This is how my little greenhouse is looking at the moment, jam packed to the rafters with pots and containers. Some of the plants being given some protection at the moment would come through winter outdoors, however, their pots wouldn't so rather than move them in to a more durable container, it's easier to move them in to the greenhouse.
You may have caught sight of the auriculas which Cheryl from Take Time To Smell The Flowers..... sent me in the photo above. I wrote about them in A Wonderful Surprise post back in June. Unfortunately, since then one has died, however, in the meantime, she'd sent me another one, this time a red one and that one seems to be doing well.
Some plants are still flowering. The mild autumn coupled with a bit of protection has prevented the plants from having a rest and the pelargoniums and rudbeckia are blooming away. Lots of weeds are growing in the pots too, they all need a really good sort out. They should have had one before being moved to the greenhouse but it was a case of rushing to get them in there before the snow fell a couple of weeks ago, so that's a job which still needs attending to.
The greenhouse didn't escape unscathed in the gales last weekend, a couple of panels blew out and ended up in neighbour's gardens, it's a good job they're not glass. We managed to find all but one of them so there's a big gaping hole in the roof at the moment. Luckily, we've got a spare panel in the loft. Mick's been away to Poland on business but he's due back in the early hours of tomorrow morning so that will be his first job when he's got a free moment.
So, as you can see, my greenhouse may not be huge but it's extremely handy and I'm pleased to have it.
I do envy your greenhouse, I can imagine how useful it is. Alas a greenhouse wouldn't survive the flying footballs and golf balls and goodness knows what else around here. Maybe one day... CJ xx
ReplyDeleteThere used to be footballs and other things flying around the garden, that's the reason I didn't go for glass. Daniel and Eleanor were a little older when I got it though so it's survived pretty well.
DeleteYou certainly are making good use of your greenhouse. I've dreamed of a greenhouse for many years - they are nowhere near as common here as they are in the UK and even smaller, basic ones are quite expensive. Maybe once the garden is done - or as done as gardens ever get...
ReplyDeleteI'd wanted a greenhouse for many years and though it's small, it's extremely useful. I'd love a bigger one but just don't have the space at the moment.
DeleteI love the way you've captured and taken that last photo, the wintry sky looks great.
ReplyDeleteGreenhouses are such a boon for gardeners ... and can also have other uses! Looking back with very fond memories ... I learnt to roller skate in my Great Aunt Liz's. I wonder what my balance on skates would be like now !! Don't think I'll try it. LOL!
Glad you got away fairly lightly in these present storms, many have had a very bad experience as the news items have shown.
Happy Wednesday
All the best Jan
We've plenty of wintry skies to choose from to photograph at the moment, this one was taken this morning, it's much colder here today. Your Aunt Liz's greenhouse must have been big, you wouldn't manage to move on roller skates in my tiny one. I count my blessings that there wasn't much damage caused by the wind here, as you say, there are many people suffering terribly because of the flooding, my heart goes out to them.
DeleteWith the staging it is suprising what you can get in, I think I might get hubby to make me a bit more, x
ReplyDeleteYou're right, staging with different tiers is great. My dad gave me the staging you can see in the photo and another one the same, though that isn't being used in the greenhouse at the moment.
DeleteA post like this does make me a tiny bit envious because as you know I don't have a greenhouse on the plot, and really don't have space for even a small one. I sometimes walk round the allotment site and wonder why some people bother to have one as all they seem to do is fill them with assorted bit and pieces rather than plants. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, some people would be better off with a shed rather than a greenhouse as they only fill them with old pots and tools. It's a bit annoying to people who would make very good use of a greenhouse and use one for its intended purpose.
Deletemy small lean too greenhouses are full as well, they are useful at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteMy greenhouse is well used in summer but just as well used over winter too, I don't know what I'd do without it now.
DeleteLoving your little green house. We have to take what we can get. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWe do. I wouldn't be able to fit anything larger in to the garden at the moment so this size has had to do, but I wouldn't be without it.
