So we made it through the winter without heating.At one point went 3 weeks with water frozen with 3 inches ice,and air pump non functioning as bubbler froze.The beds were frozen solid.
2 radish,a kale,a cilantro,a watercress,a chive,7 celery,all survived the winter.The worms survived.The fish, 75% made it.
So a LOT was learned.
1 problem I have is not enough nutrient from my small fish,about 15 of them.So I have bought 3,3 inch Koi for 28 dollars and just added them.
Went to hydro store for advice.Guy says almost all hydro chems will kill the fish.What are you doing? Said salads,lettuce,tomatoes...He says gotcha covered,seaweed extract!Bought a gallon for 29 dollars.It pours out like,and looks like,molasses.Put 1 tsp per gallon,or 24 ounces for my tank.It turned water black,but fish ok,but They arent coming up to feed yet,a few days.May put a light on to attract them,and will next time only use extract at 50%.
Also the extract makes an excellent foliar feeder,and my plants that needed it,like radish,have greened right up,and it kicked the old kale into overdrive,also the brussels sprout plant.Woke them right up.
I planted,in one bed,now about 35 plants.2 six packs of different Kales,2 sixers of assorted red and green lettuce,4 heirloom varieties of tomatoes.Have the 7 celery in their too.
The pic doesnt do it justice,there is no scale to show the plants sizes.
So thats the start,Im getting a 60 day jump hopefully on the season up here,barring a devastating frost,a light frost probable,hoping not a serious one.
The seaweed...Along with elephant garlic in hoophouse,none have come up outside yet,and chickens got those last year,so may get our first success with these.
The first almost filled bed
