Talked to the Town Building INspector's office about my "structure."

My temporary hoop house is in a murky, grey area of the building code. Very difficult to define what a structure is and what temporary means. I could see that the Town would rather not have to deal with it. I was going to take the hoop house down by the first week in June anyway, but I I was thinking I may want to put it up again for a few weeks in the Fall or for even a couple months in the Spring. I did find out who complained (it's a matter of public record). Unfortunately not someone I really know (a few houses down and across the street), so it might be kind of awkward to just go over there and talk about compromise. I don't want them to feel uncomfortable that I know they complained. However, I think once they see things starting to look nicer with the plantings establishing, they won't be bothered...they really aren't that close that they have to look at it. This did give me pause to think about less offensive options and it occurred to me that I can build a Spring greenhouse in the backyard...there won't be leaves on the trees then, so there should be plentiful sun through just bare branches. It will be a lot more work moving plants to the front plot in June, but if it keeps the neighbors happy, well worth the effort I suppose. Hopefully no one will get upset if I put it up for a few weeks in the Fall (the way our Winters have been arriving early, I'll be lucky to use it in the Fall...we got 7' of snow this past Nov.)

I hope these pop bottles work for the raised bed.

It doesn't look like I got anything done today, but I am once again too tired to make my soup. I filled soda pop bottles with water to start forming the sunward side of the bed. I left room in the bottles so they (hopefully) won't break when they freeze. I think I'm going to have to use at least one more row of pipe so the bottles don't push out when I add dirt. I am also going to have to tie the sides together through the middle...not sure what I'm going to use for that, maybe just a non-rotting rope? You can see I have one support in for the "greenhouse." I was surprised that the conduit pipe would bend enough to form an arch. It's way too high, though (considering this is in the front yard of a neighborhood where people haven't been putting veggie gardens in the front...okay, one person had one, but it is gone now). Still trying to decide what height to cut it down to. I think I'd like to add more height to the bed as swell...the pop bottles are about 6" shorter than I'd like.

Hoping my "not new" celery can last until I get my greenhouse up.

I read about regrowing celery, so I thought I'd give it a try. cut the stalks off and put the bottom in some water. It is growing very nicely, but the butt end is getting a bit slimy in the water. It should be transplanted, but our weather is still rotten and I likely won't have my raised garden bed and greenhouse done for at least a week (maybe two, depending on the wind). I suppose "not new" celery is best done in the summer...but I am looking forward to getting at least "two for one" with this technique through the warm weather.

Full disclosure on recent things I had to buy "new."

I spent way too much time and gas looking for "not new" supplies to build my raised bed garden and greenhouse, so I have started buying new: cinder blocks, conduit pipe (supposed to hold up to the weather exposure better than PVC and was cheaper, too...if anyone knows a reason I should not use this as the framework for my greenhouse, please speak up as I have not purchased it yet) and connectors and plastic sheeting. I'll have to get some "new" topsoildelivered, too, but I'm sue it will be, well, old as dirt. I have landscape fabric I got on clearance last year, so I won't need to buy that.

I also purchased the offspring a new baseball cap (allowed myself "new" gifts), but he did not like the style. It was $3.88. I kept it for myself rather than taking it back as I did need a dark gardening hat for Spring and Fall. I'm sure I'll regret it as it is for the Husky company...so in addition to having the cute logo of the Siberian Husky (the breed of our rescue dog), it says "Husky"...and I am a woman of a certain weight.

Having difficulty finding a "not new" greenhouse.

Since I am turning the side yard into a mini-farm, I need to construct some sort of greenhous-y thing over part of the garden (it's Buffalo, NY, I need extra heat and a longer season to grow some of the plants on my list). Thought I might be able to find some sort of used shell at least, but not having any luck so far. If I were handier, I might be able to construct something out of used windows...I'm guessing my neighbors will be lucky I'm not that handy because it probably wouldn't be pretty.

If I can't find anything, I will hopefully be able to get a least some of the materials "not new" at Buffalo ReStore...thinking pvc pipe frame covered in poly or vinyl will do the trick, but I'll wait a bit longer and see if anything turns up. The greenhouse kit on sale (new) at Big Lots this week said it blocked UV light, ending my temptation to buy it (I'm guessing the plants make use of UV).