DeleteIt may sound silly, but I'm thinking of moving our greenhouse to a shadier place. It would lose the sun about 3.00 in the afternoon in summer. Theory is that in summer it gets too hot where it is now (apart from being slam in the middle of the garden and not very pretty) and in winter it won't matter because the trees will have lost their leaves. Am I being silly?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you suffered damage in the storms.
I don't think you're being silly. I know lots of people suffer problems with their greenhouse because it gets too much sun. Though my greenhouse is in a shady spot, I'd rather it be here than in full sun the whole day. We were really lucky in the storms, the greenhouse suffered because of the wind and so did a fence panel but we got off very lightly compared to other poor folk.
DeleteHi Jo, The last pic of my post(even tho you can't tell)has 3 thin pipes and hooks for feeding the birds. The mobility of the feeder came in handy for taking pictures of the birds up-close. I used to have it near my kitchen window.
ReplyDeleteYes, I see that now. It's good that you're able to move it around to suit.
DeleteA greenhouse is invaluable however small. I know I keep going on about the benefits of our covered way which acts as a greenhouse, but the little plastic
ReplyDeleteone which is in a sheltered corner and more of a place to bring on seedlings, overwinter a few plants, and store hand tools is useful. I would love to start a collection of auriculas - something to think about in the future.
Like you say, somewhere sheltered, even if it isn't an actual greenhouse, is so useful. I love auriculas. I've admired them for many years but never succumbed so Cheryl sent me some mini plants to start me off. It's a shame one's died but I'm looking forward to seeing the other three flower.
DeleteYou certainly make good use of your greenhouse. I'm trying to decide whether I ought to take some pelargonium cuttings just as a security in case we have a very poor winter this year. We can't get away with mild winters far too much longer can we?
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken any cuttings at all this year. My pelargoniums have come through the last couple of winters unscathed but as you say, we're going to get hit hard soon.
DeleteGreenhouses are invaluable, as you say. I wouldn't be without mine either. It's a good job you have spare panels, I hope it's sorted soon.xxx
ReplyDeleteWe changed all the greenhouse panels a couple of years ago and we bought spares at the same time. It's good to have some on hand for these sort of eventualities.
DeleteI love those flowers...it's like a little reminder that spring is coming...eventually!
ReplyDeleteThey just haven't stopped flowering all year, it's down the the mild autumn we've had.
DeleteI wish that I could send some of my plants to overwinter with you. It is great that you have somewhere to keep your plants safe and cared for over the winter. I do hope that the damage isn't bad and will be fixed soon. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I could fit many more plants in the greenhouse but it certainly serves its purpose. We were very lucky here, not much damage caused by the wind, it could have been worse.
DeleteHmmm, yes, I'd like a greenhouse for the same reasons, but for now I'm making do with the little plastic ones. At least they are easy to move around - sometimes TOO easy (in the winter storms)!
ReplyDeleteI used to use the little plastic greenhouses before I had this one, I still do actually. They give me extra space if I use them as intended but I also use them inside my proper greenhouse at the start of the season to give my seedlings a little extra protection.
DeleteI love my greenhouse. It's also overwintering at the moment. I often retreat into it when the boys get too much. It's a very calm space.
ReplyDeleteLeanne xx
I wish my greenhouse was big enough that I could get a chair in there, it would be a lovely space to just sit and chill.
DeleteA greenhouse is very handy isn't it though mine seems to be protecting moss at the moment and not much else x
ReplyDeleteIt is handy. I love mine, though I'd love one just a bit bigger.
DeleteOh mine looks as crowded as yours Jo! I can just about manoeuvre myself in and out at the moment. Sorry to read about the damage to the panels. So far the greenhouse in the garden here has survived intact but the door of my greenhouse at the allotment blew out in November. It houses a grapevine which fortunately is big enough to fend for itself until himself could do a repair job.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure most greenhouses look like mine at the moment. They're busy structures in summer and perhaps more busy in winter. I'm sorry to hear that your plot greenhouse has suffered damage too but at least your lovely garden greenhouse remained intact.
DeleteHope you have got the missing panel restored, green houses are wonderful, ours is now full with overwintering plants.
ReplyDeleteIt's been such a busy week that it hasn't been repaired yet but we're one step closer as the panel in now out of the loft.
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