The Greenhouse Dream

For as long as I can remember, and as long as I have been passionate about gardening, I have always dreamt that one day, I would have my very own greenhouse.

It was 1997, and my future husband and I were attending the annual BC home and Garden Show. One of the exhibitors was BC Greenhouse Builders, they had on display one of their Twin Wall Polycarbonate Greenhouses. I recall so clearly, walking in and saying "Some day I want a greenhouse just like this". Being just 21, I didn't know exactly when this was going to happen, I just knew it was something to dream about.

Fast forward 15 years, now having established myself in a house with the space to accommodate such a dream, my only limitation was budget.

Having lived in my new house for 6 months and with the warm days of spring calling to me. My thoughts of gardening at the forefront, an article in the local paper caught my eye "Garden Room No Longer A Pipe Dream". Oh the excitement that article and pictures brought to me, it renewed my longing for a greenhouse. I showed my Husband and told him "Here it is, this is the greenhouse I was dreaming about" It was an article that featured a BC Greenhouse Builder greenhouse. The same one I saw 15 years earlier at the Garden Show.

I decided to clip out the article and mount it nicely on some card stock and display it in prominent place in my kitchen. I had recently watched an Oprah show on vision boards, where you put a collection of things be it pictures, words and such that represent your hopes and your vision for your life and serve as a daily reminder of your aspirations and what you want your life to be.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/O-Dream-Board-Envision-Your-Best-LifeTM#ixzz1jYu5j3HA

The article printed May 2oth, it was framed and put up in the kitchen as a daily reminder.

Being a believer in the power of positive thinking, I put it out there in the universe that I was looking for a greenhouse, hoping to attracted one to me.

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/The-Law-of-Attraction-Real-Life-Stories_1

Doing one of my usual craigslist searches for greenhouses, I came upon this posting. When I saw this I thought OMG this is it, this is the greenhouse I had been dreaming about. I have been looking on craigslist for years, even before I had the space for a greenhouse, and I can honestly say I have never seen a posting for this type of greenhouse. This is the exact one that I wanted, the one that only 6 days earlier I had put it out there is the universe to bring to me. Not only that but the $850 price tag was an attainable figure for me. A new one would probably run me about $3000 including taxes and shipping, and that wouldn't have been happening for at least a few more years.

I immediately e-mailed the seller, this add was posted on the 23rd of May and it was now the 26th. I thought that for sure it was going to be gone by then but it was worth a try. I didn't get a response and getting really antsy I sent another e-mail saying I was reeeeeeally interested in it and gave my phone # so as to avoid any delays. That night at about 7:30 I received a phone call from the seller, she said it was still available but she had someone who said they were coming the next day to look at it. Well, I didn't like the sound of that, being that it was only located about a 15 minute drive from me I asked if I could come tonight and take a look. She agreed and I was off, the sun was going down but there was still going to be enough light to take a good look. I arrived and said right away yes, and gave her $100 and said I would be back the next day with the rest and to start to dismantle it. It came with benches which was a bonus, and that was that, I now own a greenhouse!!

Choosing the site

Choosing the right site was important. I already knew when we purchased the home what area would make the perfect spot for a greenhouse. A place that gets the most light, with the longest wall facing south.

This was it, but first I needed to remove the tree and existing plant material that was in the way. I advertised the Plum tree on craigslist and had someone come and dig it up and take it away. The other plants were tired and just went into the green bag.

Next was to install the electrical, I dug the trench and my husband took care of the rest. Roughly placing the metal base to get an idea of where to run the electrical, where to remove the grass and where to dig for the base.

Next digging the trench, and leveling the ground.

Once the trenches were dug, I layed landscape fabric down not to prevent weeds but to keep the gravel and dirt separate. Adding the gravel to the trenches took some patience, stopping to make sure everything was level.

The one trick to this install, was the fact that the back yard isn't flat, there is a slight hill, right were the greenhouse was going to be sitting. You can see by this picture the west side is just above the level of the grass with the east side about a foot below.

Next, installing the metal flashing around the edge of the ceder posts.

Laying out and securing the front and back frame. Getting ready for installation.

And up she goes, with the frame up and secured, next is to clean and reinstall the panels. I must tell you, it took a long time to get to this point. Weeks to clean all the framing of old caulking and washing and scrubbing the panels, a little sweat equity, but I was enjoying the process.

