From the UK I can only say very very inspiring. Having gone to agricultural college and kept allotments ( public land rental plots ) and been a keen gardener most my life. In the process of setting up a market garden. THANK YOU and keep up the good work :)
Your creative pipe bending technique really demonstrates how to achieve something "out of reach" by improvising with whatever you have at the time. "Great Idea"!!!
I am tight on space and have had success with a conduit bender. Portable and allows for as many shapes as I can conceive for my spaces. So far it is a challenge to get the nice smooth arches, but they are functional. I've also gotten height by using emt couplers: rebar stake in the ground, add a 2-3 ft vertical, coupler, the arch. I going to try this winter having 2 layers. The high layer with like a 1 ft vertical, the low layer without the vertical. The 1 layer last year (20 ft bed) got down to 28F at ground level in my 7b zone - Northern New Jersey - spinach survived. Snow quantity is variable. Going to keep a tight spacing - 4 hoops on the 20ft bed. Had only 6" of snow at a time. May add for insurance against a heavier snow 12"+, a perlin line along the ridge, and wood lathe or something for a rib. I did have some cross snap clamps that I might use with the emt for a ridge line.
That would be awesome! Thanks so much. Ian is heading off to work tomorrow for a few weeks, but we will contact you about it when he gets back in town. I don't know if you ended up getting your private garden set up this year, but if you are looking for any perennial veggies I have some babies that you could have. Some rhubarb, good king henry, a few herbs. If they get transplanted soon they should do good for the winter, but I can also hook you up with some stuff next year too. We always have a tonne of raspberry canes in the spring, lol.
The hothouse is now getting into the Eliot Coleman Winter Harvest stuff that scared me off when I first read it because it is a huge cost, but thanks to you Curtis, you showed a way to bring in income and so now it looks doable. This is what you were able to accomplish that Eliot could not. He taught all this stuff, but not how to pay for it via a business at least not that I can remember, so anyway, thanks Curtis.
I love watching your videos man. I just have a back yard garden and I may never do a market garden, but you have so many life lessons and principles through out! Keep it up!
I am so coping you! Here in the south it is so HOT! I have shade cloth on my greens to make the whole thing work. We do not have frost here until mid November. I have lettuce and kale going now, under shade cloth. After the Hurricain, I will put up a moveable green house to do more. The sun is so hot, I want to put up green houses I can take down and store to save it from the horrid heat( store to keep from the sun just turning the plastic to mush.). I have shade cloth on the order I can put up to keep up production. I would go with small poly tunnel before a full blown one. Due to our heat and the hot sun. Shade cloth is more a factor then the other factors. I think we can do a bunch of stuff without heat. My citrus and moringa will need a bit of heat and protection, the nights of frost. They will get what they need. The citrus and Moringa can be covered by plastic and a heater run from my milking parlor to keep them alive to get through the season. It is so rare to have Citrus anymore in the US, since the greening has wiped them out. I have a lime, lemon and a red grapefruit tree. I hope they will survive in Alabama... My greens and other such crops do great. So no worries there.... I am doing a second crop of cucumbers, uncovered and they are starting to produce. I have a second crop of Tomatoes uncovered who are very slow. Will see how they do.
Curtis, I haven't made it through quite all of your videos yet, but do you have one or could you do one this winter about winter crop maintenance/greenhouse or tunnel maintenance... Heating, fans, watering, etc... Just an idea. Thanks for the info!
Matt Reich My poly low tunnel provided a good habitat for rodents. Watering my poly low tunnel was not good. I lost plants bc I did not water them. It was too cold for me to go out and water them. I now have Agrabond covering my tunnel. He's right. In one month my Agrabond 15 has ripped. I do have Agrabond -19, perhaps that'll work better. The poly low tunnels take a lot of vigilance.
I appreciate the reminder to use a principled approach to season extension by selecting your crops wisely and not trying to grow crops completely out of season...but what about aspiring to be the only one at market with green things to eat December thru march in a mid atlantic/southeast US climate? would you advise against relying on season extension and market scarcity as a business strategy?
Hi Curtis, just wondering about the pros and cons of poly low tunnels covering one 30" bed as opposed to two 30" beds, for example: economics vs. flexibility and so on. Thanks.
Initially I do the Curtis way - push 'em in. Now trying pounding in 18" rebar - to have a few inches of bit in the deep ground, and about 6" above ground and slipping the 1/2" emt over them. I think it adds some sturdiness.
Hi Curtis, Great video. Here in Montreal, we have a lot of temporary car shelters that are set up during the winter. But the fabric that makes those shelters has a shorter lifespan than the metal framework that support the fabric. But it's often more economical to buy a whole new shelter than simply replacing the fabric. I'm thinking that it would be possible to get such a frame for cheap. Do you think that putting greenhouse quality poly on such a frame would be a good idea to make a cheaper/easier high tunnel? Thanks for all of the videos! Sincerely, Eric Lacasse
I have a 5-7 year plan to be doing spin farming full time. That being said i am purchasing a house next year in either Minnesota or Texas(2 completely diff climates). I have family in both States so all social stuff aside, anyone have any suggestions on which state would be better to farm in? Two main concerns in both states: soil/heat in Texas and shorter seasons/extreme cold in Minnesota. P.S thank you Curtis for all you do!!! You are doing a great thing!!!
