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?
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FROM THE WEEKLY PODCAST
rethinking the lawn, with dan wilder
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
Now that is my kind of greenhouse. Economic and reusable!
God bless Ziploc.
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.
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.
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.
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!
@Writermom: This is a great idea. I have two discarded aquariums I have been wondering what to do with…hmmm….guess I know now.