I received a surprise from Patti, the Garden Girl, in the mail yesterday. She sent me a wonderful assortment of heirloom seeds from her Baker Creek collection. Jordan and I are going to grow a few of the golden beets so we can eat the tops in our salads. The lettuce we started last week is growing well under lights in the basement. If I wanted to be really fancy, it is at the perfect stage to be considered a micro salad. Since I am not in a 5 star restaurant, I think I'll let it get a little larger for my salads.
The lettuce is growing under the simple light set up I have which cost under $20. It is great for growing salad greens in the winter and starts for next season's garden. I am saving up for another shop light so I can grow more this year. The gardens need to expand in order to grow the ever expanding number of vegetables I plan on trying this year.
Well, I need to go since Jordan wants to plant those beets. Hope you can come back soon to join us in My Little Corner of the World. Kim
4 comments:
Nice set up you have there with your lettuce! It's nice to have fresh veggies even when it's -12 outside!
I see what you ment with the lights. I hope to have this simple design too, thanks kellie
Hi Kim, I just discovered your blog and love it! You are growing the garden I dream of. I got such a late start this year (zone 5B) that I will not have the melons I wanted, but anyway... I plan to use grow lights in the basement next winter for greens and early starting. What kind of bulb do you use, regular or full-spectrum? How much does the electricity cost you? What kind of plastic on the hoop house and how is it attached? I didn't understand about the side opening. I ate lots of sprouts this winter but would've loved some decent lettuce to go with them! Like you I don't care for radishes but love the sprouts. When I mistakenly bought lentils, which I hate, I tried sprouting them and they're very tasty too. How is your husband doing? I hope he gets that transplant very soon.
Chris in New England
Hi Chris, thanks for visiting.
Well I'll try to answer your questions...as for the grow lights, I used the regular "white" light ones with a plant and aquarium light. I don't think I will use the plant and aquarium light again due to the expense but will use a cool white and regular bulb as I did with my 3rd light (which I added in early spring for all the tomatoes). I didn't notice any real difference in the electrical cost at all so I would say maybe 1-2 dollars a month. The plastic on the hoop house was a roll of plastic that was 10'x25' and was 6 mil (I think but could have been 4 mil). It wasn't totally transparant but the plants didn't seem to mind. I duct taped another piece of pvc pipe to the side and then rolled it up to open the long side instead of the ends. I held it open with a couple of my husbands clamps. My husband is doing ok, still puttering around the house and yard but gets tired pretty easy and sleeps between 10-14 hours a day. Thanks for asking.
LMK if you have any more questions. Kim
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