Scenes from Pre-Thanksgiving

tom turkey  

brining turkeyturkey stock

rolling rolls

looking at doughfinished rolls

sharpening knife with dogmaking cocktailsthanksgiving menu

finished turkey

 

1. live turkey from a local farmer, the only way I could source a heritage breed a week before the normal turkey day 2. brining the turkey 3. jiggly gelatinous turkey foot stock 4. rolling homemade yeast rolls 5. Lil calculating dough ball weight 6. baked rolls 7. knife sharpening observed by a springer spaniel 8. making cocktails 9. Lil and her Thanksgiving menus 10. the roasted bird

We're traveling to Saint Louis later this week to meet a new nephew so we had an early Thanksgiving meal with other family this weekend. Everything was made from scratch, many ingredients were locally sourced, and we enjoyed great company alongside the food.

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Scenes from Pre-Thanksgiving

tom turkey  

brining turkeyturkey stock

rolling rolls

looking at doughfinished rolls

sharpening knife with dogmaking cocktailsthanksgiving menu

finished turkey

 

1. live turkey from a local farmer, the only way I could source a heritage breed a week before the normal turkey day 2. brining the turkey 3. jiggly gelatinous turkey foot stock 4. rolling homemade yeast rolls 5. Lil calculating dough ball weight 6. baked rolls 7. knife sharpening observed by a springer spaniel 8. making cocktails 9. Lil and her Thanksgiving menus 10. the roasted bird

We're traveling to Saint Louis later this week to meet a new nephew so we had an early Thanksgiving meal with other family this weekend. Everything was made from scratch, many ingredients were locally sourced, and we enjoyed great company alongside the food.

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

How We Built A Hoop House

DIY backyard hoop house

What do you get when you combine 500 square feet of UV-resistant plastic, twenty four intrepid individuals and twenty hours of work in the cold? An unheated, season-extending plant paradise otherwise known as a hoop house!

We built our hoop house as a workshop under the expert guidance of Joseph Swain, farmer at Swainway Urban Farm, and building assistance from Gerry Fiegelist, co-owner of City Folks Farm Shop. We chose to purchase a 10x20 foot EZ Build & Gro cold frame kit from Growers Supply for the materials.

setting posts for hoop house

Joseph and Gerry started the process with me by selecting a site. A hoop house does it's job best with the long sides running East-to-West  to take advantage of winter southern exposure. We chose a site away from overhanging branches that could fall and create holes in the plastic. Our hoop house is relatively close to the house and (future) rain barrels to facilitate watering and daily care.

We proceeded to spend nearly two hours setting the post bases. We measured the distance between corners and then adjusted to get them square. We used the 3-4-5 method to square each corner and measured distance between corners again. We moved the stakes over and over, measured diagonals, and moved stakes again. Finally, we felt everything was square and it was time to pound in the metal posts, leveling between each.

setting hoops into posts for hoop house

The following Sunday, twenty people joined our team to learn and help build the hoop house. We fit together metal hoops and arranged them near the posts. Following the Growers Supply directions, we mounted the hoops and then the purline with provided self-tapping screws. We built base boards and side supports from untreated pine lumber and attached these with u-bolts to the hoops.

Next, the team attached u-channel to the side supports and end hoops. The insulating plastic is held in the u-channel with 'wiggle wires', wavy-shaped metal that can be removed should the plastic need to be adjusted or replaced. We wrapped up the workshop portion of the build around this time so people could go home and warm up from the chilly day.

2013-03-004

Gerry and Alex stayed on to build a door frame in one end from more pine lumber. We called it a day because with windy conditions and heavy snow predicted, we didn't want to fuss with the plastic.

installing door on hoop house

A week later, weather was right to build the last end of framing. Alex installed the door and built a simple frame for the opposite end.

