I can’t stand paying $6 for a box of salad greens at the grocery store, especially in the fall and winter when growing them outside seems impossible. Or is it?
I’ve spent hours flipping through magazines, books, and blog posts, fantasizing over photos of Swiss chard thriving in the snow, fresh salad greens being harvested in December, and turnips and kale surviving into January. The possibilities seem endless. I even read about gardeners successfully growing under plastic in Wisconsin—and if it can work in Wisconsin, why not here in Pennsylvania?
For my anniversary, I asked for something unconventional: a high tunnel. Not your typical anniversary gift, but then again, I’m not exactly a typical gift kind of person. I was fully prepared for my husband to say no, but to my surprise, he agreed. By Thanksgiving, we had gathered the supplies, and a few days later, my mini high tunnel was ready. We upcycled a lot of materials, used plenty of duct tape, and had a lot of helping hands along the way. (In case you’re wondering, a high tunnel is essentially an unheated greenhouse that provides protection from the elements while still allowing plants to grow in the soil.)
Now, I proudly stand beside my 20’ by 28’ high tunnel. When I planted my first seeds today, the temperature inside was nearly 100°F—who would have thought I’d be wearing jeans and a tank top in December? I planted kale, turnips, bok choy, lettuce, spinach, and even nasturtiums. If those nasturtiums bloom this winter, I will be the proud owner of some serious bragging rights.
As my project continues, expect more updates, complete with photos, successes, and a few failures. Wish me luck!
