Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 29 Entries. Sunday, March 1 View Page Here we go! Yesterday was -20 but today was only -5 C so I was more motivated to put out the shacks. This is the melon patch and there is a lot of snow. Sunday, March 1 View Page The shop patch. That's the first shack I made. It was just a prototype made from old plywood. Saturday, March 14 View Page Shop patch. Plugged the heat cable in. This patch is on the south side of a shop wall and melts fairly fast. Today it's -16 C so it's not quite melting. Saturday, March 14 View Page Inside of shop patch shack. Looked like there was hope but tonight it's -22 C. Saturday, March 14 View Page Ran a cord to the melon shack. It's sitting on icy snow. It's hard enough to walk on but I did fall through to about my knee. At -16 nothing much is happening. Saturday, March 14 View Page Inside of melon shack. Thursday, March 19 View Page Put new drip lines in. Usually put the plastic down in the fall but I'm way behind and just put it in now. It's clear for warming. Not sure if I'll put the green irt down until I test the new foggers. Thursday, March 19 View Page Soil cable in and working. Now just need to put the shack in the shack. It's been 10�C outside the last few days but it's going back to -14 soon. Spring was good while it lasted. Thursday, March 19 View Page Shop patch shack. Soil warmed enough I can put the thermostat and probe in. Winning. Thursday, March 19 View Page The melon shack cable warmed up enough soil that I could install the probe and thermostat. Still have 16" of snow in the rest of the patch. Just need some warm weather. Friday, March 20 View Page The soil cable location is very visible Friday, March 20 View Page Good to go. Soil 24, air 20 Friday, March 20 View Page Since it's snowing again I'll add some insulation to the shop patch shack. It worksish. Friday, March 20 View Page Hmmm. Friday, March 20 View Page Ok I guess. Saturday, March 21 View Page I remembered to grab some drywall gypsum to mix into my seed starter mix. Because I hope to start seeds one day. Saturday, March 21 View Page Melon shack melting inside. Outside , not so much. Monday, March 23 View Page Added the heater to the melon shack. It's going to take a little fine tuning. Monday, March 23 View Page Shop Patch heater is in. I think the warm soil kept it a degree or two warmer than outside. Monday, March 23 View Page The shack in the greenhouse might need the temperature tweaked up but it's pretty close. No Auto opener installed yet. That is why the temp spikes a little during the day. Monday, March 23 View Page The weather is doing its best to work me over but living here I know that eventually the sun god will prevail. Going to set the germination chamber up. Tuesday, March 24 View Page Seems silly during another snow day but it's time to start seeds. Wednesday, March 25 View Page If (when)my seeds germinate and it's still cold I'll stick the pots in a cooler with a bottle of hot water. I'll take the cooler with pot into the little shack along with my shovel. Close the lid and plant. I've done it before. In a few weeks it could be 30�C. Snowing hard now... Sunday, March 29 View Page These seeds I didn't need to peak at. 198.5 Crews (202.5 Crews x self) However the chosen one is coming up with the seed. I piled some dirt around it and stuck it under the light. Sunday, March 29 View Page Pile of soil seems to be working. Tuesday, March 31 View Page 198.5 Crews watermelon planted March 24 Tuesday, March 31 View Page 198.5 Crews watermelon planted March 24 Tuesday, March 31 View Page 2462 Paton looks good so far! I took them out of the germination chamber an early. Slowed them down a little on purpose. Outside world isn't cooperating weather wise. Supposed to be above freezing during the day by the weekend. The timing should be ok. Tuesday, March 31 View Page 2641 Paton looks promising!