Atlas Insider
Something’s Gotta Grow
“Well I guess I’m just a greenhouse kind of gal.”
—Hannah, Age 38, (with apologies to Diane Keaton). Graphic Designer and Full Time Doodler at MDK. First Time Greenhouse Owner.
Location: Nashville, TN (Plant Hardiness Zone 7)
I’ll be covering the ins-and-outs of greenhouse gardening, something of which I’ve known quite literally nothing about until about two months ago. Qualified? Certainly not.
If you are a budding gardener, experienced gardener, just like to garden, or maybe you are garden curious, join the journey. We’re here for a good thyme, not a long thyme.
ENTRY 1: The Greenhouse
Gardening Tunes of the Day: Six Songs for Invisible Gardens by Green-House
Plan. Dig. Plant. Water. Prune. Weed. Fertilize. Water. Prune. Water. Harvest. Repeat.
Gardening for me has always been a place of solitary bliss. It’s methodical. Intuitive. Calming. Connecting. Grounding. A place where you can dig tired hands into clumps of earth, place a tiny plant, tend to the tiny plant, and watch it grow.
If you’re lucky, you may have a hefty supply of summer vegetables or a bug-ridden bouquet of wildflowers from seeds that you tossed out on a random Tuesday to see if they’d grow.
You may also have a batch of seed starters that were fried by the Tennessee summer sun and a pummelled-over sunflower garden bed at the side of your driveway. You forgot they were there as you scurried to work, perhaps a few minutes behind schedule with a full cup of coffee in hand.
Over the years in nearly every place I’ve lived, I have attempted gardening—a 3×3 foot plot where I successfully grew 2 miniature carrots and a single cherry tomato, a rock lined garden bed right outside of a ground-level window (to access the garden, you had to climb out of the living room window and not roll down a steep hill), and a top floor condo with am opportunity for urban gardening and, yet, no direct sunlight.
This year, my partner Chris and I purchased our first home—a one storey sagey-gray house complete with a fenced-in back yard and a full sun path.
So, when I get a text from my mom telling me to “Be on The Lookout” for a delivery of a heavy package and an entire ton of rocks in my driveway, I jittered with excitement and mild dread as I realize she has, in fact, mailed us a greenhouse as an early Christmas gift. The only catch? I’ve gotta build this d*mn thing myself. Love you, Mom…
The Build
The first installment? A rock floor. These specific rocks are called “Alabama Sunset.” They were chosen by my mom, who born and raised in Alabama. You see how she is making her mark here? Very mindful. Very demure.
To map out the plot, we laid down several sheets of landscape fabric and began lugging our newly acquired rocks with our also newly acquired wheelbarrow. Note: No step of this project was well-researched or planned, we solely built this area on “sure that works there” and good vibes.
The build was more time-consuming than difficult, but I must stress the importance of following each step-by-step instruction. Within the confines of my art-driven brain, there is another, more meticulous side, so it was surprisingly easy to just go page by page and to Lincoln-log this thing together.
Honest review: I love it. It is the best first greenhouse I’ve ever stepped into, mostly because it is a greenhouse and it is mine. Do I have big dreams of something reminiscent of these? You better be-leaf it. But for our maiden voyage, this one is just right.
Pros:
- IT IS SO CUTE.
- Easy to clean. (Recently proven after the last aphid infestation, but more on that later.)
- The locking door keeps humidity and heat in, and the cute pop-up window is functional when you need airflow.
- It just does the job. A hot house for plants? Check.
Cons:
- Height. This puppy sits just around 6′ high, which for me as a person of 5’4” is a small paradise, but others may feel a bit cramped in here.
- Durability. Again, I love this thing for the price and for the function. The panels are a bit flimsy so it’s not fully waterproof, and we had to bring our own floor.
TBD Pros/Cons:
- Comes with anchors to stabilize the greenhouse. So far, so good, even with a few windy days. We will cover more of this in the spring, where Nashville gets some of its best wild weather patterns.