Texas is huge. What part? Here in East TX finding a market is a huge problem. They are about 20 years behind the rest of the country in terms of sustainability/regenerative awareness and value. It's better around Austin. I have lived in both states and would personally pick MN bc of the culture and because I sunburn easily and am not a morning person and working outside, in the sun through the summer here runs down my morale too fast. Stepping out into -20 to shovel snow... to me, that's invigorating... So factor in what will work for you quality of life wise. If you're considering broilers as part of your operation, MN is definitely better. There is no small scale processing exemption here :(
Curtis, I have never heard you say how much warmer the air coming out of your climate battery is say mid winter..... I know soil temp down X number of feet is Y degrees, how much do you think you raise the temp of the dirt under your nursery? do you run the battery fan 24x7x365? thanks jim
Hey Curtis, I would like to see that bell curve with a comparison profit levels overlaid.. Since profits are higher due to shortages at the beginning and end right?
Hello. Curtis I was watching a video from Justin Rhodes. He did a farm tour with you some days ago.I heard you briefly mention that your home is solar powered can you do a video on that?
Myers Mushrooms I have all the gear I need to work my acre. I grow tons of food, but my timing, planning, and overall strategy needs serious work. That paper pot transplanter is tempting though.
The white beams in the nursery look awsome!
From the UK I can only say very very inspiring. Having gone to agricultural college and kept allotments ( public land rental plots ) and been a keen gardener most my life. In the process of setting up a market garden. THANK YOU and keep up the good work :)
oliver smith ua-cam.com/video/C3qoVN-XnIM/v-deo.html
Your creative pipe bending technique really demonstrates how to achieve something "out of reach" by improvising with whatever you have at the time. "Great Idea"!!!
THat's what farming is all about.
I am tight on space and have had success with a conduit bender. Portable and allows for as many shapes as I can conceive for my spaces. So far it is a challenge to get the nice smooth arches, but they are functional.
I've also gotten height by using emt couplers: rebar stake in the ground, add a 2-3 ft vertical, coupler, the arch.
I going to try this winter having 2 layers. The high layer with like a 1 ft vertical, the low layer without the vertical.
The 1 layer last year (20 ft bed) got down to 28F at ground level in my 7b zone - Northern New Jersey - spinach survived.
Snow quantity is variable. Going to keep a tight spacing - 4 hoops on the 20ft bed. Had only 6" of snow at a time. May add for insurance against a heavier snow 12"+, a perlin line along the ridge, and wood lathe or something for a rib. I did have some cross snap clamps that I might use with the emt for a ridge line.
We want to try something over a bed of greens this fall/winter, so this is perfect to help us decide what to do!
I'd be happy to lend you guys some of my low tunnel hoops. I have way more than I need.
That would be awesome! Thanks so much. Ian is heading off to work tomorrow for a few weeks, but we will contact you about it when he gets back in town.
I don't know if you ended up getting your private garden set up this year, but if you are looking for any perennial veggies I have some babies that you could have. Some rhubarb, good king henry, a few herbs. If they get transplanted soon they should do good for the winter, but I can also hook you up with some stuff next year too. We always have a tonne of raspberry canes in the spring, lol.
The hothouse is now getting into the Eliot Coleman Winter Harvest stuff that scared me off when I first read it because it is a huge cost, but thanks to you Curtis, you showed a way to bring in income and so now it looks doable. This is what you were able to accomplish that Eliot could not. He taught all this stuff, but not how to pay for it via a business at least not that I can remember, so anyway, thanks Curtis.
I love watching your videos man. I just have a back yard garden and I may never do a market garden, but you have so many life lessons and principles through out! Keep it up!
Appreciate the mention of shade cloth for hotter areas. Have ideas buzzing in my head now...
Great video.
Thank you for all of your valuable videos!
Awesome info. Thank you!
Solid stuff. Cheers!
Awesome video man! Solid stuff 👍
fantastic information and advice on extending your season !! thanks for sharing
I have added weather of Kelowna to my phone as well. I live in Sydney - Australia
Great video man!! Thanks for your efforts!
