Author Archives: Sandy

Grape pruning, bees, and an essential gardening tool

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Sandy

Grapes need a good pruning each year. They produce more grapes when properly pruned. While there are different methods for pruning grapes, I keep grape pruning pretty simple. I focus on a number of “lead” vines and hack pretty much … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Potatoes & raspberries

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Sandy

It was a stunningly beautiful weekend so, of course, I did venture forth into the garden to do some gardening. I decided to pace myself and do just a few of the many tasks on my to-do list this weekend. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Anatomy of a solar panel installation

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Sandy

As some of you may have gathered by the We’ve Got the Power post by Sandy, we have finally taken the plunge into solar power / photovoltaic (PV) generation.  We have been wanting to install a PV array on our … Continue reading →

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We’ve got the power (solar that is)

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Sandy

After a speedy and flawless solar installation from Puget Sound Solar, we’ve been waiting for Puget Sound Energy to install our new meters in order to officially turn the system on and begin net metering. Well, today was the day! … Continue reading →

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Photo album: Plum blossoms, peas, garlic, blueberries, and rhubarb

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Sandy

Our Shiro plum tree is our more prolific and reliable tree. The tree is about 7 – 8 years old now and produces heaps of super juicy yellow plums each year. What you see in the picture is the “after” … Continue reading →

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And back in the greenhouse . . .

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Sandy

The solar project has been the big exciting project of recent weeks, but it’s not the only project underway. In another effort to defeat moles and rats, we’ve decided to install a cement block floor in the greenhouse. Over the … Continue reading →

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Solar panel installation

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Sandy

It’s been an exciting week! The Puget Sound Solar crew arrived and installed all of our Silicon Energy panels. These panels are made in Washington state and qualify for the highest energy incentives. Above, you can see 33 of our … Continue reading →

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Final solar panel layout

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Sandy

After our final site inspection and some back and forth over a few different layout options, we settled on a 45-panel installation. The Puget Sound Solar installation crew arrives tomorrow. Yay! Update: System has been installed! See the installed system … Continue reading →

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Tomato seedlings

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Sandy

Unlike years past, my tomato seedlings are doing great this year! In the photo, you can see the tomato seedlings I just repotted. I lifted the lights up away from the plants just to take the photo. Normally, the lights … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Solar | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Goin’ solar

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Sandy

After years of talking about it, we’re finally going solar. Over the coming weeks, we will be working with Puget Sound Solar to install a 49 panel Silicon Energy system. The panels and transformers are made in Washington and qualify … Continue reading →

Posted in Solar | Tagged | 3 Comments