- The logistics of rolling into the winter months with this little thing are daunting. Do I purchase an outdoor heater? Do I need to sleep out there for additional warmth for my plant babies? Will Ann or Kay knit my plants sweaters specifically with Atlas yarn in Pear, Tutu, and Lapis? Advice needed.
I just got around to hanging up twinkle lights just in time for Halloween (along with our greenhouse skeleton, who may be a year-round addition) and I can already say that my hoya has been thriving, my bulbs are happily nestled and waiting to be planted around the bird bath, and I’ve managed to keep my Nepenthes Pitcher Plant alive and well.
For a greenhouse newbie, it feels like kind of a big dill.
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This is such a fun read – Keep on blooming!
Wherever did you find this greenhouse? Need one!
Looks amazing! Good-luck growing beautiful plants!
Love this idea! Keep us posted!
Actually, I was nicknamed “Sally” as my Mother was also a Sarah. You guys are the only ones to know that besides my doctors office.
Ps, Wow on the greenhouse!
Oh girl, you Go! ❤
What a great gift! Look forward to your greenhouse adventures. Our first house had a small backyard where I learned to garden even though I grew up with gardeners & lived next to a farm. I asked for a wheelbarrow that first Xmas that I used for over 30 yrs. Always thought a greenhouse would be wonderful but never had one. You are going to have so much fun!!
Your best greenhouse friend is an automatic vent opener! Then you don’t have to trek out at odd times to open your pop-up window to release heat. Greenhouses get surprisingly hot, surprisingly fast.
Yay! Thanks for sharing and to your Mom!
Oh, I love everything about this. We absolutely need regular updates! Yes- Ann and Kay need to knit sweaters. If you put out a call from the crowds- you could have knitted sweaters galore- just like those poor penguins that got caught up in the oil spill. Congratulations on your first greenhouse.
Also, good job, Mom on a great gift.
This is amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Dear Hannah, What a delightful, inspirational piece. I have just completed a fairly successful summer season in my new raised beds though the season got a late start due to the protracted construction of aforementioned beds. I still have eggplants on the vine which did not decide to show their little purple faces until a couple of weeks ago. I live in Oklahoma so I experience the same wicked weather including a biblical hail storm in the late spring three days after planting my seedlings! Undaunted, I forged ahead into the gardening fray and, yes, ordered a greenhouse. It still sits in a box in the entry hall – it’s heavier than I imagined – from when I dragged it off the front porch. All this to say, you have inspired me to unpack the beast and attempt assembly before our all-too-brief autumn turns into another wicked season. Thank you for the lovely writing and the well-timed, carefully worded kick in the butt! Good luck and happy gardening!
Can’t wait to read the next installment of your adventure!
You will need a space heater. Get one that has a freeze guard. It will turn on automatically if the greenhouse temp gets below 40 degrees. They are inexpensive – around $40. Home Depot, Lowe’s & Amazon have them. Good luck!
I love the greenhouse. I want one! Too much shade in my heavily wooded lot, so I will live vicariously through your updates.
The greatest joyful garden (and knitting!) report I have ever scene!
This looks like a sweet item. I have doubts about it working in Minnesota winters. Or springs. Good luck!
Congrats on your building your greenhouse! As a long time Master Gardener, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that you can get a lot of great free information and advice about home gardening and landscaping (including greenhouses) tailored for your area from your local county Extension office and Master Gardener association. You can call or email questions to most Horticulture agents and / or MG helpline volunteers. And your local MGs will likely have some great plant sales too!
Extended garden season! What could be better? The rocks will absorb heat from the winter sun after the leaves lay as carpet upon the ground, awaiting their transformation to lovely compost. Any tender veggies can find haven in the walls of your garden retreat.
Placing some milk jugs painted black partially filled with water will also provide a small amount of night time heat.
Wishing you an abundance of curiosity as you delve into this new venture in gardening.
I love everything about this post and can’t wait to read more!
I love this adventure that you’re on, and I want to join you! I’ve wanted a greenhouse for years now, and I’m in awe that you’re taking the plunge!