki

: Tunnel growing in a few beds..and building soil for future beds.

: Under Porch..microclimate..winter refuge..for succulents and other plants

: Red Wiggler..surfin..on the plastic hoop tunnel. Tons of them came out of the beds during the rains..to surf..it appears.

: Succulents..my sweet aloe. Goji seedlings wintering over in the little pots to the left.

: Inside..the Growing Dome

Have FUN..GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD!

Tags: backyard , byodynamic , gardening , greenhouse , low , organic , permaculture , raw , soil , square foot garden , The "Growing Dome" Greenhouse , tunnel , utah , winter

27 Jan 2009

COLOR AND GROWTH in the GROWING DOME. TOMATOES TOO!

Posted by rawutah. 72No Commentshttp://www.rawutah.com/archives/722009-01-27+18%3A37%3A00rawutah

The “purple asparagus” we planted last week has started to sprout! This is all so new to us! All these new signs of life are very exciting! This variety of asparagus is just eaten raw, off the stalk! We’re growing it this first year until it goes to seed, then letting it grow again next year and will harvest at the end of the next growing season. Guess that’s the way of the Asparagus. Ahhhh the genesis of life……!

(click on pictures for larger view)

One of the goals we’ve envisioned…..is to be able to walk around the dome eating as you walk…eating a plant leaf here….or a flower there…or maybe just eat a whole tomato and add some fresh herbs like basil or cilantro for flavor combo fun! By the time you get around the dome….you might be too full to keep eating….sounds nice to me!

There couldn’t be a more peaceful place to enjoy a fine meal off the vine!

Here’s a quick tour as of this morning, outside temp is around 32F. Inside temp at 78F and 60 percent humidity.

: East side of the Dome, capturing early morning sunlight

Little tomato plants – “Early Girl” hybrids. We’re seeing if we can produce a bunch of fruit early…then transplant with heirloom varieties in a couple months…..we’ll see!

Close up of tomato plant

I think I’ve found a new love in tomatoes….they’re awesome plants….a lot to learn about! I’ll be doing a post very soon on local tomato growers. Including soil and hydroponics! Not wanting to re-invent the wheel, we’re asking around about local methods and varieties used in growing these amazing plants….more to come!