Finally it was time to cover everything with plastic. Far from an easy task, this required the full attention of Alex, Lil, and I. A lucky gust of wind lifted the plastic at just the right moment and frantic placement of logs held it in place while we pressed the wiggle wire into the first end channels. We pulled plastic and adjusted wiggle wires until the hoop house was fully enclosed.

sun shining on hoop house

Hoop House Construction Lessons Learned

  • The kit from GrowersSupply.com was complete and ultimately saved money over sourcing items separately. We are very pleased with the quality of the materials and the thorough instruction booklet.
  • The downside is that the kit has to be delivered by freight truck. They gave us a delivery date but no time and of course showed up when I had run out so Alex had to unload by himself.
  • Screwing the self-tapping screws through metal is shoulder-wrenching work. I could not have done it and am so thankful for Gerry, Alex, and others who took on the task. In hindsight, it might have been a better idea to drill pilot holes.
  • The lengthiest part of the process was measuring and setting the post bases but ultimately that made the rest of the build go together smoothly. Don't skimp on this step.
  • Holding a workshop where people pay to help build sounds like a great idea. Indeed, our portion of the registration fee did offset some of the cost of the materials and it was fun to meet interested local gardeners. We are thankful for everyone who came out to learn and help. But communicating, cleaning, arranging furniture, cooking lunch, and cleaning up after the participants increased our workload many times over. Because the date was set for months, we had to build on a less-than-ideal weather day which slowed the build and restricted many participants. All things considered we might offer a build again recognizing that hosting requires a large outlay of time and energy in exchange for the income of workshop fees.

Next week I'll share how we set up the inside and plan to use the hoop house.

 

Franklin Park Conservatory Farmers' Market

franklin park farmers' market There's a new farmers' market in town at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Franklin Park Farmers' Market manager Leslie Markworth shared that "The Conservatory has been teaching people about the benefits of growing their own food since 2000 with the start of its now nationally known community gardening program Growing to Green. In 2009, the Conservatory opened its four-acre ScottsMiracle-Gro Community Garden Campus, a living classroom and community resource for anyone interested in gardening and edible landscapes. In 2010, the Conservatory expanded its nutrition outreach efforts and began offering on-site culinary and nutrition classes. The Farmers’ Market was the natural next step in the Conservatory’s educational outreach efforts, while ultimately increasing access to fresh, local food."

Open Wednesdays through October 17, 2012 from 3-7 pm, Lil and I shopped on opening week in early June. The market is located on a shady path in front of the Conservatory building just off Broad street. Ample free parking is available along the entrance drive and in lots. Guests can find restrooms and a water fountain on the Lower Atrium level of the Conservatory, admission not required. sugar snap peas from natural grower

The vendor selection is small but well curated with ample fruit and vegetable, flower, baked goods, and handmade products stands and grains from Shagbark Mill. The Conservatory hosts a booth with information about their classes, events, and weekly raffle; on the day we were there, Lil was thrilled to pick up a mini-greenhouse. Food carts and trucks visit each week to provide guests with meal options too.

franklin park info stand

Though we were leaving for vacation the next day, Lil and I couldn't help but pick up the first blueberries of the season and a Soodles Bake Shop cake pop.

soodles and co gluten free

Shoppers would be remiss not to wander the gardens during their visit to the market. Benches are scattered throughout for visitors to rest and enjoy their purchases.

Upcoming Events: Weekly: Spend $5 at a featured vendor and receive a coupon for free admission to the Conservatory June 27th: *The Very Hungry Caterpillar visits the Conservatory’s Grand Atrium, 3-5 pm July 4th: RMT Songs of America, 4 pm July 18th: Flavors of the Harvest - sample recipes from the harvests at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Community Garden Campus. *Inside the Conservatory, admission required. All other events free.

franklin park tents along broad streetIf you go:

  • Bring cash, as most vendors do not accept other forms of payment.
  • Plan to stay awhile to enjoy the entertainment, gardens, and food trucks.
  • Carry a reusable bag to bring home your goods; consider a cooler in the car if you are travelling far.
  • Read my article on how to Shop The Farmers' Market Like A Pro for my complete list of tips.

Franklin Park Conservatory Farmers' Market Wednesdays 3-7 pm through October 17 Conservatory Drive just off 1777 Broad St. Columbus OH 43203 Weekly details on Facebook and the Farmers' Market web page