A Way To Garden

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the new greenhouse

THIS WEEK I BUILT A GREENHOUSE. Well, to be more correct, Susan (who has worked with me in the garden for many years, for which I am endlessly grateful), built a greenhouse. Want to see her work of art?

instant greenhouse

instant greenhouse

Aren’t we clever girls, Susan and I? It was a little cold this last week and I wanted to start some Brussels sprouts, so we improvised. Susan built this little greenhouse to tuck them into, keeping them moist and warm, while they germinated. I set it on a bright windowsill, opening the seal a bit when it steamed up, and things are looking good after only a few days. Now they’re spending their days outside in strong light, and coming in for the evenings till they grow a little stronger. The price was right, by the way, and no building permits were required.
baby Brussels sprouts

7 comments
May 5, 2008

comments

  3. It’s a great greenhouse. I met an African Violet grower who used that kind of greenhouse AND just put the soil in the bag and added seeds/cuttings to it. No plastic tray. Seemed to work for him and he was selling rooted cuttings, “greenhouse” and all.

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  4. I knew you all would understand…thanks.
    @Carol: I love the idea of simplifying my design even more–maybe I will build another as you suggest. I think I can squeeze it out of the capital-expenditures budget this season.

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  5. I used peat pots this year and they rotted/molded. I had to wait until the plants matured enough to break the pots apart and repot in plastic…just a tip.

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  6. I had quite a successful greenhouse last year. I added some gravel and several inches of good soil to an old aquarium, and used the light on top to make a sort of terrarium. Very efficient, and my herbs were ready to go when spring arrived. I didn’t even have to worry about finding space beneath my only sunny window!

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Welcome! I’m Margaret Roach, a leading garden writer for 25 years—at ‘Martha Stewart Living,’ ‘Newsday,’ and in three books. I host a public-radio podcast; I also lecture, plus hold tours at my 2.3-acre Hudson Valley (NY) Zone 5B garden, and always say no to chemicals and yes to great plants.