Garden Goodness: It’s a Greenhouse!

So finally, after several years of putting it off, my husband and I finally put up the greenhouse kit we bought several years ago for about $250 (with a coupon – Harbor Freight!). I’m rather excited about it. As a novice Rocky Mountain gardener, one of the biggest annoyances I’ve encountered with the garden is that our growing season is never long enough. Once everything finally starts growing like crazy, September hits, we get a cold snap, and I lose entire tomato plants filled with tomatos.

Other veggies, like garlic, are like candy to Raccoons, and they’ll dig it up for a midnight snack. It would be safer to keep the garlic in pots inside the greenhouse. I also have some warm weather, sun loving plants (more tropical) that would likely enjoy some real sunlight instead of the indirect sunlight of our temperature controlled dining room, which stays at a balmy 68-70 degrees F year round. Not to mention I have a cat that keeps eating my indoor plants and poisoning herself, now requiring me to start seedlings in a locked room. Now, at least, I can try to start the seeds in the safety of the greenhouse. The only problem being that this is a solar greenhouse, which means I have to watch the temperature and humidity closely. I imagine I could add heat and cooling as needed.

This weekend I’m finishing up the floors in there (concrete pavers), adding some shelves, and moving the “humidity” system (i.e.a 5 gallon bucket of water with anti-mosquito tablets) in to see if I can start getting the temperature and humidity right for the plants. I’m also going plant shopping. The hibiscus are going to be moved out there for the summer and will come back in for the winter. I’m also going to start some veggies in there as a test to see how they do in the warmer, more humid (hopefully) environment. I’ll also be using the greenhouse to grow garlic this coming winter. I’ll do it old school — plant it on the winter solstice. It should winter over fine in there.

I’ve already installed the remote thermometer, but I need a solar shield for it to get a better, more accurate reading. Waiting for the company to recommend a solar shield so I buy the right size. Of course if any of you have any idea for a solar shield substitute, let me know. I’m rather excited about my little greenhouse and my gardening adventures for this growing season!