Lean-to Type Greenhouse

What an GREAT idea!!! I am not familiar with the weather in Louisiana, so forgive me if I ask a “dumb” question. It looked like you have what we call here in Michigan “indoor plants”. Do you grow these plants all year around outside … but when cold weather is predicted put them in your “winter storage” for a short period of time than place them back within the yard. Or do these plants stay in there all winter?

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Great greenhouse! Lucky plants

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Thats a great idea. I wonder if you put it next to a basement window, if the heat from the house would suffice?

I have always wanted a greenhouse but in my neck of the woods, winter is long and hard. When I built my shop/barn I ran another feed line from the in floor radient heat to a corner that faces South West in the hope that some day I could attach a lean-to type green house with in floor radient heat. I have a wood lot so my heat source (indoor wood fired boiler) is free…..........sorta

We spend a few thousand dollars every year on flowers and I would rather grow my own.

-- Central northish Ontario

few thousand?? Yah.. grown your own! haha :)
I’d like to learn more about a cold frame and how I can extend my vegetable garden time into the colder months by using one. So far, it looks like Kale would be a good plant to try it with.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

LOL—Greenthumb you are my “hero” ... a few thousand on flowers!!! Dream come true!!! Oh wait, you have acres … I have “postage stamp” ... “bad dream, bad dream” as my husband says—hahahaha!!!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Nice greenhouse! And, nice contents of same!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

GrandmaT…........a postage stamp size lot with a grand worth of flowers would look spectacular. the 2 grand is a combination of what my in laws, wife and I spend and it includes tree, bush, flowers and veggie purchases.

I live in the country and some folk around here do a “swap”. halving the perrenials etc…......and a walk through the swampy bush areas can yield some way too cool native flowers. I found a large patch of “Lady’s Slippers” a few years back in the middle of no mans land but wont dig it up until I have the perfect spot for them…...........they are a sentimental orchid.

MsDebbie

I find that cold frames work better in the spring then fall. I put them down in the garden to warm the soil before planting but all and all. relatives dont even think about planting their garden until its hot out….....like middle end of June and they have a garden that doubles my output at half the size….........so I doubt I will be doing cold frames this year. Also, by the fall I am tired of the garden so we do a rush, pick it clean,can it, freeze it, give it away, then dump sheep manure on it and walk away. I save the fall for transplanting trees.

-- Central northish Ontario

Greenthumb … your yard is gorgeous that is for sure and you can truly see all the effort that you and your family puts into it. I just had to kid ya a bit … ;-)

Truth be told … I do spend a fair amount of money each year … probably more than I should. But I do love to pick up a little of this and a little of that … ALL summer. Hubby and I have this standing joke cuz I’ll buy a plant or two (of course after I have done my major flower plantings and baskets), come home and say, “I’m done” and then next weekend find something else I want and say again, “Really, I’m done this time” ... he just shakes his head, says “Yup, I know” and laughs. He is good hearted about my gardening … and he loves the way the yard looks.

I did swaping back at the old house with friends and loved to walk around my gardens and remember who I got what plant from … now, I am starting from scratch, there was nothing at this new house to work with. But then I like a good challenge …

Would love to see a picture of those “Lady’s Slippers” this summer. Bet they are gorgeous in bloom!! I did not realize orchids would grow outside in “northern” country.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

this past fall I had some fresh spinach AND some leaf lettuce (I have no idea why it came up after a frost). It was a fine fresh salad from the garden. This year I hopefully have carrots to dig and I’d like to try kale – but first I have to see if I like the taste :)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Deb, what a great surprise to find the spinach and lettuce after the frost!! Yes, I imagine it was a MIGHTY FINE SALAD indeed …

I just can’t wait to see everyone’s gardens (both flower and vegetable) come spring!!! So much wonderful planning and dreaming. I think everyone should tie their camera around their necks when they head outside this spring/summer … :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

I usually do have my camera ready but this year, with all this inspiration here at GT, I will probably only have my planting tools with me!!! :)
it is definitely going to be an exciting year.

Judie – I even mentioned chickens to Rick and he kinda vetoed that :)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

That is a great idea! I have fooled around and let some plants get hit with freezing temps and could use a green house. I will definitely use the idea.

-- Jen, Zone 8 SC, http://www.woodlandchic.com

Wow, that’s a great little greenhouse! Mind if I ask how you attached the plastic to the frame? I’ll be getting to that part of my cold-frame project soon & have this visual image of stapling the plastic to the frame, then the wind ripping the whole thing apart. Just wondering. Thanks!

-- Gardening in the North! (zone 3/4) http://www.HealthyLivingDIY.com