Posted on 03/20/2015 12:49:03 PM PDT by greeneyes
If they have gardens, it will be an unbroken chain for my family. Farmers all the way back to the old country! Well, countries lol.
O, onions! We grew them last year, but I can’t recall if they were from seed or sets. Anyway, we had a decent harvest, but most were small. We still have a lot of teeny ones and plan to plant them. The seed box my husband started looked beautiful until he brought it upstairs. The dining table doesn’t get enough sunlight, but he ignores me.
I really got a tremendous kick out of using our own onions all winter long. For some reason I find the onions to be the most satisfying of the “I grew it myself” veg. Probably because I use onions in nearly everything. :) Plus - virtually no processing to store!
Look around for someone who bought one of those 5x8 greenhouses an discovered they weren’t into it. I got mine for $70 bucks or something like that.
Me too. I’m thinking that I could make one of those small ones for about 30 bucks. Get one of those plastic 4 shelf units from Walmart, and buy some heavy duty plastic enclose it.
Set it on the patio next to the brick wall facing southwest. When the sun is out, it would heat up the brick for release at night too. We have an outdoor electrical outlet, so could plug in a 100 watt bulb on one of those metal lights that you can hang....
Anything bigger, and Hubby would have to get involved, and the price would go up. I’d also have to get one of those automatic window opening temperature things.
I freely admit that I would otherwise let the heat build up too much or forget to close it for the colder night time temp. or something.
That’s a good idea.
I’d love to have one. It doesn’t have to be fancy.
Probably more than 6 years ago we watched a cooking show special, I think he was an Aussie chef who wanted to go into the schools and help them give better choices for the kids foods. Way before Michelle. I remember he went to one class they looked like they were second graders with a bunch of vegetables. Kids could not identify things like potatoes, tomatoes, asparagus, they just had no idea. Sad.
I got the 6x8 and with two shelves on either side 4ft long I can hold 20 trays of 72 seedlings each with a potting bench on the end. So that’s 1440 seedlings. I only use half that.
I agree , howewever the cost of new is expensive.
On the other hand , a 'cold frame' can be built just out of sahses that have been discarded from someone remodeling, either cheap or free.
A 'Cold Frame', properly positioned to the southern direction , can extend your season by 1 1/2 - 2 months, and uses earth to insulate.
Here in Western New york, the average 'frost line ' is 24 inchess
Recently , the Water Authority announced that this winter's 'frost line' here is 42 inches, almost twice as deep as normal.
We have many home burst pipes , and leakey Water Authority waterlines as a result of this winter .
Cyclical Bear is right, many people get full greenhouses, and then get disenchanted with them
I believe in going cheap , if the occassion arises , and a cold frame meeets my needs.
I want so much to get my garden started but my husband and the big kids are out of town this weekend. I’m 33 weeks pregnant and not moving/bending well anymore. Also, I lost two more chickens last night. At this rate we’ll have to build Fort Knox and start all over. They weren’t laying well anymore anyway. Old girls. So many obstacles in my way this year! However, I have purchased seeds and my dad is offering to help a bit this spring so I’m not giving up yet!! I have my starter tray ready to go. It’s just going to have to wait one more week.
I hear you, but my interest in a greenhouse is to allow for a 12 month option of growing plants and starting seeds.
Good show !.. and you can expand !
I like your idea of getting a greenhouse from someone who got disenchanted with greenhouse ownership
Sorta reminds me about the difference between a grain farmer and the dairy farmer.
The grain farmer went on vacation , but the diary farmer was married (required attention 3 times a day) with his herd.
There is less watering and attention given to the cold frame , than to the greehouse.
For the record, I have worked in a commercial greenhouse (4 acres under glass/plastic), florist , doing cuttings, transplants, and retail and commercial sales.
If you are committed to a twelve month growing season ,
you are already married to it (grain farmer /dairy farmer), and have your priorities set.
Then take Cynicalbear's suggestion and look for one avialable for sale either on Craigslist, or some other reseller in your area.
I looked on Craigslist. :)
Happy first day of Spring to everyone from No. California!!
Just planted my corn seeds. And a variety of squash.
Will be using lots of mulch due to the drought we are having.
Trying to preserve water!
Then broaden your search to your area of the state within comfortable transportational distance.
Next talk to seed houses , supply stores, AGWAY, florists and Co Operative Extension office to see if anyone has contacted them, or if a business is going 'out of business'.
Or , you could go through some "DIY (Do It Yourelf) books at the library to see if you can build one according to your desired size, IMHO ;-)
I have some issues with my back, so I really appreciate and old patio table that I can use to put some pots on and grow stuff in pots.
I also have 4 raised beds that are located on a hill side next to my patio. There is a retaining wall running along the perimeter of most of the patio. The beds are terraced along this wall and facing southwest - the house and retaining wall shelters the north-east side.
Two of the beds are located far enough up the hill that I can stand on the patio and plant stuff without bending over, and also short enough that my belly is above the wall. Sometimes I take one of my larger pots and turn it upside down and sit next to the other beds.
I also have some 20 inch logs standing on end, and placed strategically so that I can sit and rest while weeding etc.
Been a loooong time since I was expecting, but I can still remember and sympathize.
I'm not finding that to be true all the time. I've had cold frames also and they need attention every day as well. During the day they can get scorching hot if not opened. The automatic openers on the green house eliminate at least that step. I've also got the needed supplies for an automatic waterer if I need it. There are of course benefits and drawbacks to both.
Thanks, TIK. :)
Glad to hear you are one session closer to finishing up. Hope you are in good spirits.
On our way to Rodeo and it is pouring on 10. Looks like an arena day tomorrow.
Got my beans into the ground. If I can find time next weekend I want to put another 4x4 in the ground. Now that I am sein bees I feel encouraged. My spinach looks great and the artichokes and tomatoes are dong nicely. Did have to cut back my rosemary bush.
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