Thanks for the introduction Also the tasty gardening and wood working pictures. I organic garden in the upper desert 5000' in Arizona. Upvoted and followed.
You are viewing a single comment's thread from:
Thanks for the introduction Also the tasty gardening and wood working pictures. I organic garden in the upper desert 5000' in Arizona. Upvoted and followed.
Thank you. I am at around 3000', and live where the colder air comes down off of Rathdrum Mountain and can mess with gardening. One benefit is we have much cooler nights. Gardening is much different , that's for sure.
We're located about 30 miles from the Mogollon Rim which is at 7000-7700' elevation raising rapidly from 5000 -6000' like a basalt wall more than 100 miles long. The predominant wind direction comes over the Rim and down past us and to the Little
Colorado River Valley. We use small hoop houses to extend the season and for wind protection. Challenging but wonderfully rewarding and theraputic. I;m interested to hear more about hydroponics too.
Sounds challenging, but like you said rewarding and therapeutic. I use a hoop house (20 feet long) for my tomatoes and peppers. I had two but winter before last we had a nasty windstorm that trashed both hoop houses. I got new greenhouse plastic and used salvageable materials from both to have one up last spring.
Today I will be seeding for the garden and for some hydroponic units, so will take photos when they are ready to "plant" in the unit. I use an uncomplicated method.
Looking forward to your postings. My technique for hoop houses: use rebar inside pvc and cover with white polycarbonate (diffuses the light) screwed on to pvc. Stands high winds and snow loads,usually a foot or less, Mostly slides off unless snow is real wet. Tried the tripple woven poly but had to rachet it down tight to prevent flapping which shortens its life span drastically.
My dad had a greenhouse business and had a lot of hoop houses. He got me connected with a place to by UV treated special plastic (4 mil). It warranties for 4 years. I have had one GH last over 8 years with the same plastic. The windstorm took out mine at the 4 year mark. I use 3/4 or 1 inch steel conduit that electricians use. I tried PVC the first time and then switched to the conduit. During the heat of the summer I have shade cloth to cover the greenhouse and ease up on the intensity of the sun through plastic.
All that counts is that it works. ;0)