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Planting Schedule, Crop Results and Analysis for

Mars Base Zero, Winter of 2000

The following table is the planting schedule, with comments and results.

Date

Planted in Squares*

Meters squared planted

What planted

Comments

Final results

11/8/99

D-4

1

3 potatoes

Checked on 11/20: not germinated.  (Probably still in senescence.) Finally germinated in January

Killed by aphids

11/15/99

C-5

1

Wheat

Damaged by frost

Very low productivity due to freezing

11/24/99

C-9,13

2

Wheat

Damaged by frost

Very low productivity due to freezing

11/24/99

B-12,16

2

4 potatoes

Germinated in late January

Killed by aphids

11/29/99

D-3

1

3 potatoes

Germinated in late January

Seriously damaged by aphids; still growing 5/1/00

12/5/99

B-8

1

3 potatoes

Germinated in late January

Killed by aphids

12/5/99

D-2

1

3 potatoes

Germinated in late January

Killed by aphids

12/5/99

Preplants

-

3 trays

 

Killed by freezing

12/5/99

Preplants

-

Lettuce

Germination failure (bad seed?)

Nothing

12/5/99

Preplants

0.25

Radish

Germinated 12/10/99.  Ate 1/4

3/4 killed by aphids

12/5/99

Preplants

0.2

Carrots

Ate 2

Most killed by aphids

12/7/99

C-14

1

Wheat

Very low productivity

Very low productivity due to freezing

1/26/00

D-14, D-15, D-16

3

Wheat

Very low productivity

Killed by drought while out of town in March

1/27/00

D-9S1/2

0.5

Potatoes

Plants still alive 5/1

But severely infested with aphids

1/29/00

D-13

1

Wheat

Very low productivity

Killed by drought while out of town in March

2/4/00

Preplants

 

Herbs

2 pots did not germinate (bad seeds?)

Killed by aphids

2/14/00

D-9N1/2

0.5

Potatoes

Plants still alive 5/1

But severely infested with aphids

2/28/00

Preplants

 

Spinach, turnip, celery, pepper, onion, beets, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes

On heat mat at 75° F.  Mostly germinated within 10 days.

Killed by aphids.  All were dead by the end of March.

2/28/00

D-05,   D - 6,   D - 7,   D-8

4

Potatoes

These were pre-sprouted, with 12 inch long shoots. This worked very well.  Still alive 5/1.

But severely infested with aphids.

*Comments about labeling of 'squares':

·        The squares in Mars Base Zero are planting areas.  Our squares are labeled A, B, C, D and E.  The A square is 12 feet by 24 feet, and is against the west wall of the greenhouse.  B, C, D, and E are each 12 feet by 12 feet (a bit shy of 4 meters by 4 meters).  They are labeled such that B is the NW corner of the 4, and adjacent to square A, C is in the NE corner adjacent to the arctic entry wall, D is in the SW corner of the 4 adjacent to A and E is in the SE corner adjacent to the kitchen area.  These 4 areas are 24 feet by 24 feet (just shy of 8 meters by 8 meters). 

·        Squares B, C, D and E are subdivided into roughly one square yard (square meter) sections.  These are labeled 1,2,3,4 on the north side; 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, 10, 11, 12 in the middle 2 rows and 13, 14, 15, 16 on the south side of the square.  This was to facilitate co-ordination of what was planted where.

·        Each section may be further broken down into 1/2 or 1/4.  This is prefixed by N, E, S, W representing north, east, south or west (respectively).  1/4 NE would the north-east corner, for example.

·        This winter we had 3 active beds in which we planted things: B, C and D.  Square E was also used as an area to plant pre-plants.  Eventually square E will be filled with dirt, and square A will be filled with large (1 square yard/meter) growing trays, with an area against the north wall for pre-plants.

As can be seen, we had a number of severe problems which prevented very much of a harvest from our crops.  During the 6 months covered by this period, we had several hard freezes inside the greenhouse, a severe aphid infestation and problems with lighting.  These combined to reduce our harvest potential to nearly zero.

To boost productivity the following recommendations should be implemented:

·        Install a Sensaphone or similar device to alert the operator to dangerous conditions inside the greenhouse (especially low temperatures)

·        Correct the problems with the furnace. 

o       This was partially accomplished by switching to #1 heating oil (which gels at a much lower temperature).

o       Bury the fuel lines to protect them from the cold

o       Bury the fuel tank to help keep it warmer

o       Attach a return line to the oil tank to improve fuel flow

·        Sterilize the entire greenhouse

o       During a warm spell in the summer

§         Heat the greenhouse as warm as the furnace will get it overnight (probably into the low 100°'s F)

§         Uncover the 'glass' and allow full sun in (it will be covered during the summer to prevent overheating of the structure)

§         Raise the temperature to 175°F and keep it there throughout the day

§         Seal the structure, turn off the furnace, recover the 'glass'

o       Leave the structure sealed until fall

o       When operation is to resume

§         Cover beds over with insulation

§         Turn on heating under beds

§         Heat to 150°F for 24 hours

§         Until the snow falls, severely restrict entry to prevent contamination.

  

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