8 minute read
DREAM GREENHOUSE- PART II
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A place of beauty, inspiration and even solace it has become my favourite place to be. We designed and built our greenhouse based on the dreamy versions on Pinterest that I had been sighing over for years. Using a rough plan that I sketched out, and lots of recycled windows with whimsy, charm and patina—aka flaking old paint—my handy husband was able to put it all together. Being semi-retired, we finally had the luxury of time for this project, so this approach worked well for us, but there are many other ways to add one to your garden. There are also many practical considerations before you begin to build or purchase a greenhouse, and many styles to choose between. From a classic conservatory style fit for a country estate, to snap-together kits, poly tunnels, hoop houses, and DIY specials like ours, there are as many greenhouse
options out there as there are gardens to house them in.
As with any home building project, it all starts with planning and knowing what it is you want your greenhouse to do for you. Will you be starting plants from seed for transplanting into your veggie and garden beds when the time is right? Would you like a place to grow exotic plants, or to house some of the tender specimens over winter? Are you hoping to extend the season and supply your household with fresh vegetables year-round by growing directly in the greenhouse? Or perhaps you dream of a space where you can be out of the house puttering, reading or sipping a cup of tea no matter the weather?
Take a moment to look at your yard
with fresh eyes and picture what a greenhouse would add to it, in both practical and aesthetic terms. For inspiration, Pinterest is the place to be… set up your own board and then browse and borrow ideas and images that appeal to you and get a feel for what you want your dream greenhouse to look like.
When you are at this crucial information gathering stage, YouTube videos on greenhouses and how to build them are very helpful. One of my favourite short clips, “The Beginner’s Guide to Greenhouses” from GrowOrganic Peaceful Valley, covers some of the basics to consider before purchasing or building your own. I found the BC Greenhouse Builders Ltd. website (bcgreenhouses.com) to be both informative and inspirational. And you can download a free copy of their “Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Greenhouse” with featured product lines as well as information on site selection, foundation prep, drainage, flooring, and glazing options.
Once you decide what your greenhouse priorities are, here are some things to keep in mind:
LOCATION
When it comes to situating the greenhouse, choose a sunny spot with a southern exposure—at least six hours of sunlight is recommended— and ideally with exposure to stronger morning rays. You can always add shade with coverings or strategic plantings if needed, but you can’t add more sun. That being said, on our property we had no choice but to build the greenhouse facing east, and so far the seedlings have done just fine!
SIZE
Personally, I am a small is beautiful kinda gal, but I have never run across a gardener who wishes their greenhouse was smaller! So go as big as you can, given your available space and budget. A quick search for greenhouse kits will provide a wealth of options for style,
opposite The dreamy interior space of the author‘s greenhouse left author‘s greenhouse build in progress
from top hand-crafted greenhouse like many posted on Pinterest;Pacific series greenhouse by BC Greenhouse Builders; Poly tunnel
size and price. From a 30"x 56" plastic pop-up model from Walmart, or a Palram Snap & Grow (6' x 8') available through Home Depot or Lowes, to a 10' x 20' Sungrow (with a galvanized steel structure and polycarbonate panels) from Planta Greenhouses (plantagreenhouses.ca), or a 12' x 16' Pacific series model from BC Greenhouse Builders with its elegantly curved roofline, there are many options available to purchase for your garden... and you can also build a custom model, in which case any size is possible.
TYPE OF STRUCTURE & MATERIALS
Your greenhouse can be portable or permanent; attached to your home or free standing. It can have a traditional pitched roof, or sport an A-frame,
lean-to, gothic arch, or rounded hoop-house profile. Are you going to hire a greenhouse builder? Purchase a pre-fab package? Or go all-in with a DIY project? As always, ensure that you also look into local building regulations to determine whether you will need permission &/or permits for the size and type of structure you are planning.
