Passion for Planting

Inside a Greenhouse the Growing Season Never Ends, Even in the Depth of Winter

Falls chilly air and impending frost doesnt mean your love for all things green has to go dormant. This avid gardener selected a small backyard greenhouse to foster year round planting. Ill grow veggies and herbs in the greenhouse through October and store clay pots and tools in here through February, she says. In March, itll be time to start seedlings early for the garden. The gardener found a perfect spot for her greenhouse in her terraced backyard. She leveled the area and began assembling the greenhouse kit. I enlisted the neighbors to help, she says. It took three sets of hands at all times. After the greenhouse was in place, red pavers for the floor and a pea gravel path and courtyard were added. For the final touches, she chose shrubs and colorful annuals for the areas around the greenhouse.

Gardening Guide

1. Pick a Sunny Location Look for a place that has solar exposure in wintersix or more hours of direct sunlight is best. This will be in an area that has good eastern, western, and (most importantly) southern exposure. Northern exposure is not as critical, and a windblocking mass (such as evergreen trees, a building, or a landform) can actually be advantageous on the north side. Placing the long dimension of the greenhouse on the south side maximizes solar gain, however, all sides of the greenhouse are essentially transparent, so the orientation of the structure itself is not as important as its solar exposure. This greenhouse is positioned with the long side facing due south and the door end facing due west.

2. Engage the Landscape As a new design element in your garden, your greenhouse should complement the existing landscape. An entry courtyard or clearing provides an exterior workspace adjacent to the greenhouse door. Consider the greenhouse orientation when installing permanent plantings. Shade trees are okay on the north side and even directly over the greenhouse in warm climates where harsh summer sun could cause more harm than good. Tall and evergreen plants are suitable north and west of the greenhouse, where winter winds and afternoon sun can be unforgiving. Plants on the south and east sides should be small and should die back in the cold monthsannuals, perennials, and herbs are ideal here.

3. Remember the Flooring Flooring material should be both pervious (allow water to penetrate) and medium to dark in color. The pervious material lets surface water drain quickly from the floor and allows moisture to enter the greenhouse on a sunny day. Dark flooring absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night. Thick concrete pavers or pervious concrete, which has more mass than a thinner material, also helps with heat absorption. A dark gravel or mulch material will work well if you are looking for a soft, organic floor.

Make it: Framed Chalk Board

Step 1: Cut the sheet of plywood to 20 x 24 inches.

Step 2: Lightly sand the plywood, and then apply several coats of chalkboard paint, allowing each coat to dry.

Step 3: Using utility scissors, cut out a 14 x 18inch center piece from the backsplash panel to create an approximately 3inchwide frame.

Step 4: Use Liquid Nails to attach the frame to the plywood. Clamp and allow to dry.

Step 5: Attach hanging hardware to the back of the plywood, and hang on the trellis.

Make it: Framed Chalk Board

Step 1: Cut the sheet of plywood to 20 x 24 inches.

Step 2: Lightly sand the plywood, and then apply several coats of chalkboard paint, allowing each coat to dry.

Step 3: Using utility scissors, cut out a 14 x 18inch center piece from the backsplash panel to create an approximately 3inchwide frame.

Step 4: Use Liquid Nails to attach the frame to the plywood. Clamp and allow to dry.

Step 5: Attach hanging hardware to the back of the plywood, and hang on the trellis.

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Lowe’s List

Skill level: Intermediate

Rough cost estimate: $1,620*

Rough time estimate: 1 week**

Greenhouse : $1,185
Patio/paver materials : $275
Accessories and lighting : $90
Framed chalkboard : $40
Copper stakes : $30

Greenhouse

greenhouse kit (6 x 8foot, STC EasyGrow, Special Order)
patio/paver materials
patio blocks (12inchsquare, red, #19184)
pea gravel (#92130)
paver base (#100166)
paver sand (#71359)
accessories and lighting
black stack bins (#291204***)
ladder trellis (#89347***)
solarpowered lights (#127456)

Framed chalkboard

1 sheet of plywood, 14inch x 2 x 2foot***
chalkboard paint (Valspar, #203261)
1 tinlook backsplash panel (Cracked Copper, #240705)
Liquid Nails for Small Projects (#220816)
picture hanging hardware (#210920)

Copper stakes

soft copper tubing (#23050)
ceramic planter (12inch)

*Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market, or the cost of tools and plants.

**Does not include lead time for Special Order materials.

***Availability varies by market.

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Passion for Planting

Lowe’s List

Rough cost estimate: $1,620*

Rough time estimate: 1 week**

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