Saturday, October 24, 2009

Dreaming of Greenhouses

Each year as the gardening season ends I long for a greenhouse of my very own. One where I could overwinter tropicals, succulents, and do some seed starting so I'd have to get a heating system. This year as I brought in my houseplants I was struggling with where to put them all. Some of the plants seemed to grow twice their size this summer so I had to get creative as to where place them all. Although our great room has a ton of light, the other rooms in our house are mostly north facing - which are fine for plants that like low light but not so good for some others. I think I've finally convinced Andy that getting a greenhouse is great idea so he's been doing some research for me. Of course I've been researching too but tend to look more at the beauty of them then at their function.


Here's one that looks quite practical. I'd love to have all that extra room!


I love the ones with the white metal frames. They have such a great cottage look to them.


Ohhhh.... look at the finials on that roof!


A grey one with lattice and wood siding.


Imagine being able to have this many succulents flourishing all winter long.


How fun to be able to decorate it for the holidays.


The green houses come in all different shapes and sizes. This one looks nice and compact.


A place to grow orchids and water plants. Ok... I've died and gone to heaven!


During the dark, dreary, cold days of winter how cheery would this sight be?


I love this door!

The wood on this one is gorgeous! And look at how well it is situated in the garden.


Here's a lean-to greenhouse. This would be so convenient in the winter time.... I wouldn't even have to go outside to enjoy the plants.


On the high end here's a conservatory sunroom. If I win the lottery this is what I want!


Here's a really affordable greenhouse from Costcos. It just proves that you don't have to spend a ton of money.

You've probably seen this one before.... this is my all time favorite! I go to Tyra's blog and just sigh.... Her greenhouse and garden is amazing!


Do you have a greenhouse? If you do what kind do you have? How much did you spend and how do you use it? Is it heated? I'd love to hear from you.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Jackie, I've spent a shameful amount of time lusting after greenhouses. The Costco one would be fine but I also like the lean-to style and would probably find this as the most practical.

For now I keep many of my plants on my covered deck. The covering is white PVC sheets which allow in filtered sun. They act as an insulator and the area is often more than toasty on a summer afternoon. Being in Zone 8, I can winter many plants here.

I hope you'll let us know which one you decide to get!

tina said...

Good post. I was going to tell you about Tyra's Greenhouse but I see you've discovered it. I have a 5x5x5 plastic greenhouse I purchased for $50 two years ago. It is permanently set up in the garden and has held up quite well. I built some shelves in it out of concrete blocks and 2x4s. I use it mainly for cuttings and young plants but only in the spring and fall. It just isn't worth it to me to heat it but is a usefull accessory in the garden. Maybe someday I'll have a big one like these and can heat it. Sigh. I need to start playing the lottery!

Liz said...

I too would love a greenhouse, I love the 'cottage' style of some of them!

At the moment I survive with just a growhouse but one day would love a greenhouse or a lean-to...

Joanne said...

Hi Jackie
I just posted a picture of my greenhouse in my Nerines post. The one at the front was here when we moved in although had to be moved after a flood in the garden, recently we were given one by a neighbour which Mike has fitted to the back making one long greenhouse.

However I go to bed dreaming of a Hartley Botanical or Alitex greenhouse oh to have the money to buy one of those.

I too love the victorian style.

Anonymous said...

No, I don't have one but I sure like Tyra's! I love the Victorian door on the one you pictured above too. It would be so nice to have the lean-to one on the back of the house - talk about convenient! And I think decorating one for the holidays would be such fun. Keep us posted.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I'd love one too. I've even bought a book on them, but just don't have the space for the kind I'd like. I love the Victorian style ones even though it wouldn't really go with my house or garden. Have fun looking and can't wait to see what you end up with!

sweetbay said...

No greenhouse but I love Tyra's! There's a lot of beautiful greenhouses you've shown here. I love the wood frame greenhouse in the garden too.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Like you I have always dreamed of a greenhouse, I want one like Martha Stewarts :). As long as I am dreaming I may as well dream big. I must settle for a basement table with a grow light over it.

lynn'sgarden said...

Jackie, these are great examples of greenhouses. Problem is I like every single one! It would be hard to choose. I would actually love one added directly to my house so I don't have to wander in the cold to get to it...lol! Are you adding one soon?

blushing rose said...

I'd stand on my head if he'd get me one ... haha! I love them & would love gardening in the winter. These are far lovelier than the ones that I have seen, tho, when I look.

Have a wonderful warm weekend. TTFN ~Marydon

Unknown said...

