By Mary Lowther
The new greenhouse and potting shed is complete, but as yet unfurnished. We need a new standalone, moveable seed table. Our old one is worn out, so this is the ideal time for David to build one that implements some improvements I’ll be telling him about soon.
“Standalone” means it must be sturdy enough to support the weight of soil, seedlings and lights; “moveable” implies light enough to lift. We’ll see how David works that out, but the supporting frame should be at the corners to allow easy access to the flats when the time comes to move or water them. The shelves need to be solid enough to support a light fixture while preventing water above from dripping through to the fixture below.
An easily moved screen to keep the predatory insects away would be nice at the front, possibly along the lines of screen windows for quick removal. Since David despises micromanagement I will leave the choice between hinges and toggles to the working craftsman, as long as it works. Besides, I have to decide on insulation. I wrapped the last one in quilts, but there may be something better to keep in the heat.
Now that it’s mid-January I’ll start the greens: spinach, lettuce, herbs and hopefully by the time it’s warm enough to transplant them outside, I’ll be able to sow radishes, carrots and turnips.
After my experiences last year I will also set up mouse traps and plug in the supersonic mouse deterrent to prevent predators from noshing on my seedlings. Once the weather’s better and the seedlings need hardening off I’ll move them outside for a few hours each day and cover the flats with spun cloth cover to keep out bugs and mice.
Please contact mary_lowther@yahoo.ca with questions and suggestions since I need all the help I can get.
