In early November of 2009 my greenhouse project had officially begun. Most of the summer we worked on building a shed that would provide a barrier of sort to the coldest days that hit our region. I wanted a building that would be used to walk through upon entering the greenhouse. Opening a door to a shed would make all the difference with temperature change in this 10′ x 12′ structure.
The greenhouse kit we used is a Gardener Company kit that was found on ebay. It was gently used and we were lucky to find it with only a day trip drive to pick it up. It is amazing what you can find on ebay! I would suggest looking on that network first if you are thinking about starting your own home greenhouse with a limited budget.
SUMMER ’09 PROJECT :
The big project this summer was construction of the Bunny Barn with attached Greenhouse. We started by having our rabbit owner in the family draw up plans for a place to hang the many ribbons she has won over the years. A special place just to raise and train Netherland Dwarfs. Someday this 12′ x 16′ shed will be a full time potting shed but till then it is home for some 20 plus show bunnies.
Once the bunnies were all moved in the construction on the Greenhouse attachment began. The photos below show the rock,block and tiling work that make up the floor for the greenhouse kit to be attached to. Their is plumbing under the structure that will be hooked up at a later time. Right now I am taking advantage of the exercise I get caring water jugs to the greenhouse for watering. As time goes on I may have the water fixture attached.
The kit went together with ease. Photos below show the simple double panel frame this kit consists of. A few extras were added to enforce the structures base. The ‘difficult’ part of the job was attaching the greenhouse to the shed structure. We ended up using a thick rubber material to make a type of gasket fit between the two doorways. the greenhouse door is used as the actual door leading into the greenhouse from the barn. Having to walk through the heated barn structure into the greenhouse will help keep the conditions in the greenhouse level.
I don’t think the last panel to the house had been bolted up for more then an hour that I had the new seeds planted and some fresh Fall finds ready to be planted in containers for fall!
My landscaping plans around the greenhouse structure includes raised beds for square foot gardening. Adding rasied bed structures in landscaping around the greenhouse would also help with keeping the panels of the house from being damaged while mowing. We were running short on time and had other projects to begin so the rest of the beds will have to go in this spring. For now I have two 4′x4′ raised beds that run along the walkway into the structures. After the bolts were sledge hammered through the landscaping timbers we filled them with moss, top soil and compost. These are going to be wonderful beds for the spring garden. It will be nice to have these gardens so close to the house so I can cover them easier when the frost arrives in the spring.
My first month in the Greenhouse :
These were some of my necessities that first month. Every greenhouse needs a watering can or two!
The First Bloom Day ( November 21,2009)
“I look forward to bringing some sunshine to your neck of the woods all winter long from my work in the greenhouse. as the blooms begin to pop I will share them with you on my blog.”
**I share more about my 10′x12′ Greenhouse Adventure in Garden zone 5 at : Brens’ Greenhouse.**
Please feel free to leave me a comment and I will do my best to answer any greenhouse questions you may have from my experience. -Bren
Your website is beautiful. Like how you’ve done your greenhouse and don’t know how you did it all with building the website too. Everything is lovely and you must be exhausted.
It’s fun going through and looking at all the sections. I like how you’ve outlined the greenhouse ‘stuff’…and those raised beds look really nice!
What a beautiful site you have!
Your gorgeous new greenhouse is lovely and eventually your bunny laden barn will be all yours. In the meantime you have lots of little fertilizer producers
Nice post !
wow, awesome article post. Really Cool.
Thanks for sharing your story. I’m in zone 7, and my husband and I have been looking at greenhouses. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Keep in touch – there is a group of us who love to share what we have learned growing in our own greenhouse.
I found some good info here today..thank you
Landscaping is very important in both the business offices and at home. it makes your yard impressive.:`-
AND…. it can help you SAVE MONEY because you can enjoy a little vacation in your own backyard!
I all the time read thewebsite, It is very well structured. Content is wonderful. Thanks!
Glad to see you enjoying your greenhouse. I am growing tomatoes, peppers and some herbs in greenhouse this summer. Blight has affected local tomatoes so mine are better being in GH. Lately its been up to 40-45C in GH, almost so hot you want to water from the door without going in.
Great to make the Greenhouse Connection with you Kristin! WOW.. that is hot! I never thought of watering from the door. LOL
Adding you to my Greenhousers List!
Been reading this blog for a SHORT time now,always a good read.I alwaqys enjoy your writings.Please keep them coming.
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I truly appreciate this blog post.Much thanks again. Cool.