And here we have it, the final product, re-assembled and ready to grow. I started the process in May, I gave myself a time line of having it finished by the end of the summer and this was the September long weekend and it's done and I'm so happy.

It has two automatic vents.

To me a greenhouse represents endless possibilities.

Fast forward to January 2012, and with just a few things overwintering in the greenhouse, the fun is just beginning. With the seed catalogs arriving, I can now look at them with new eyes, so much more is now possible.

One thing I would have to say about this greenhouse, it is a BC Greenhouse Builder, the Sun Garden style greenhouse.

http://www.bcgreenhouses.com/hobby_greenhouse_kits/special_offer.php

When I phoned up a said I needed to reinstall my sun garden greenhouse they were more than helpful. When ordered the new foam tape they were able to tell me exactly how much I needed and had the special sealant and caulking needed also, to top it all off they sent me the installation manual and DVD. What service. I would highly recommend them if you are looking to buy a greenhouse. These are well build, I can vouch for that, considering this was the second time my greenhouse had been moved.

Front Garden Renovation Spring/Summer 2011

Front yard before the renovation

This yard has a lot of grass, which makes it look like a really large yard, however it doesn't take you on a journey. You can see it all from any angle, boring. I feel like the circle bed around the tree trunk is way to small for the canopy, it needs to be larger to balance out the tree.

Front yard before the renovation

The plantings around the tree are planted way to close, and upon closer inspection, the soil has been piled up around the base by a few inches, a no no. You always want to plant a tree at the same level as for which it was grown in the pot, or at the level from the first roots protruding out of the trunk.

Front yard before the renovation

Boring, your eye just goes right to the street, and the 20 year old junipers hide the front of the house. Even thought the front of the house doesn't get a whole lot of light, there are a lot more interesting plant material that can liven up the space.

After the removal of the junipers from the front of the house

After the removal of the junipers you can now see the brick underneath the windows. After breaking up and the turning the soil, I had some volunteer pumpkin seeds sprout. I wasn't planning on putting in any plant material till next year, so what better way to fill the space and for the kids to have the experience of growing their own pumpkins. I also planted some of the plants I brought over from the townhouse garden, my Stargazer Lily's and Red Azalea. I also moved the boxwood's from other area's of the yard.

A simple Red Geranium and Bacopa display was created in some terracotta pots. I have always loved the look of Geraniums in those pots, it has such a Old English kinda feel, the patina it develops over time is beautiful.

This picture was taken early in the morning, in the summer. You can see that this area does get a little direct sun, which is good to keep in mind when deciding on what to plant.

My little helpers are assisting in the creation of the larger circular bed around the tree trunk.

Now your eye doesn't go to the street, it is stopped by the new beds

I have created a new bed by the base of the street lamp and moved one of the existing mature azalea's, it was originally planted in front of the window between the junipers. Also planted there is a collections of found Iris's, Clematis Montana, being trained up the lamp post and a California Lilac, the bees will love. A new small bed was created by the Hedge that is now planted with a Hydrangea.

The new larger bed around the tree really shows off the beauty of the trunk. I will be filling it with naturalizing bulbs like Snow Drops, Grape Hyacinth, Daffodils, and some Lady's Mantle that I grew from seeds that volunteered themselves.

When renovating the garden, I didn't want to jump in and fill the space right away with plant material. Taking the time to study the soil conditions and light levels of each area of the yard is important. Leaving the garden beds prepared and ready for plants is a great thing to do. I'm really enjoying shopping for new plants, wandering the nursery's and knowing if I find something I love, there will be a spot available right away to plant it.

It's Been A While, But I'm Still Here.

Spring 2011, front yard

Like the title says It's been a while but I'm still here. After moving from Richmond to Ladner in October of 2010, I was fortunate to purchase this beautiful 2 story 2500sq home with my Husband. As you can see from the picture above, this house has definite curb appeal, and a front yard that holds so many possibilities. It is on a lot about 45ft wide by 95ft deep, not sprawling by any means but, being a corner lot, we gain about 10 or so feet of city right of way, that is maintained as part of the property. North facing front with a south facing backyard, It was perfect for my green thumb.

Side front yard, with the "bonus" space.

