21/43°F, mostly sunny, SE 10 mph wind
It was another cold night but I think I’m actually getting used to it. I’m going to tweak things in my camper for next winter that should solve or at least help with the cold drafts but I can honestly say this winter, although colder, and snowier than normal hasn’t been as bad as I thought it might be.
Sure, there are times I have no running water. But I’ve learned to deal with that and it’s not so bad.
And there were times I had to potty in bags because my black tank was frozen. But I learned to deal with that too. An inconvenience but doable.
I still have plenty of conveniences. For now. When shtf that may change. But I will adapt as needed.
Looking forward at the forecast gives me hope that the worst of the winter weather is almost done with and I may be able to put my asparagus seedlings in the greenhouse next week without any trouble.
And that I should be able to start planting onion sets out. And things like “miner’s lettuce” that doesn’t mind a cold start.
That will give me room inside to start a few peppers. Hots and Sweets.
My pod people may be wondering why I have these things on the new trees. So I will explain them. Normally I would just use white paint on the trunks. But I found the paint more expensive and I would have had to buy way more than I needed. And I think these may help keep the voles from chewing the bark too. But it’s important to shade/protect the trunks of fruit trees. Sun and frost can cause issues that invite fungus and insect attacks. Painting it white helps reflect some of that temperature extreme caused by the sun and wind. I used to do this all the time in California, and the few trees I had in Indiana as well with perfect results. I foolishly thought I wouldn’t need to do so in Washington at the farm when I planted the orchards. But that led to issues and seeping wounds on cherries, peaches, etc. The apples seemed ok. But others definitely had issues I’d never encountered when I painted trunks. And voles. Don’t let me get started one the very destructive little voles that seem to be very prolific in Washington.
The pod folks had planted a couple young cherries before I arrived here. But that hadn’t known to protect the trunks. So they were lost to weeping wounds and fungal attacks on the trunks. I have replaced them for them and have the trunks protected.
So my advice is to do the same. just remember to repaint yearly or to loosen any other kind of trunk protector as they grow.
Climate Wary Homesteader 