The Greenhouse Project: Inspiration

Very little progress has been made on the greenhouse shed project yet.  The persistent rains combined with a much needed family vacation postponed construction, excavation and pretty much everything except for planning. But the planning is probably the most important part in any big project.  This is easily the biggest project I’ve attempted so far and I’m making sure to spend lots of extra time on the minute details. We settled on a location that would receive adequate winter sunshine yet mostly shade the rest of the year. I’ve gathered enough windows that every wall can be clear of opaque surfaces for plants to receive the light they need. There are even enough windows for the roof to provide light for the inside of the greenhouse. You’re probably wondering what I’m thinking about for the design. Today you’ll find out!
One of the places I frequent to read interesting posts on gardening is GardenWeb. There are all kinds of forums there from garden art to plant propagation to what else? Greenhouses! Among all these thousands of threads of information I found a link to Anna-Marie’s photos of her greenhouse that she built from recycled windows, reclaimed decking, and other materials that looks just perfect for my purposes.

The exact size and dimensions of the greenhouse will be different because of the windows that are being used. My greenhouse will also have to serve as a shed for the lawnmowers as well as the greenhouse which will require a set of doors large enough to fit the riding mower through. It also won’t have electricity, water hookups, or a phone line although my wife and I have discussed walkie-talkies so that I am not forever lost in the greenhouse…
Inside the shed Anne-Marie installed a sink and used folding table legs with balusters to create propagation tables for her plants. The flooring is partly made of reclaimed decking and the rest is made of discount paving stones. I’m aiming for stone or brick for the base of my greenhouse since they gather and store heat from the sun during the day and release the energy at night.
 
To read more about what Anne-Marie’s greenhouse check out her post: Wyndyacre’s greenhouse.
All greenhouse photos in this post are courtesy of Anne-Marie/Wyndyacre.
See how the Garden Shed is today: Dave’s Garden Shed

13 thoughts on “The Greenhouse Project: Inspiration”

  1. Oh Dave, this is going to be great! You must be overjoyed at the propect of all that propagation space. I already got ideas from the shed you showed, hanging the watering cans from poles. I already have two such poles for orchid hanging, but have gotten rid of so many of the orchids they are bare now. Stone pavers is such a good idea, as there will be lots of moisture in there and sometimes seeds might fall in between and sprout! I love when that happens. 🙂
    Frances

  2. Dear Dave that is an amazing green house to inspire you with yours !
    I only wish I had the room for one myself .. so I will have to enjoy everyone else's ? LOL
    Good luck with this project .. it will be a great one : )

  3. Anne-Marie's greenhouse is the perfect inspiration, Dave! I used gravel over hardware cloth to floor my greenhouse, btw. It drains beautifully and needless to say was very cost-effective. Looking forward to your next installment!

  4. You have some gorgeous windows with which to build your greenhouse Dave. I'm looking forward to watching your progress and seeing the finished project. I'm sure it will be beautiful and you'll spend many happy hours in there.

    Better rethink the phone or your friends and family will never find you ever again! 🙂

  5. Lola,

    I'm pretty excited to get this project going! Now if only the rain will quite for a while…

    Frances,

    Anne-Marie really had some nice ideas for it. You should take a look at the GardenWeb thread at her actual shed remodel. It's pretty cool too.

    Joy,

    I'm really glad we do have the space for one. I'll try to make it as interesting as possible for you!

    Darla,

    Greenhouses are the ultimate gardener's dream aren't they?

    OFB,

    I was going to do the same, at least initially. As I find paving stones or bricks on the cheap I'll add them. What kind of foundation base did you use for you greenhouse?

    Daisy,

    I can't wait!

    Wyndyacre,

    Thanks again for letting me use your photos for this post! It is such a great design. I've run across it on several other sites since initially finding it on GardenWeb which just shows how nice it is!

    Catherine,

    At least I don't have to do it in 48 hours like the Better Homes and Gardens Project!

    Heather,

    Feel free to offer suggestions on what you would do with yours. The more I can think of ahead of time the less I'll miss later!

  6. What a lovely lovely shed. I would love to have one here at Chiot's Run – sigh.

    Can't wait to see what you'rs looks like.

    I have a book that has a nice greenhouse made out of windows, I should send you some photos, you might like it.

Comments are closed.