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Greenhouses Bring Gardens in From the Cold
Get a jump start on summer plantings even if spring chills linger with a greenhouse or cold frames in your backyard
I am a freelance editorial and wedding photographer and Houzz contributor based out of Hershey, PA. Come visit me at 'A Nest for All Seasons' where I write about design, photography and modern garden living!
I am a freelance editorial and wedding photographer and Houzz contributor... More »
A few months ago I was contacted about appearing on a TV competition show. I had to fill out an application, make a video and tell them what I would do with the money if I won. I said I wanted to build a greenhouse. I never heard back from them, so I'm thinking they thought a greenhouse wasn't the right thing to spend thousands of dollars on (or perhaps they didn't like the way I smile or hot glue stuff).
Anyway, competition or no, a greenhouse is still on my wish list. When that windfall comes, it will be blowing in panes of glass, metal fans and row after row of wooden shelving. I will stockpile my greenhouse with aisles of herbs, truckloads of pots and fruit trees galore. Until then, I will satisfy my need to grow plants out of season with homemade cold frames and jerry-rigged greenhouses. Won't you join me today as we look at some inspirational greenhouses from the great and grandiose to the petite and pretty?
Anyway, competition or no, a greenhouse is still on my wish list. When that windfall comes, it will be blowing in panes of glass, metal fans and row after row of wooden shelving. I will stockpile my greenhouse with aisles of herbs, truckloads of pots and fruit trees galore. Until then, I will satisfy my need to grow plants out of season with homemade cold frames and jerry-rigged greenhouses. Won't you join me today as we look at some inspirational greenhouses from the great and grandiose to the petite and pretty?
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| There is something magical about a greenhouse situated in the midst of a garden. Plants crawling up the sides and glowing from within make a greenhouse a true celebration of life. |
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| Windows can be straight or tilted to allow more light to fall upon the plants. Make sure at least some of the windows can be opened for ventilation. |
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| You can use large panes of glass, or minioned panes, or even a combination of sizes scavenged from the dump. Your plants care not how many panes there are — just how much light streams through. |
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Site your greenhouses with a clear view of the sun. Bushes around the base and a few climbing vines are great, but too many trees will block the sun and defeat the purpose.
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| I can't speak of greenhouses without mentioning Longwood Gardens. I recently toured the grounds and could not help but be impressed by the massive conservatories. They are certainly the gold standard. |
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| Not only are the showcase conservatories a sight to behold, but Longwood also has a multitude of workhorse greenhouses. The secret to year-round bloom displays at this garden is a constant rotation of year-round growth in the greenhouses. |
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| Don't have money for a full-fledged greenhouse but want to grow seedlings? Try a cold frame. A cold frame is basically a base that's 1 foot to 2 feet high with a window over top. Keep the window on the base during winter and open it slightly to vent as the weather warms up. |
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| This version combines one large concrete base with several sliding windows. |
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Maybe you can't afford a giant greenhouse but want more than a cold frame. Here is an example of midsize DIY greenhouse.
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| If your DIY chops aren't the greatest, you can order premade greenhouses in many sizes. |
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| After your greenhouse is built, consider the interior. You will certainly want to use all that light and grow as many plants as you can, but don't forget to look at the space with a designer's eye. A focal point in the center adds dimension and flow to this greenhouse. |
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| Allow the plants to climb up the walls, using hanging baskets and trellises. Greenhouse space is prime real estate, so use every inch. |
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Once your space is bathed in light and glows green with plants, consider using it for more than growing. Would it be the perfect winter spot for a dinner table?
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| Consider attaching the greenhouse directly to your home for use as a sunroom. You can use the space as an extra living area as well as for plants. |
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| Whether it is a grandiose conservatory dedicated to plants, a makeshift collection of leftover windows for seedlings or a cottage-inspired greenhouse in your backyard, consider a greenhouse as a way to add more light and green to your life. It probably won't win you any competitions, but it will likely bring you much joy. More: Conservatories of Longwood Gardens Inspire Awe |
Comments
Spacify Inc, Nice.........
13 months ago · Like
Conservatory Craftsmen Thanks for featuring us Amy!
13 months ago · Like
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BC Greenhouse Builders Ltd We are thrilled to be in your article! Thanks very much from all of us at BC Greenhouses!
13 months ago · Like
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Morgan Daniels I have to admit that the last one is something to me... looks like magic. I can not even imagine how beautiful that would be. Picture some flowers, a lounge chair, a small bookshelf and a few pretty sculptures and bubble fairies hanging at different levels from the ceiling. Thanks for sharing these.
13 months ago · Like
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inbliss Thank you all for your talent for extending the seasons and the passion for plants and designing the space to help us all dream something like these spaces into our own realities!
12 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on April 29, 2012.
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