The supporting structure for the greenhouse can be made of plastic, wood, aluminum, or steel. Glazing options for the walls and the roof include polyethylene (plastic) sheeting, tempered single or double-pane glass, and twinwall (or fivewall) polycarbonate panels. Each option has its own pros & cons as far as light, insulating R-values, relative heat gain and aesthetics. Tempered single pane glass, for instance, allows 95% visible light transmission, but has a lower insulating value than twinwall polycarbonate, but the polycarbonate only allows for 82% light transmission. The former is also clear, while the latter provides a transparent, but distorted or wavy view when looking into, or out of, the greenhouse.
THE EXTRAS
If you plan on having running water and electricity in your greenhouse, this will mean permits and the services of a professional plumber and electrician. For my DIY special, I opted to just drag in a hose when needed and having a nearby power cord available for running a fan etc.
Speaking of fans, ventilation is critical to your success in the greenhouse. A roof vent is a must, and one that opens automatically with any fluctuations in air temperature can be
THE INSIDE
Flooring can be exposed earth, wood, brick, concrete, paving stones, gravel… or marble for that matter! Again think about what you will be doing in the space: if you are watering plants and the overflow hits the floor, will you want it to just soak in or would you rather mop it up and have a cleaner surface? Countertops, benches, storage cupboards and shelving for inside your greenhouse will need to be planned and suited to how you will use and move within your greenhouse space. Allow for at least 19-24” for walking room between any of these features. Hooks and pegs for hanging garden tools and equipment come in very handy, as does a step stool. And some comfortable seating will make the greenhouse a space to relax, as well as work!
The process for designing a functional, pleasing space, is much the same in the greenhouse as it is for any room in your home. Personally, I cannot resist those romantic images of shabby-chic, white-washed greenhouse interiors that populate magazines and the online world. For my greenhouse project I have tracked down some Dutch tulip trays, a vintage potting bench, and a twinkly glass chandelier, but that’s just me… your own approach may be more practical, and your design style may lean towards the sleek and modern. Whatever you create for yourself, make it your own and enjoy every moment planning, building and using your greenhouse!
SUMMER IN THE GARDEN
JUNE: Given our colder spring I’ve delayed planting out many starter plants until the soil warms, but beans can be seeded now, as can squash. Tomato and cucumbers can go in and it’s a good time to set up trellises and other supports for vines. Deadhead spring flowering bulbs as they fade, but leave the foliage to yellow before lifting or dividing... this will allow the bulbs to store energy for next year’s growing season. And it’s time to get those dahlias in the ground.
JULY: Keep seeding bush, and pole beans, arugula, lettuce, beets, kale, cabbage, chard, spinach, leeks, and carrots. Keep picking and harvesting as fruit and vegetables begin to ripen.
Chores: Mulch, weed, water, and apply fertilizer as needed. Pest patrol is an ongoing summer task. Look out for aphids, slugs, snails, ants, pillbugs, and assorted garden chewers. Armed with a sturdy spray nozzle, a cup of beer (for the slugs, mind) and some soapy sprays and potions—non-toxic ones please— the garden will survive the occasional muncher.
AUGUST: Plant seed peas, arugula, beets, corn salad, cilantro, turnips and oriental greens, carrots, kohlrabi, pac choi, swiss chard, lettuce, and spinach.
Chores: All of the above, and fingers crossed that even after a slow start to the season we will have had enough sun and heat to start harvesting fruit and veggies. If you’re letting some plants set seed, collect them as they ripen, dry for a couple of weeks, and then store in a cool, dry, dark place for use next year.
SEPTEMBER Plant seed corn salad, beet greens, mustard greens, garlic and purple sprouting broccoli (for a spring harvest) and of course arugula… mine grows pretty much year-round here!
Chores: Thin out winter root crops (beets, carrots etc.) to give them room for that final growth spurt. Mulch, water judiciously, and harvest. Seed saving continues. Remove spent plants. And start looking up recipes for green tomato chutney and salsas. You know there will be some that don’t have time to fully ripen.
