Record of Sowing and Seedbed Tunnel Installation (March 21, 2026)

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 Good afternoon, everyone.

As of now, the Japan Meteorological Agency’s cherry blossom forecast for the Kanto-Koshin region in Reiwa 8 (2026) shows blooming dates of March 16 in Kofu and March 19 in Tokyo. These observations are about 5 to 10 days earlier than in the same period two years ago.

The average bloom dates are around late March for Mito, Utsunomiya, Maebashi, Kumagaya, Choshi, and Yokohama, and early April for Nagano.

The average full bloom period is observed from March 31 to early April, and mid-April in Nagano. Compared to normal years, how will this year’s full bloom turn out? I am looking forward to it.

Today (March 21), a photographer visited the garden and took photos of the work.

Sowing seeds in seedbed CW

Today, I planted A12 Mikamo broccoli (JA seeds Mikamo Broccoli 473, Kiyohara Breeding Farm, Toho Seed Co., Ltd.) in the upper section of seedbed CW, and A1 medium tomato “Frutica” (Takii Seed Co., Ltd.) in the lower section.

I also built tunnels over seedbeds RL (A11 and A9) and CW (A12 and A1), covering two beds with a single tunnel. The materials used were:

1. Dampole flat (2.1m, 20 pieces, 215@20, 4,300, Shinshu Suwa Agricultural Cooperative),
2. Agricultural plastic (0.07mm thickness, 210cm width, 20m length, 3,366@1, Shinshu Suwa Agricultural Cooperative),
3. Agricultural plastic (0.07mm thickness, 210cm width, 10m length, 1,689@1, Shinshu Suwa Agricultural Cooperative),

.

Installing tunnel support poles

First, I placed Dampole stakes at 1.15m intervals across the seedbeds and inserted them into the ground every two positions to form tunnel supports. In some places, stones made it difficult to insert them properly, but I felt excited while working.

Covering with 10m agricultural plastic

First, I used up the 10m agricultural plastic. The wind blowing up from the lower section (compost shed side) interfered with the work, so I secured the edges with nearby soil and fallen stones each time. Within minutes, condensation formed inside the plastic. It felt like the soil was breathing. However, there were still some weeds left inside the tunnel, so I will regularly inspect and remove them.

I then continued the same process and used up the 20m agricultural plastic as well. At that time, stones became valuable resources.

Fixing remaining poles through the plastic sheet

I inserted the remaining standing poles through the covered plastic sheet into the ground to secure it. Even if the plastic were to tear and try to fly away, it would be caught by these upper poles and prevented from blowing off. The work is almost finished.

With this setup, I can get through the rainy season. It also prevents soil from being washed away by rain, which was a major concern. Today’s work was limited to these seedbeds (RL and CW). Similar work will continue next week. I’m looking forward to it.

Well then, that’s it for today!