How exciting to possibly get one of those pretty fancy ones. I have a greenhouse but it's an older one - an offer I couldn't afford to refuse. It's 8' x 15' I believe and I paid $200.00 for it. Bob built all staggered shelves on one side for easy watering and a long potting shelf on the other side. He added water and electric. I'm like Tina, not really worth the money to heat it but possibly some day. I just use it to start plants and keep what will keep. If it gets too cold then I lose some. But I'm pretty much learning what I can hold over and what I can't. For me it's like a 'mans shop' - it's my space with my cd/cassette/radio player so I can have my music or just enjoy listening to the quiet. I was going to do a post on it sometime but with my summer being all taken up with spending time with Dad in the hospital and more recently myself in the hospital for a week I just haven't been able to get to it. It might be old and uggy but it's mine and it works and I LOVE IT! I hope you can get one too Jackie - I know you'd have a ball with whatever one you choose.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I enjoyed your post! What a lovely collection of greenhouses to choose from!

I don't have room for one, but I wonder if one of those wood ones would fit where my herb garden is. I'd lose that spot, but would also love to have a greenhouse.

Tootsie said...

ask me anything!!! I have had a couple different ones...they all have pros and cons..the one I have now is 16x20 feet...heated with a gas heater...and is pretty much just a single car garage with a deck board floor...and clear walls and roof...if you need more info...you know where to find me!

The Enduring Gardener said...

Nice post Jackie ! Give me the wooden one any day. I'm no expert but I think it is a Gabriel ash - I'm saving up for one of their less expensive greenhouses. www.gabrielash.com - plenty more wooden greenhouses to see there. Will definately be back on your blog regularly ! Good job.

Anna said...

I am lucky enough to have two greenhouses - one at home and one at my allotment. I have just got a new one at home which looks similar to the one in your top photo but mine has more windows. I use the greenhouse at home to overwinter cuttings, sweet peas and other autumn sown seeds and some tender plants. I have a heated sandbench which I usually switch on in February to get some seeds off to an early start. The allotment greenhouse is home to a grapevine. Hope that your dream comes true :)

Wren said...

OH yea!!! We've been dreaming over here too! My mom and I are scheming... Dug that hole out in the bank just for the cause. We are so wooded here, it is hard to find a place that gets some sun. Started eyeing up with a snap-together model, but think we may go with the Sunshine company. Loving the cedar frame of the Mt. Hood. Also wanting double poly walls, not single. Dreaming of winter TOMATOES. Been saving.. maybe soon.. ? LOVE this post!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you .. : )

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

If I'm going to dream - and it is a dream - then I will go straight for a conservatory! I want to sit out there in the winter with some exotic plants and imagine next summer's garden... :)

Toni said...

Hi Jackie...
I'm still in the dreaming phase. I love that Conservatory sunroom!

Victoria said...

I would loooove a greenhouse! Maybe one day! I enjoyed your post very much..fantastic spotlight....so many charming versions out there..awesome!

Kathleen said...

Oh I wish I had a greenhouse too. I'd take any of the ones you featured! I'm not picky. Of course I like the fancy ones best but really any place to winter over plants and start seeds would be wonderful. I hope you get one this year. We'll all be envious!

Darla said...

I am dreaming/drooling over greenhouses too!!

Stacey said...

I am so with you on this dream! Imagine not having to start over each spring? Plus, in the middle of winter to just go out and hang with my plants...that would be heavenly. :)

As an alternative, my husband and I go to our favorite nursery in the dead of winter. There isn't alot to see but we love to smell the dirt.

Dirt Princess said...

I would love to have ANY of those and I am with you 100% on Tyra's greenhouse! WOW! However I will be buying the $150 pop up greenhouse this winter. It holds 12 shelves...so that should get me by until I can afford the "Tyra" model! LOL!

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking about outside still! I was up the other night dreaming of landscaping, greenhouses, etc. I thought, this is crazy, it's almost winter! lol Beautiful examples, I would love one if I had the space for it.
~Michelle

Nell Jean said...

If you are a DIY person, you can get a 10 x 12' polycarb with aluminum frame at Harbor Freight for cheap, cheap. The extras like electricity and running water for mine doubled the cost.

I would have preferred one of the really fancy ones, too. The plants don't seem to mind at all and the dog and cat love it.

Heating may be expensive -- cooling is our problem, except for the rare winter days we have.

Cliff W said...

The most important piece of advice is to get the largest you can afford and have room for. I can promise you that you will fill it without problem and probably regret anything smaller. We bought a second-hand aluminium one (8' x 6') which was way too small and now also have a practical (but unattractive) polytunnel for overwintering and lengthening the growing season. Whichever you decide upon, I hope you enjoy it as much as we have ;)

P.S no heat or electricity although I do harvest rainwater from the roof.