Our latest experiment.

One of the things that we really love about this project is that is that is not only allows, but requires us to be continually learning and researching and experimenting with new methods of gardening.

And so, our latest experiment. We have had a lot of difficulty in growing tomatoes. Everyone loves tomatoes but because we are so close to the sea and some of the other conditions here we have not had very much success in growing them.  Josh and Sidwell have constructed a tunnel/greenhouse and we are going to try and grow tomatoes in it through the winter. There is a strawberry farm close by our house. They are growing strawberries and raspberries year round in these tunnels and they export them to Europe. Josh approached the farm and was able to meet with the guy who is in charge of all the tunnels, constructing them and maintaining them. He gave Josh lots of advice on how to construct one and gave us all a tour of the whole farm and some of their used UV protected plastic so we could try our own.

Our thinking is that if we can do this successfully it can be a huge thing that we could implement in the township as well. The Strawberry farm has said that they would be willing to donate more plastic to us if we want to build more. There are a few people in the township who have tremendous talent when it comes to gardening and really enjoy it and we could build small versions of these tunnels and then they could grow and sell tomatoes. It could take their gardening to another level and provide a source of income as well.

So, we will see what happens….

here is the frame of the tunnel

here it is with the plastic stretched over it.

here it is...