garden98011's Blog

Oh, if I MUST!!!
Jun 25, 2011 | 8:57 PM PST

Last week my husband said he wanted the garage back and that I needed a greenhouse.  My plant room tucked in the back of our garage did not work so well due to low light conditions.  We have glass garage doors so I slowly moved the plants into one whole side of the garage for better light.  Eventually, it was filled with plants/dirt/supplies for most of the year. 

We have absolutely no room for a greenhouse, or so I thought.  When I originally designed the backyard I had little experience, I neglected to leave any room for future changes...oh how I wish I could redo the whole area. Anyway, we went outside to measure, he went to his office and plotted a design (residential/interior designer). All of a sudden he became a garden designer for ten minutes and it worked .....So, I get a greenhouse!!!!!  He is amazing, he found enough space for an 8x12' condo!  He very seriously said it had to look like it belonged and I would have to add plants around the base, the platform must match our Ipe deck and have similar stairs....I was giddy inside, I was being told I HAD to have a greenhouse and I HAD to buy more plants~heavenly bliss!!!!  My suggesion of using the same stone as in the courtyard for the stairs was met with hesitant acceptance but I think it will fly.  The only downside will be rehoming my Cornus kousa koreanisis 'Ruby Slipper.'  My late husband and I bought two as Valentine's presents for each other when they were first introduced by Wells Nursery in Mt. Vernon.  This one is the better of the two and I have no other place to transplant it.

I have always wanted to grow plants from seed but usually encounter some problem or another.  My sweet friend Mosaic2007 grows tons of fun annuals, etc in her greenhouse.  The natural light really makes a huge difference.  I have not started looking at seed catalogs yet but can hardly wait!  Overwintering my tender plants will be a snap and I can even try some new ones.  I would love to have plumeria again. 

So any suggestions on what type of greenhouse to purchase will be greatly appreciated.  All I know is that I want a black one.  We will start the project in September.

~Andrea