The greenhouse was constructed by a friend (Justin Sellers) and me over the course of many weekends. Full disclosure, Justin is the ‘builder’ and me the dutiful helper. The greenhouse’s beginning was a vision for more than two years with countless sketches discarded, as I worked my way through books, and web sites learning the aspects needed for a well-functioning greenhouse. It was important that the greenhouse not “look new”, that it be built on an existing 20’ x 24’ concrete slab (a remnant of the properties former home), incorporate repurposed lumber (everywhere possible), a large 1950’s era kitchen sink, and a large wrought-iron chandelier once displayed in a Napa Valley, CA vineyards’ wine tasting room (image: John Green).
By: John Green, Certified Texas Expert Gardener, Orange TX
For many gardeners, our ‘gardening journey’ often begins with a couple of seemingly innocuous houseplants or bedding plants, since we are wanting to add color to an area inside our home or brighten ‘vanilla’ areas of the landscape with a “pop” of color. Gradually adding more plants (or using my ‘cart-before-the-horse approach’ with many, many more), and before you realize it…the gardening “bug” has taken a firm hold and there is no getting away! Many plants lives are lost in the process of becoming gardener…this is a necessary component in the steep learning curve, as we learn to nurture plants. Gardening is addictive…if you’re lucky!
German parents and Grandparents bestowed upon me a love of gardening from a young age in Germany. Each season vegetables were grown in meticulous beds, and harvests were plentiful. Fruit trees were strategically planted around the garden plot and maintained at heights to make harvesting easier. There was always ‘low-hanging’ fruit (plums and apples) so that the children could help during harvest- with a bit of Opa or Oma’s assistance! While I’ve been a gardener for many years (the exact number of years- unknown) and have considered building a greenhouse numerous times in the past but too many constraints, meaning the time simply wasn’t right. Career progressions, frequent relocation, and family constraints each requiring focused attention which further divided my time…meaning the greenhouse would simply have to wait!
The greenhouse interior has custom shelving (built using my rudimentary carpentry skills) for those of us who are not vertically challenged, constructed of pressure treated lumber with a central bench which can easily be relocated (built on castors), allowing many plants to be relocated quickly (image: John Green).
Fact is, I’ve always dreamed of having but wanted to build a greenhouse but waited, since I could never determine exactly how I would go about the task of building it. Obviously, numerous structural design options were considered, such as constructing a ‘lean-to’ on an exterior home or barn wall, purchasing a prefabricated greenhouse, building a stand-alone framed greenhouse, or purchasing a high-end metal and glass greenhouse. The cost of a greenhouse varies dramatically from reasonably inexpensive to prohibitive with some costing tens of thousands of dollars. Before considering the type of greenhouse to purchase or build, a gardener must determine what they intend to grow inside the greenhouse and space requirements to meet your needs, since plant varieties have differing environmental requirements. Understand that a greenhouse cannot satisfy the environmental requirements of every plant simultaneously. My personal gardening journey expanded with the addition of a greenhouse. Not everyone one will agree with me, but it has allowed me to “grow” as a gardener…pun intended!
This is my journey to building my perfectly ‘imperfect’ greenhouse which some of you have asked me to share. The journey initially began as a heart-swelling labor of love but quickly faded into heart ache (thanks to mother nature), and then rebounded quickly, tracking back on course as originally planned.
Most gardeners fancy having their own greenhouse, as some of us consider it a ‘step closer’ towards sustainable living and allows us the ability to have ‘year-round’ gardens. This all sounds great, but before you begin it is important to have a plan of action and understand exactly what you expect from the greenhouse! Otherwise, mistakes and design changes will prove to be costly in more ways than one!
Let me stop here for a moment to emphasize the importance of learning as much as possible about greenhouse construction, material types and costs noting that the cost of constructing a greenhouse can quickly become prohibitive.
Determine which is the best fit for you, since there are many prefabricated greenhouse options available, in an array of pricing structures which fit most every gardener’s budget. Of course, some are more budget friendly than others and the greenhouse dimensions are most often standardized. There are greenhouse manufacturers who create architectural “works of art” which are literally stunning masterpieces to behold…just make certain you’re sitting down as you review the associated cost since many designs begin in the low $10,000.00 range rapidly increasing to more than $100,000.00 or more, depending on dimensions, roof and material types, as well as interior features selected.
Greenhouse roof styles and building structures are plentiful with more than 15 types available, such as gable, saw tooth, hoop, dome, fiber glass, glass, polycarbonate, and many others.
Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast, a homeowner with a green thumb, or someone looking to venture into sustainable living, this is my journey which might aid you in determining if a greenhouse is right for you. I’ll provide you with knowledge learned and instructions to create a personal greenhouse oasis. Building a greenhouse offers numerous benefits, from extending the growing season to protecting delicate plants from harsh weather conditions. With proper planning, the right materials, and a clear understanding of the construction process, you too can build a greenhouse!
So long for now fellow gardeners! Let’s go out and grow ourselves a greener, more sustainable world, one plant at a time! I want to thank several readers for prompting me to write about my greenhouse journey. Please continue sending gardening questions to: jongreene57@gmail.com.
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