A new addition to my workshop! We completed the greenhouse seedling boxes this weekend, just in time for Spring...
... but with snowflakes fluttering in the wind and the cold temps, we were reminded it is still winter here. I was hoping for more of the white stuff to keep falling, but to no avail this weekend. It is so pretty when everything is freshly covered in snow and it makes the cold weather worth it! This is a pic of our place after a snow in 2009! You have to admit, it is pretty isn't it?
My wonderful husband, Walter, came up with a simple design for this project and the old windows we had stored in our shed were going to work perfectly.
We started by building a box out of cypress lumber.
The box is large enough to hold a shelf and have two levels of seedlings growing! Last spring I coudn't find a lot of the veggies I wanted in small plants and it was too late in the year to start the seeds. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is a successful new adventure in gardening for me this year. I found a clever idea on Pinterest from MarthaStewart.com using eggshells as the pots to grow your seeds in and once they are large enough you can plant them in the ground, right in the shells.
Now to figure out how to break the eggs just right for this project. Any tips? Anyways, a couple hours later we hinged the old windows onto the box we built and we were finished for now.
Now off to warm up and do some reading to learn more about this whole seed growing process!
'til next time,
Adina
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Love this! Well done, you two! Using those old windows was a brilliant idea. I hope you will grow many delicious, fresh veggies there and will enjoy them on your table and in your tummy. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura! How exciting to see a comment!!! I already have a collection started of broken washed out eggshells in a carton waiting for potting soil and seeds! (I'm actually hoping to sell the egg carton trays of tiny veggie plants at the farmers market, if we eat enough eggs)
ReplyDeleteI love how neat & tidy your little greenhouse is! =)
ReplyDeleteDorothy,
DeleteThank you for taking a peek and for the compliment!
Hi Adina, Do you heat the greenhouse at all, or is it just solar? At what outside temperatures can you start your seeds in here (I too live in a cold climate.)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Nice idea.
Beth
Beth,
DeleteThanks for stopping by. Gardening is new to me and last year I missed out on planting a few favorite veggies of mine, that happen to be cooler crops. Like broccoli, spinach and lettuce. So this year we built the greenhouse and I have two rounds of seeds started about two weeks apart so that I can harvest the veggies at different times. From what I've read the greenhouse should be around 70 degrees inside to start seeds. Mine is heated only by the sun. I haven't been methodical about the temp at all. I've just let the sun warm it during the day and so far, so good. I water the seedlings every other day or when the soil seems dry. I started my first round of seeds in the beginning of March and plan to plant them in my raised bed garden this weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by and asking.
Fantastic garden frame and a great way to use old windows.
ReplyDeleteThe greenhouse looks beautiful! Your dh did such a wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteIf you need to keep the temperature warmer and more even, I've heard of people using milk jugs painted black as a heat creator. I think the jugs may have been filled with water to hold the heat. Depending on how you set up the shelves, maybe the milk jugs go under the bottom row or at the back of the green house.
Barb,
DeleteThanks for stopping by and the compliment. I'll have to check into the milk jug thing!
Hi, Adina! I love your seed-starting box - very nicely done, and I'm planning on featuring it at this week's TGP, if you don't mind. :-)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't know what Martha Stewart said about the egg shells, but I would break them up before planting, as eggshells are notorious for being the last thing to break down in compost. I always crush our shells for compost now. Since they don't break down, they could inhibit the growth of the plant roots. I haven't tried planting in egg shells, though, so it's just my initial thought. I look forward to hearing how it worked for you. :-)
Hi! I found you from pinterest. I have a small yard and have dreamed of a greenhouse for so long! This is PERFECT!! I am way to busy to read the other comments, so sorry if this is a dub. But my children and I start our seedlings in the egg carton themselves, totally skip the shells. Some will root right through the carton and the carton is also totally biodegradable. (Not sure if I spelled that right) thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI blow my eggs out and then use an "egg topper," just like Martha does. The eggshells are fabulous. I do it every year and they don't inhibit growth of the plant root what so ever. #Upcycling at it's best! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteLove your log cabin and greenhouse. Really makes me envy your lifestyle. I got the garden lifestyle but, not the cabin. Always wanted a cabin. I was born in Calif. and totally understand the beach scene and now live on the east coast in the country. I have personal experience that a garden can save you money and reduce your health issues. So stick with eating the fresh foods. I have been promoting a healthier lifestyle for over a year now and you are a great example of how easy and simple it can be.
ReplyDeleteI found you on pinterest and love your blog here. Looking forward to your adventure.
And for anyone that isn't as inspirational and creative as Adina with greenhouse building. You can buy an affordable greenhouse or seed house already built or a composter for your garden fertilizer. The main thing is start planting a garden and enjoying a healthier lifestyle. Please checkout salegreenhouse.com for greenhouse kits and accessories
Thanks for this wonderful idea ! You have inspired me to use old windows on top of our raised garden beds during the beginning of our planting for next year. I hope you dont mind but I have a link on my blog about this awesome idea ! Thanks for your inspiration.
ReplyDeleteawesome...i plan on building one of these next weekend for my herbs ..we have deer that like to eat evthing.. so this will work perfect:):) instead of eggshells you can also make newpaper pots..i found that on pinterest also..it will definately break down after a few days in the ground..best of luck to you and your family..Great pin :) ty for the idea..
ReplyDeleteHi! I was wondering which direction this faces. Are you using eastern exposure, for example? Thanks very much. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso an idea from "Pinterest" which I plan to use: save toilet tissue rolls for seed-planting!
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Hi, I found this post via a facebook share. It's a fantastic idea! I'm a real estate agent in Nova Scotia, Canada. Would you give me permission to share this entry on my Facebook page as an idea for my homeowner clients? You can find it at www.facebook.com/realestateinhalifax
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Donna Laprade
Dartmouth, NS
I picked up a bunch of old windows for free from Craig's List to do basically the same thing. I am going to try winter sowing this year that way. Starting them outdoors kind of like this and letting nature do her thing a little early. That way you don't have to go through as bad of a hardening off process as you would starting them indoors.
ReplyDeleteI picked up a bunch of old windows for free from Craig's List to do basically the same thing. I am going to try winter sowing this year that way. Starting them outdoors kind of like this and letting nature do her thing a little early. That way you don't have to go through as bad of a hardening off process as you would starting them indoors.
ReplyDeleteNeat idea! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. We were looking to do something like this with some windows our neighbors donated and some lumber in the basement just waiting for a good project...
ReplyDelete