As cool as a cucumber - not in Iceland!

This evening I have two photos of cucumber plants for you. Now, why would I be showing you cucumbers?

The one on the left is growing in my greenhouse in Broughty Ferry and the one on the right is growing in a greenhouse in Iceland and was photographed last week by Mr Chambers. The Icelandic plant is actually much healthier than mine. The leaves of my cucumber plant are covered in a powdery fungus which thrives in the cool, humid conditions in greenhouses on a sunless Scottish summer. Over in Iceland, however, with ample supplies of geo thermally heated water flowing through pipes in their greenhouses, their cucumbers won't ever be shivering.

Greenhouse cultivation is a very important part of the Icelandic economy. By growing fruit and vegetables under glass, the Icelanders can be almost self sufficient in many horticultural products for much of the year.

Even in winter when there are short hours of daylight, they just turn on the lights (electricity is relatively cheap in Iceland because of the abundant hydro and geo thermal power) to allow the plants to photsynthesise. It may be cold and dark outside in January but in the greenhouses there will be tomatoes growing.

We will have our first experience of geo thermal activity on our first afternoon in Iceland when we visit the Krysuvik mud puddles and hot springs at Seltun.

How cool is that - not!

However, everywhere you go in Iceland, you may see evidence of geo thermal activity. Watch out for steam just rising from the ground....