Plant-a-palooza

 

We had great success at Plant-a-palooza 2010!!  A wonderful group of friends and family joined us and we got all 2500 rhizomes in the ground before 3pm.  The weather was bright sun and warmth.  Now we have the nervous time of waiting until the plants come up.  Thanks to all who came out!!!

Let is snow!!!!

Yeah, this blog has been quiet for quite some time. I've been busy. The title of this post is "Let it snow" because I'm pretty sure the beautiful Indian summer the Michigan has been having has been a blessing from God while I finish up the trellis. Well let the snow fly, God, 'cuz I'm done!! Here are a few pics of this accomplishment.

The F.R.O.G. owners after finishing planting all the poles.

Couldn't have done it without Bo.

Foggy morning shot

Stringing the cable on the last endpole.

From the top of the tallest pole

See.... They're all kinda straight

Finished Hopyard!!!

Thanks go out to all those who helped: my father for original design and surveying, David and Kristen, for coming up for a cold, busy weekend of dragging poles and putting together hardware, Brian and Tom for physical, mental, and intellectual help, and especially Cindy and Bo for watching the youngest F.R.O.G. and doing the heavy stuff for many weekends. Also, thanks to Sarah for understanding why every time she came home I disappeared into the back fields. You can have your husband back now.

How did we put them up you ask??

Building the trellis

Well construction got underway this weekend. Bo and Cindy came up as well as David and Kristen. My two buddies Brian and Tom came over to help too. The first day we got rained on and snowed on, but things went pretty well. We had a slight delay when we broke some cotter pins. Day two started great the morning was sunny and things worked great at the bottom of the hill. At the top of the hill Bo and I dug two holes and broke the auger bit. I'm currently on broken auger delay. We have some good rocks left at the top of the hill from a glacier. The good rocks aren't so good for the auger. We currently have 45 poles in the ground and a new auger is on its way.

Management gave directions
Bo was often confused

That way!!

Dave did the philosophizing... and the pole dragging.

Don't worry, they need to be straightened yet.

Here We Go!!!

Today starts construction on the biggest trellis I've ever built. I've built 4 footers and a 6 footer. I even built what could be considered a 10 footer, but this is my first 2 acre.. er. I got poles.

and helpers

Now comes the sweat equity.

We are finally getting underway. With all the delays and changes I was beginning to get discouraged. Now things are lookin' up. Thanks to the engineering expertise of my dad, the fields are ready to begin trellis construction. And just in time too, because the poles are almost in Michigan as I type. They will be here this afternoon.

The paperwork came back today as well to make us an official LLC. We are Fresh Roots Organic Growers, LLC. Now we need to start working on a logo. Opinions on logo design are welcome.

The fields are laid out. My father came this weekend and we spent a day measuring and mowing the rows that the hops will be planted in. It sounds easy, but there was two acres to do and some heafty sumac and other small trees to get out of our way. On Wednesday I'm renting a tiller and then the fields are ready for poles. Good thing too, since they are showing up on Thursday!!! It's been a long wait, but the shippers gave me confirmation. We are now accepting workers for the assembly of the trellis.