My hoop house is standard 1/2 inch PVC pipe and the cover is a sheet of thick plastic sheeting. I bought mine in the paint department of Home Depot and it has lasted about 5 years to date. The hoop house serves a couple of purposes. Firstly, it protects the seedlings from damaging storms and hail. I have lost numerous flats of plants due to heavy rains. Secondly, the plastic is opaque enough that it helps to shade the tender plants. I don’t technically, harden off my plants. I find it incredibly tedious to move plants in and out of the house over the period of  a week or so to acclimatize the plants to the outdoor conditions. Instead I use the hoop house. I can take the sheet completely off during the day for a few hours, gradually increasing the time the are exposed to the light. This will help to prevent the plants becoming sunburned. I also can provide a warm environment on cooler evenings, by pulling the sheet all the way down to the ground.

On a being frugal note, I keep the plastic sheeting tied back by using large binder clips. The 1 inch size, works quite nicely for 1/2 inch pvc and is much cheaper than the “snap clamps” being sold for this purpose. I also make use of heavy rocks and logs to hold the ends down. Quite high tech.

Some photos are included below. I also included a picture of an Iris that is currently blooming along with Horseradish in bloom. Strange enough, the Horseradish blooms are both beautiful as well as pleasantly fragrant. Lastly, the sad looking plants in the 4 inch containers are sunflowers that were dug up from volunteers growing all over the garden. My dad over the past couple of years, has shown me how durable these plants are. They will look horrible for a day or so, but recover very quickly.

My desire to document the progress of the garden always starts out strong and fades. So, the information in the planting list is partial at best. It is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby so I guess I shouldn’t worry about it.

The planting list

Now I am not saying that I needed another orchid, but I just couldn’t resist the opportunity. I only bought six orchids but I must admit that I would have bought 20 if I could imagine a home for them. We just don’t have the space. Well, actually we don’t have the space for the six that I bought. My six orchids cost me a total cost of $12.00 plus tax. I bought new pots for them when I got home and spent $10.00 on the pots and trays. So, for less than $25.00 I have some new friends.

I can’t tell you exactly what makes me like orchids so much. I suppose it is the extreme diversity. I seem to have the same problem with peppers. Here are a couple of pictures of my new little plants. By the way, they looked a lot smaller when I bought them as bare root plants. I was hoping to find a Vanda but they seemed to all be gone by the time I got there. It is probably for the best, they supposedly can get quite large. I would still like to get a Paphiopedilum, a Vanda, a Miltoniopsis and a Brassia or Brassavola. Something to look forward to.

http://www.walgreens.com

• Other staff members being released
• Denied access to his research. It was through his generosity that Seed Savers became the benefactor of those riches. To deny him access to his own life’s work seems unconscionable.
• No comments on the substantial influx of cash

As a member of Seed Savers I sincerely hope that the air clears over the coming months with more forthright information. I do understand the desire to abstain from commenting on some of the details of the departure. Unfortunately, this all too often, provides a veil, for corporations to disclose far too little information. I do appreciate the letter from the board but it seems to fall short on offering a substantial explanation.

Dear Members and Friends of Seed Savers Exchange:

By now some of you have probably received or heard about Kent Whealy’s unfortunate and lengthy letter about the end of his employment with Seed Savers Exchange. SSE acknowledges the resulting confusion and appreciates the expressions of support it has received. Kent’s letter has many inaccuracies, half-truths, and omissions. We cannot and will not comment on everything, as it would not be in the best interests of SSE to publicly reveal, discuss, or debate confidential internal personnel matters. However, the Board wants to correct a few of the most misleading points that were made in Kent’s letter so that you can better understand the history and the Board’s position.

First and foremost, we want to assure you that SSE is in excellent shape and is moving forward to achieve its important mission. SSE retained Phillips Oppenheim Group to conduct a national search for a new President/Executive Director in November 2007. In the interim, there is continuity of leadership at SSE. Diane Ott Whealy (co-founder and Vice President of Education), Aaron Whaley (Vice President of Sales), and Matt Barthel (Vice President of Gardens & Collections) remain in key roles and continue to bring their expertise to SSE. Staff have redoubled their efforts for SSE.

Kent’s letter, by its tone and content, demonstrates that his relationship with the Board had deteriorated beyond repair by the time of his departure. This did not happen overnight, nor was it based on a single incident. The Board’s unanimous decision to terminate Kent’s employment at the end of October 2007 was the culmination of years of fundamental problems with Kent’s performance, management, judgment, and conduct. The Board’s attempts to address and correct these problems with Kent were unsuccessful and matters only worsened. Kent mentions a few of these problems specifically, but provides only part of those stories. Just one of the incidents in this series of problems is the “shed” referenced in Kent’s letter. This is actually a 5000 square foot building that Kent ordered constructed at an estimated cost of $70,000. This was done without Board consideration or approval of the project, despite direction that this was required. This building has not been completed. The $70,000 Kent obtained for it, via a special anonymous donation, was insufficient, and the Board is now considering options and alternatives for the building. In summary, the ultimate decision to terminate Kent’s employment was not without warning; it was not unforeseen, capricious, or malicious. It was difficult and heart-wrenching, but inescapable.