Measure Twice, Order Once

This is our new thermometer. It is destined, in all likelihood, to measure something between 20 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the next six months.

Still, today is the solstice, so the sun is coming back. This is the darkest day of the year. 

In theory, Kiki wanted the new thermometer to be installed out by the Steepmeadow sign at the edge of the deck. Unfortunately, it turned out to be only 6" across, and thus unreadable at that distance. As a consequence, we've mounted it to the kitchen window. Be warned: it is extremely important to read the specs on something like this before clicking the "order now" button.

The only fly in this ointment is that near the house on our deck is a special micro-climate. It faces southwest, and it is protected from a lot of wind. Yesterday, the air temperature reached just over 40 degrees, but because of the thermometer's position in the sun, it read 62. 

It will be interesting to see how hot that area gets in the summer. The plan right now is to attempt to grow peppers in containers there, as they were extremely slow to grow in the garden, even with a head start from March under lights, and planted in one of the sunniest areas. We shall see whether some heat can speed them up.

To the light!