Archive for December, 2008

Courtyard Project – Phase Two: Retaining Wall

By ⋅ December 22, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

We have been pondering and planning the materials and design for the south side of the courtyard for a year now. I can’t tell you how many different ideas we have tested out for the treatment of this space. It is the transition between the courtyard and the lower vegetable garden area. There is about a four foot drop in the elevation between the two areas, and it occurs at the south end of the courtyard area.

Greenhouse Produce Growing

By ⋅ December 12, 2008 ⋅ 4 comments

We have a nice winter vegetable crop started in the greenhouse this year. We have half a dozen cucumbers, over twenty tomatoes, raspberries, lettuce, and some peppers. All of the plants are hooked up to a drip irrigation system. We are using liquid organic fertilizer applied in-line through the irrigation system which seems to be working really well. The plants are all very healthy and vigorous, with thick stalks and broad leaves. I will be planting spinach, chard, more lettuce, and some herbs over the holidays, which I can move out to the gardens later if we want to.

Summer and Winter in the Same Day

By ⋅ December 10, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

It’s hard to believe that I was working in the courtyard gardens at lunchtime yesterday, it was near 80 degrees and I was sweating, and by the time I went to bed last night it was snowing. When I got up this morning, it was right at freezing, and there was still snow laying around everywhere. The temperature actually dipped for a while around 8 am, and the snow stuck around all morning in most places. I took a few photos just before I went to work this morning.

Christmas 2008 Decorations

By ⋅ December 2, 2008 ⋅ 4 comments

I spent several days over the Thanksgiving break putting up the interior holiday decorations. They are always similar from year to year, but I think the photography has improved over time. I think I will need a better flash assembly before I can make much more improvement though. Anyway, here is what I have going […]

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