I am so coping you! Here in the south it is so HOT! I have shade cloth on my greens to make the whole thing work. We do not have frost here until mid November. I have lettuce and kale going now, under shade cloth. After the Hurricain, I will put up a moveable green house to do more. The sun is so hot, I want to put up green houses I can take down and store to save it from the horrid heat( store to keep from the sun just turning the plastic to mush.). I have shade cloth on the order I can put up to keep up production. I would go with small poly tunnel before a full blown one. Due to our heat and the hot sun. Shade cloth is more a factor then the other factors. I think we can do a bunch of stuff without heat. My citrus and moringa will need a bit of heat and protection, the nights of frost. They will get what they need. The citrus and Moringa can be covered by plastic and a heater run from my milking parlor to keep them alive to get through the season. It is so rare to have Citrus anymore in the US, since the greening has wiped them out. I have a lime, lemon and a red grapefruit tree. I hope they will survive in Alabama... My greens and other such crops do great. So no worries there.... I am doing a second crop of cucumbers, uncovered and they are starting to produce. I have a second crop of Tomatoes uncovered who are very slow. Will see how they do.
Curtis, I haven't made it through quite all of your videos yet, but do you have one or could you do one this winter about winter crop maintenance/greenhouse or tunnel maintenance... Heating, fans, watering, etc... Just an idea. Thanks for the info!
Matt Reich My poly low tunnel provided a good habitat for rodents. Watering my poly low tunnel was not good. I lost plants bc I did not water them. It was too cold for me to go out and water them. I now have Agrabond covering my tunnel. He's right. In one month my Agrabond 15 has ripped. I do have Agrabond -19, perhaps that'll work better. The poly low tunnels take a lot of vigilance.
I appreciate the reminder to use a principled approach to season extension by selecting your crops wisely and not trying to grow crops completely out of season...but what about aspiring to be the only one at market with green things to eat December thru march in a mid atlantic/southeast US climate? would you advise against relying on season extension and market scarcity as a business strategy?
Hi Curtis, just wondering about the pros and cons of poly low tunnels covering one 30" bed as opposed to two 30" beds, for example: economics vs. flexibility and so on. Thanks.
You r just good. What r yhe summer and winter crops to grow and harvest fast. Thx
LOVE THIS TOPIC! How do the hoops get attached to the ground?
Hammer or push them in
Initially I do the Curtis way - push 'em in. Now trying pounding in 18" rebar - to have a few inches of bit in the deep ground, and about 6" above ground and slipping the 1/2" emt over them. I think it adds some sturdiness.
Hi Curtis,
Great video.
Here in Montreal, we have a lot of temporary car shelters that are set up during the winter. But the fabric that makes those shelters has a shorter lifespan than the metal framework that support the fabric. But it's often more economical to buy a whole new shelter than simply replacing the fabric. I'm thinking that it would be possible to get such a frame for cheap. Do you think that putting greenhouse quality poly on such a frame would be a good idea to make a cheaper/easier high tunnel?
Thanks for all of the videos!
Sincerely,
Eric Lacasse
Eric Lacasse ua-cam.com/video/C3qoVN-XnIM/v-deo.html
I have a 5-7 year plan to be doing spin farming full time. That being said i am purchasing a house next year in either Minnesota or Texas(2 completely diff climates). I have family in both States so all social stuff aside, anyone have any suggestions on which state would be better to farm in? Two main concerns in both states: soil/heat in Texas and shorter seasons/extreme cold in Minnesota. P.S thank you Curtis for all you do!!! You are doing a great thing!!!
Texas is huge. What part? Here in East TX finding a market is a huge problem. They are about 20 years behind the rest of the country in terms of sustainability/regenerative awareness and value. It's better around Austin. I have lived in both states and would personally pick MN bc of the culture and because I sunburn easily and am not a morning person and working outside, in the sun through the summer here runs down my morale too fast. Stepping out into -20 to shovel snow... to me, that's invigorating... So factor in what will work for you quality of life wise. If you're considering broilers as part of your operation, MN is definitely better. There is no small scale processing exemption here :(
can't forget about those custom welds!
Curtis, I have never heard you say how much warmer the air coming out of your climate battery is say mid winter..... I know soil temp down X number of feet is Y degrees, how much do you think you raise the temp of the dirt under your nursery? do you run the battery fan 24x7x365? thanks jim
Hey Curtis, I would like to see that bell curve with a comparison profit levels overlaid.. Since profits are higher due to shortages at the beginning and end right?
Hello. Curtis I was watching a video from Justin Rhodes. He did a farm tour with you some days ago.I heard you briefly mention that your home is solar powered can you do a video on that?
I have. Search for "solar" in my channel.
I know you’ve said your house is on solar, do you power everything on the farm with solar or grid power?
tell us about insects and acaroses fungus control with organic
All the music you add in the videos - is that yours? What kind of music did you play?
Still waiting for part 2 of your story by the way....
Have you ever consider Rocket heater for the coldest part of the year. You have people there everyday anyway. It's cheaper than using electricity.
Oh yes. Many times. Doesn't make sense for us. Too much work.
Does polyface use PVCs ? I assume it does ?
I'm starting to feel guilty consuming all of this valuable information for free. Time to buy all of your books.
Myers Mushrooms I have all the gear I need to work my acre. I grow tons of food, but my timing, planning, and overall strategy needs serious work. That paper pot transplanter is tempting though.