Does anyone have a greenhouse?

[Jenise]

I don't, but dream of having one and probably would have built one by now if I had an obvious and suitable place to put one--which I don't. I can't even think of any in my neighborhood where others don't have the view restrictions I do, and I am wondering aloud why not. Here in the upper latitudes, it would seem a natural for those interested in having herbs and lettuces year-round.

A mini-greenhouse on the roof - measures about 4 x 6.5 feet, primarily for herbs including one that is sometimes forbidden (but legal in my case because of my "condition". Made almost entirely from a few metal bars supporting plastic sheeting and a glass door (with a lock on it)

Best
Rogov

[Jenise]

Hmm...the salads must be very interesting at your house! [She says, joking but very worried about her friend.]

A doctor up the street has a very large, beautiful brick and glass greenhouse, like you see advertised in garden magazines. It is said that when it was being built, it would have locks on the doors. It is far enough back that I cannot really tell what plantings are in there. My good friend has one on the side of her house. A small one but she uses it 24/7. She takes cuttings from my yard, and others, and starts azaleas by the dozens. We also give her a few baby Japanese Maples now and then that pop up all over the yard. She raised one for me for three years in that green house and it now lives happily under the protection of oak trees in the front yard. In the spring, she houses her tomato plants until our frost date has passed. I know she has started rose cuttings from our yard, as well. I would love to have one but do not have an empty area for it. A pool and rock garden take up most of the area we live in and use in the back yard, and my veggie and herb garden take up the rear of the house. Gene has a giant workshop that eats up the rest. I need to do some research one of these days as maybe I could take out a raised bed.

Hmm...the salads must be very interesting at your house!

Ye gods woman....not for the salads! In a pipe, rolled into a joint, perhaps in a brownie or other heavy cookie, and on occasion in a cake based largely on white flour and Belgian chocolate.

Best
Rogov

Hmm...the salads must be very interesting at your house!

Ye gods woman....not for the salads! In a pipe, rolled into a joint, perhaps in a brownie or other heavy cookie, and on occasion in a cake based largely on white flour and Belgian chocolate.

Best
Rogov

Love it!

A good friend of mine in Davis built a greenhouse for his wife when they moved into their house back in the early '80's. At the time, she was heavily into raising orchids and had some amazing plants. She's since moved on to other pursuits, though. The greenhouse is mostly used for storage.

[Jenise]

Ye gods woman....not for the salads! In a pipe, rolled into a joint, perhaps in a brownie or other heavy cookie, and on occasion in a cake based largely on white flour and Belgian chocolate.

Best
Rogov

Here's an idea for you: on an episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, I believe it was in Cambodia that he indulged, or pretended to, in what I think he called "the Happy Pizza". Never tried it myself, but as someone whose favorite pizza is plain cheese with but oregano for the topping, it's easy to understand how the simple exchange of one ingredient could almost go unnoticed.

I don't, but dream of having one and probably would have built one by now if I had an obvious and suitable place to put one--which I don't. I can't even think of any in my neighborhood where others don't have the view restrictions I do, and I am wondering aloud why not. Here in the upper latitudes, it would seem a natural for those interested in having herbs and lettuces year-round.

Jenise,
You could consider a halfway measure employed by Farmer Kevin, who runs our CSA: he uses "tunnels" made out of plastic sheeting that he places over rows of greens for wintertime growing. Imagine a long, little quonset hut made of translucent plastic and you've got the idea. Since we live in Zone 5a, this ought to work just fine for you folk living in Zone 8.

Mark Lipton

Jenise, have you thought about a cold frame instead? I'm planning on doing one for my garden in the next couple of weeks. You can extend the season and not have the maintenance of a greenhouse.


-mike

Jenise, have you thought about a cold frame instead? I'm planning on doing one for my garden in the next couple of weeks. You can extend the season and not have the maintenance of a greenhouse.


-mike

Mike, are you building it yourself? Did you find plans for one you like?

[Jenise]

Jenise, have you thought about a cold frame instead? I'm planning on doing one for my garden in the next couple of weeks. You can extend the season and not have the maintenance of a greenhouse.


-mike

No, I'm not even familiar with the term. Is it a matter of putting up a temporary plastic roof in order to trap heat?

Jenise, have you thought about a cold frame instead? I'm planning on doing one for my garden in the next couple of weeks. You can extend the season and not have the maintenance of a greenhouse.


-mike

No, I'm not even familiar with the term. Is it a matter of putting up a temporary plastic roof in order to trap heat?

Jenise, a cold frame is much smaller and a good start for someone wanting a greenhouse. Easier to deal with too. Some folks sink these into the ground if they live in a very cold/snowy area.

http://www.google.com/search?q=cold+frame+plans&hl=en&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4GZAZ_enUS251US251&biw=1536&bih=710&site=webhp&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=eBJgTrqoHc_ViAL3n_m7Dg&sqi=2&ved=0CGAQsAQ

I would love to have a heated greenhouse (to keep the greenhouse just above freezing, since it can get cold here in the winter) but instead have an unheated glassed-in area where plants in pots can overwinter and seeds can get started in spring. Some of the most lovely greenhouses, to me, are made by Gabriel Ash from cedar. They have a line of coldframes which include not just the low, long ones but also upright ones that attach to a building (like the side of a house or garage). Maybe that's a good compromise with your site restrictions? Here's the website
http://www.gabrielash.com/green_house/cold-frames.html
cheers, Bonnie

I am going to have a 8' x 10' or 12' cedar free standing constructed in Amish Country soon or order a kit from somewhere as a surprise Christmas gift to my wife. She has always loved gardening and we already have the perfect spot in our rear yard area that's already prepped as a base. The previous owners had put in an area with crush and run that they had a swing set on for their daughter. The area measures 14' x 18'. Thanks Jenise for starting this topic as it's kicked started this project that I pushed back...I need to get this done for her.

Lovely site, Drew. Lucky lady, your wife.

Jenise, have you thought about a cold frame instead? I'm planning on doing one for my garden in the next couple of weeks. You can extend the season and not have the maintenance of a greenhouse.


-mike

Mike, are you building it yourself? Did you find plans for one you like?

Karen, yes I'm going to make it myself. I found an old 2' x 3' bathroom window and I'm going to use some cedar fence boards to make the box. It will look something close to the SallyG cold frame in the following link, http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2248/#b and this link has a bunch of pictures of different style cold frames, http://www.google.com/search?q=cold+fra ... 9&bih=1067

I used a cold frame back in New England and it helped about 4-6 weeks on either end of the gardening season. I figure it will be closer to 6-8 weeks here in the PNW. They are also a lot cheaper than a greenhouse. I'll probably insulate it with some high density insulation board if I can find some scraps somewhere in my travels. I like doing things on the cheap where I can!


-mike