As you can see from the photo above, the "bonus space" right of way really adds to the yard. Before the previous owners replaced the fence with an Emerald Green hedge, the fence went from the street side of the gate down the remaining length of the property.

Facing north, side "bonus" space.

Facing south, side "bonus" space.

As you can see there is a lot of grass at this point, but I have other plans. When I first looked at the back yard. I knew right away, where I was going to put my Greenhouse. I have always dreamt of having a greenhouse, that was defiantly on my list of must haves for a property.

South east corner facing north.

Back yard facing west.

As you can see from the picture, the back yard isn't very deep. Although it is south facing, it does hold some challenges in that the fence, and the side of the neighbours house, shade the yard to varying degrees depending of the time of day and season.

Back yard, facing east.

You can see from the shadow on the lawn, the challenge I was talking about. I will definitely have to do some research on shade loving plants for that portion.

South east corner

Back yard west corner facing east

South corner facing north down the fence.

Well that' the tour, sorry that it took me so long to get it posted. I was thinking last night as to why I haven't gotten around to posting an entry for a while. I really do like keeping an online diary of my gardening experiences, then it came to me. Since we moved, I no longer keep my laptop next to my comfy rocker recliner on the living room. It's been in the kitchen telephone nook, duh, why didn't I realize this before. So I have now moved the laptop to it's more comfortable location next to my chair. Just that simple. I will most certainly be keeping my online gardening diary more up to date from now on.

Oh and here is a picture of things to come. It has been over a year since we moved in and I have done a lot in that time so stay tuned.

A peak at inside the greenhouse, January 1, 2012

I've Moved, Good Bye Richmond Hello Ladner

So the last 6+ months have been busy, last July we bought a house in Ladner. The months that followed were spent packing up, fixing up, moving around and unpacking, and there are still boxes that haven't found a home. This also means that I haven't done really any gardening in that time, except for cutting my new lawn, boring. Well my new house on a modest lot will provide plenty to post about. Lots to do and plan with this place. Stay tuned for more posts.

Thanks,
Heather

The Townhouse Garden - June Update, Back Garden

Well, it's a little bit delayed, but, here is the rest of my June update.

On one of only a handful of sunny day's I was able to snap some pic's.

The cushions are on the chairs, and the garden for the most part is planted.

Things have greened up and the roses are setting there buds.
The tomatoes "Bonny Best" have been planted, grown from seed I saved last year. Cages in place and ice cream buckets (bottom removed) are buried about 1 1/2" into the soil. Tomatoes like alot of water and with my soil, the water just seems to roll away when I water. With these additions, the water fills the buckets and slowly seeps down to the roots of the plant.
I have a total of 7 tomatoes here. A few volunteer Mullen, The two grapes are showing some growth. I have a New York Musket and the one in the back ground reaching for the Tomato cage is a Concord, a cutting started from an original plant located in Cougar Annies Garden http://www.boatbasin.org/history.htm

I didn't plant much in the veggie patch this year just a bit of this and that. Along the an abundance of volunteer Parsley and Mullen.

Some Onion sets, yellow and red, really easy to grow.

Another view of the Tomatoes, Concord Grape and Mullen.

The large stand of Hollyhocks I grew from seed last year, a biennial, they will flower this year. It looks like a forest of them. As seedlings they were small, so I planted them close together, never having grown Hollyhocks before. Last year they stayed small, but this year they are huge, I will have to re-think where I plant them in the future. Maybe only one here and there, not grouped as I have done here, I can barely get into the garden.Lots of new Raspberry canes have popped up this year.

The First rose bloom of the season, "Black Magic" a Jackson & Perkins rose.

And the Hydrangea, lots of flowers this year. They are just starting to turn colour.

The Townhouse Garden - June Update, Front Garden

Finally, the sun has come out after what seems like an eternity if rain. I grabbed my camera and took a walk through the garden to see what was growing, and here is what I saw.

The Ferns are lush and green and the Rhodo I transplanted last year is in full bloom.

