This is New Years Eve weekend, for me the weekend is filled with clearing away the clutter from 2011, preparing for the new year. One thing I love to do on this weekend is review my garden plans on paper, rotate plantings as needed, then start preparing a planting schedule.

I have completed this task many times, at this point things have become routine. I could take a plan from years past and just reuse it, but I won’t..  I wouldn’t want to miss the fun of dreaming of spring… Last year the gardening season fell somewhat flat due to weather, this year I want an advantage, or two,  in my favor.. Gardeners are always looking for that little edge, something to expand the season on one end or another.

So, after months of hinting, I find myself shopping for myself, FOR WHAT, you ask?

Why, the perfect home lighting system of course, or at least for my needs at least. I have a makeshift home unit made with a bakers rack and shop light, it does okay, but I need more power!!  My “do it yourself” home unit only has one shelf and the two bulbs (I know, stop laughing at me okay) are in desperate need for a change. The plants underneath are green but not exactly flourishing, the geraniums, however, are in bloom.

Below is the unit I found, it is three tiered, so multiple heights can be accommodated, but not so wide as to make finding a home a burden.  The best place for the grow system would be where we spend some time; so we get emotional benefits as well.

3 Tier SunLite® Garden rack (Via Gardeners Supply)

For years I have been coveting the various light systems at Gardeners Supply.  I have had many chances to check them all out, often we find ourselves enjoying the winter’s sun inside the local greenhouse at Gardeners Supply Outlet shop.

When the 2010′s hinting didn’t bring the growing system, I promised myself ~ that by the end of 2011, I would have a proper lighting system to start 2012.  Seriously, I am very excited….  It’s a sickness I swear, oh yeah, I’m a little flu like right now, so it’s slight delirium, please excuse the babble..   hmm where were we…

Today I found myself drawn to the Gardeners Supply website once again, this time I treated myself, now this will be mine.  Soon I can enjoy the winter blooms plus the light will help boost our spirits during the long dark months. Our porch now serves as the perfect place to grow winter lettuces and scallions, as long as they are far enough along. This is my first advantage, to give my plants a strong head start, harden them off in the sun porch then plant them outside in the hoop house.

Honestly, I am giddy with excitement, as one would expect.

Not only will I have the advantage of little plantings, (weee,)  ahead of schedule, I will also place my hoop house back in service. I stumbled upon a site that has this great fabric cover,  I found it on VeggieCare.com.  I like the solid plastic cover for the very early spring months but I have a bit of a micro-climate in my garden plot. My location gets really warm very early on, what I really need was shade cloth. This woven fabric lets in light, water and circulates air, with an added benefit of keeping large bugs out.  Opening the front during the day would let in much needed bees, the ends could be closed during a cool evening.

VeggieCare Floating Row Cover

I can see the benefits of this product and really am excited to try it out.  According to the VeggieCare.com site they claim that their fabric will be able to:

• promote healthy natural growth in your plants and seedlings;
• allow ventilation and rain penetration;
• allow through 86% (GrowCover) or 81% (GrowCover HD) of sunlight;
• help retain moisture in the soil and warm the soil in spring for early sowing;
• protect from frost down to 25 ^o F;
• help reduce insect attack;
• protect plants from strong winds, heavy rain and hail;
• protect from pets and young children;  (like my marauding dog, who loves my peas!)
• be easy to handle as it is light and strong and will last many years, it is UV resistant;
• be able to grow vegetables without using pesticides making your family’s vegetables healthier to eat;
• help reduce food miles and benefit the environment.

I haven’t order this as of yet, I would love to find a source for a like product here in the states. If any of my readers are aware of this mesh row cover being offered please drop me a note..  I would seriously appreciate it..

From my house to yours, have a happy and healthy 2012.

(now lets get growing)