Once again, if for nothing else, a post to record the current status of Friends and Neighbors Farm.

First, the spinach.  These pictures were taken on 1/21.  Spinach looks pretty darn good despite the frigid temps.  Up until this point, I had not turned on the heater.  And, on this day I actually turned on the drip irrigation for the first time since November, I believe.  I ran it for about 3 hours.  Seemed like the right thing to do.  I could dig my finger in the soil and it seemed pretty dry.  Thought the spinach would enjoy some water.

Today, I actually turned the heater on.  Its hovering around zero degrees right now with the wind chill bringing it a bunch lower.  The wind chill is obviously not affecting the inside of the greenhouse, so with the sun out, it was actually around 30 or so in there.  Quite nice compared to outside!  But, I’ve been wondering if the heat might help the spinach start growing a bit faster.  I feel like we’ve had some decent light lately, just cold temps.

I need to research the feasibility of turning the heat on at all in there for the spinach.  It obviously doesn’t need the heat to survive, but if I can get more growth, sell more spinach, does it make sense?  And what temp to set it at?   How long to run it?  Day?  Night?  I know the answers are out there somewhere.  Someone surely has asked the same questions.  If by chance anyone reads this with some insights, please share.

I guess I’ve decided I’m going to let it run for a couple hours today, if for nothing else, to thaw out the frozen parts of the row cover.  I’ve had the spinach uncovered for the last few days, but with temps predicted to reach 20 below in the next few days, I want to make sure its covered up.

Getting ready to start some herbs for the spring.  New experiment this year, but I had enough people ask about herbs the last couple years, that I think its probably going to be worth it.  We’ll just see how close I get the timing.  Should have my seed orders ready to go the beginning of this week.  Exciting!  Spring is on its way!!  Right?

Should also be getting my ginger shipment in the next couple weeks.  Excited to try that again and hopefully get it right this year.  Or at least more right.

That’s it for now.  Stay warm people!!

Papa G