Preparing the Farm for Winter
Now that the days are getting colder, everyone at the farm is busy with outdoor autumn chores.
To stay organized during seasonal transitions, we follow a schedule of important tasks from one year to the next. I create very detailed lists of all that needs to be done and go over them with the grounds crew every morning. This week, we put up all the storm doors, covered the air-conditioner pits, and wrapped the exterior shutters around my vegetable greenhouse. And, just in time. We're expecting a lot of cold rain over the next couple days - maybe even a bit of snow.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- I love this greenhouse. Its construction in 2008 was inspired by Eliot Coleman, an expert in four-season farming. It uses minimal artificial heat – in fact, most of its energy comes directly from the sun, and it successfully grows a variety of cold-hardy crops all winter long.
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- The greenhouse is equipped with heavy-duty aluminum vent systems that automatically open and close when needed to allow hot air to escape while simultaneously allowing fresh air into the space.
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- Around this time every year, both the inside and the outside of these units are covered to help insulate the greenhouse.
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- Here, Pete unscrews and removes the exterior shutter.
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- Next, he cuts a piece of weather proofing plastic just a bit larger than the shutter’s dimensions.
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- Then he cuts a pice of burlap the same size as the plastic sheeting.
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- Pete and Fernando wrap the shutter, so the entire front is enveloped in both plastic and burlap.
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- Using jute twine, Pete secures the burlap on the back side of the shutter. Using twine is better than tape, which could mar the shutter and be more difficult to remove come spring.
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- Here is the back of the shutter after the twine is tied tightly securing all the corners and sides of the burlap.
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- Lastly, Pete screws the shutter back onto the damper box.
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- These vents are now insulated from both sides, keeping the cold air out, so the delicious organic vegetables thrive in their temperature and humidity controlled enclosure all winter long.
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- Meanwhile, the crew also winterizes my AC pits. I keep all my air conditioners in large pits, where they are well hidden behind each house. In fall, these pits are cleaned out and covered for the season.
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- They are covered with industrial strength plastic and plywood to protect them from the winter elements.
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- Here is one pit already covered with plastic and plywood. To make the plywood look less unsightly, we then cover the entire surface with burlap.
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- Chhiring unrolls a piece of burlap and cuts it to size, leaving just enough on all four sides to fold over like a hem.
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- Using a staple gun, he folds the edge and staples it to the side of the plywood.
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- Then, strips of wood are used to secure the burlap. The strips are painted my signature “Bedford gray.”
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- This air conditioner pit is now all set for the winter. Covering these pits also makes it easier to maintain. Any snow or debris that falls can be brushed to the side before accessing the units below.
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- And here’s Carlos installing all the storm doors around the farm. Storm doors are framed with wood (like mine) fiberglass or aluminum, and have interchangeable glass and screen panels.
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- Carlos carefully removes the screen door at the entrance to my gym building. With countless doors here at the farm, this chore takes several hours to complete.
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- Here, Carlos secures the glass insert into the door frame. All the screen and storm doors are stored in my basement and are specifically labeled to indicate which door insert belongs in what house and what doorway it fits. When changing inserts, it is also a good idea to clean the frames by wiping them down with a moist towel or rag.
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- Here is the door to my Tenant House – now ready for the cold season ahead. Here in the Northeast, we’re expecting some rain, sleet and possibly even snow before the end of the week. I am glad the farm is ready.
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