I don't know the name if this one, but I do like the blush coloured flowers. This shady location, I think, is perfect. If it were in a sunny spot, the delicate colour in the flowers would have been washed out by now. The Japanese Maple "Bloodgood" is looking great, the deep purple leaves is a nice contrast to the green of the garden. The feathery white flower stalks of the Astilbe with the green of the Christmas Fern are a nice combination
Lavender "Fred Boutin" has sent out it's long flower stalks, given a few weeks, this will be a beautiful display of purple lavender wands, swaying in the wind, buzzing with bee's
The red Azalea (bottom left) has finished blooming, the Lady's Mantel (center) has put out a lot of green growth, and the flower stalks are developing. The yellow Alyssum "basket of gold" is on it's second bloom and the Dianthus"pinks" are just starting to bloom. I really like the grey evergreen foliage of this plant. It makes a great border plant, allowed to cascade over bricks or rocks. It spreads slowly, and is easily kept in check.The window boxes filled with seed Geraniums are well on there way to something fantastic. I have already seen a few flowers forming. This plant purchased as a small seed Geranium was a great deal, if you are willing to wait for it to grow. I really thing these plants do better planted young rather that at a flowering mature state. The mature ones tend to get leggy as they grow and finish before the even get started. With the seed Geraniums I will get a full season of interest and flowers from them. I'm also going to try taking cuttings in August to keep them going over the winter. We will see how that goes, that will be a future post. The Dahlia's (left) are growing slowly, the newly planted Echinacea "purple coneflowers"(center) are settling well into their new home. Pieris Japonica (right) has also put on a lot of growth this spring.

While the Iris has finished blooming (front), the Rose of Sharon "red heart" has put on a lot of growth, once flowering, in July, this plant will continue till frost.Sedum "autum joy" (front) has spread and filled in the void quite nicely.

Lonicera Periclymenum (late dutch honeysuckle) vine is flowering, but not as much as last year. I don't know if that is because of the weather this year or my lack of pruning last year. I was lucky enough to find a rooted branch of this vine years ago. The parent plant being at my parents house. I have fond memories of warm spring nights, where this scent of this highly fragrant vine, would fill the air around the house. I can remember riding my bike home in the evening and having it's intoxicating scent greet me as I rode into the drive way.

One of my favorite things to do with this honeysuckle is to cut a few sprigs, put them in a bud vase and place them on the headboard beside my pillow. That way I can smell it all night long. The funny thing is that come morning, the scent isn't as strong as it is at night.

These fall mums were planted a few years ago, and are still doing well. Some have even started to bloom already.

My rose "abraham darby" hasn't liked all the rain that we have been getting. Most of the first wave of blooms were lost to the rain, and the shrub is looking a little flat. This being a rambler rose, I really should have it trained and supported along the fence. Another thing to add to my to do list.

The rhubarb has put out some good growth this season, I should harvest a few stalked before it gets to late.

The Lilac tree needs to be dead headed, the blooms were so beautiful this year. All the Lavender is doing really well this season.

The Wisteria has been putting on a lot of growth, I have added another wire guide to the front fence.The blue grass is looking really blue and has a few flower stalks emerging, not bad for a free craigslist plant. I have also planted some sunflower transplants and marigolds along the front of the fence. The Ginkgo Biloba trees has put out a lot of leaves in it's third year at this location.

Finding a will and a way to go green

Recently, The City of Richmond introduce a new Food Scraps Composting Program for which all homeowners could participate, with some exceptions.

I wrote into our local newspaper in response to a letter on the topic, which was published, it is as follows:

Finding a will and a way to go green

Editor:

In a follow up to Carrie Sproviero’s letter in the May 22 paper (“Why can’t townhomes be part of composting program?”), I too was an eager Richmondite wanting to participate in the new Food Scraps Composting Program.

Unfortunately, I also live in a townhouse complex, which at this time, only has the basic blue box program which I’m an avid use of.

After reading the reasons for apartment and townhouse complexes being excluded from the program, I can understand why, but that doesn’t diminish my desire to what to do the right thing for our environment.

So, it was time to think outside the box, and use the guide lines set out for individual home owners “You are welcome to set out multiple green cans and unlimited paper yard trimmings bags” to my advantage.

I went out and purchased my nifty green wheeled can with locking lid (Rona) and proceeded to fill it up with all things accepted.

When garbage/recycle day came I happily rolled my green can all the way to the individual homeowner across the street and set my can with theirs.

Now feeling quite satisfied, I to “can” participate in the program. I’ve made it work for me now and I encourage other excluded individuals to do the same.

Where there is a will, there is a way!


Heather
Richmond

Wordless Wednesday - Just Hangin Out