The only thing I grow in a high tunnel are my early girl tomatoes. I plant them a month early, and get my first harvest in June rather than July. The photo of the single okra plant inside the hoop house was one taken as a freak storm was approaching. I threw that hoop house together with scraps of sheet metal, black plastic, old vis-queen, and what ever I could find, in an attempt to save this plant's germplasm from the freezing temperatures that were approaching. Unfortunately, high winds that night prevailed, and I lost the battle. Only 5 pods were saved to full maturity. These were distributed among friends at the Department of Agriculture, and a few OSU professors I knew. The dusty ground in that photo will attest to the drought conditions in which that plant prospered. I was only able to water it sparingly, as our well was close to going dry. The photo was taken in October of 2011 after a Summer of record heat. August 2, 2011 reached 115 degrees.

Well Good Afternoon All; I was outside working on a project when the mailman came and delivered a bunch of bills. Thanks alot. Then he stopped on his way back down the street because he had forgotten a box (how many times do you think that goes back to the PO with him?) Anyway, I am humbled by what I received from Jessica. I had mentioned that Shadymeadow sent me a wonderful loose leaf binder with info about her and her part of the world and that I used it to this day. Jessica made me a book!! The book starts off with a detailed description of the plants she sent. They were beautifully packed and traveled well. One even had a flower already, how cool is that? But then she told me about her and where she is from. I am busy reading it and we are getting an electrical storm so I will have to finish this later but I am amazed and embarassed because my box lacked the time and effort "livingdedgirl" put into mine. diene

Good Morning! I opened Sharon's (GMOM)cookbook fun last night!!!!! Love it all Sharon! *Several crochet and handmade pot holders....I think the ones with the birds are pot holders???? I will email you! *Gardening gloves *America's Country Inn Cookbook *Promise Yourself a Good Meal With Optimism Cookbook (Optimist Club) *Fresh Delights Fruits and Vegetables Cookbook *Tropical Blossoms Of The Caribbean...a little book just about specific Caribbean flowers...pics and descriptions! *Sweet and Salty Mix Thanks so very much!!!! Annie

I would think, if ya pounded the legs into the ground before ya lit the fire, it might keep it from falling over, or swaying! Or, if the legs are hollow, some steel rods that will fit into the legs, will help to keep things from swaying. We solved the problem by using a steel grill from a propane grill like the one you use for cooking steaks. Some nice flat rocks for it to set on help too. the best way is to cook on a gasoline stove! Nothing falls down! Rusty