September 5, 2008 is the beginning of planting.

Seeds were planted into one of the larger 4' x 10' planting beds. 11 Commercial Florescent lights were hung overhead with spacing ~1' apart. Each light holds Qty (2) T12 / 40Watt tubes, for a total qty of 22 light bulbs. The lights were left on 24 hours a day for the first 4 weeks. Cost of running all 11 lights, 4 hours a day, is estimated at around $45.00/month for the one planter. Pretty expensive greens.

Weather this past Sept. was pretty warm. We had a fair amount of sun, 60 degree days and even some 60 degree nights. Seeds that were planted Sept. 5 germinated within a week and the germination rate was good. The qty of veg. is small, 12 varieties were planted for some diversity and some of the mature alfalfa clumps were left in for additional nitrogen.

Vegetables planted were: a few pole beans, 1 row of Medina spinach, 3 rows of Nantes carrots, 1 row of Black Seeded Simpson lettuce, 1 row Swiss Chard, 3 rows onions, a couple Romaine Lettuce clumps, 1 row of radishes, 1 row of Early Wonder and Feuer Kugel beets, a few Sugar Lode 3' pea plants, a clump of Lemon Basil and 1 Geranium.

After 2 weeks of growth, mulch consisting of chopped oak leaves and pine needles was added to retain moisture, keep the soil cooler and to give the still living night crawlers some food. Because of the lighting, plants grew straight and well. Natural sun was about 1/4 of the way into the greenhouse.  Nights are still warm, days have brought beautiful fall weather.

Sept. 9-12, 2008:  More plants are started in germination pots which will be grown in individual 2-5 gallon containers.  The germination pots are placed by the south wall with the same fluorescents assisting the germination and seedling growth.  Store bought starting soil is being used to start the plants.  The goal is to get these plants started, transplanted and somewhat mature before the weather starts getting colder.

3 kinds of summer squash, 2 varieties of cucumbers, midget melon, 4 varieties of tomatoes, 4 varieties of broccoli, 2 types of cabbage, 2 types of brussel sprouts, 2 types of fennel, 1 type of kohlrabi, 2 varieties of peppers, 2 types of celery and 1 white scallop will be our container crops.  Other container crops that will be planted throughout the winter will consist mostly of lettuces.

September 24: Qty (1) 4' x 4' planter bed is planted with lettuce, spinach and a row of rutabagas. Plants germinated well. Nights are still relatively mild, days are mild.

Additional plants acquired are: 3 banana plants, 1 pineapple, 1 pineapple guava, 1 mango, 3 kiwi vines, 2 pilgrim cranberries, 3 blueberry bushes, 1 echinacea, 1 miniature citrus orange, 2 small red peppers and a boat load of geraniums. These plants are all in individual large pots.

Additional work being done at this time is bringing excess dirt into the greenhouse. The mix being accumulated in 1-5 gallon pots is approximately the same as was put in the planter beds: 1/3 horse manure, 1/3 super soil and 1/3 field soil.