On Friday of last week, several individuals including myself, put on our gardening gloves, grabbed our tiller and seeds, and began our spring planting in the high tunnels. For three hours we worked to till under 4 of 6 rows of our winter crops. Additionally, we worked to add one more layer of manure fertilizer to the raised gardening beds. Residents have already began planting in their raised gardening beds, so we wanted to get the plots ready for them!

After successfully growing black Simpson lettuce, kale, broccoli florets, radishes,  beets, arugula, cilantro and more this winter, we decided it was time to start a new rotation of crops. With the help of local farmer Doug Dudley, who let us borrow his tiller, we lined and planted several new rows in our high tunnel. So far, we have planted a row of radishes and two rows of lettuce, and will be planting our carrots and onion sets today!

Pre-tilled rows

Pre-tilled rows

doug

I would love to hear suggestions if people have them, of what we should plant in the remaining rows. Is there anything we could plant in our high tunnel that will put us ahead of others who don’t have access to a high tunnel? In other words, is there something we should grow that we would not be able to plant outside at this time?  Are there crops that would flourish exceptionally well in a high tunnel right now? We have a variety of seeds including eggplants, squashes and zucchinis, tomatos, spinach, etc. and are willing to purchase others if you have ideas!

It is going to be a beautiful week in Williamson (temperatures in the 80s!!) and we are anxious to get the rest of the rows planted!

Jenny Hudson weeds in Second Sun high tunnel

Jenny Hudson weeds in Second Sun high tunnel