Monday, August 23, 2010

The Greenhouse, Which I Hope Will Lead to the Green House


When I first acquired this land, I knew it was the right thing to do, but I didn't know just how right. I knew it was a place with great potential for a self-sustaining, self-reliant lifestyle, but it hadn't completely sunk in yet. All that it offers, and all that came with the place, much of it needed to maintain and care for it, was revealed to me day-by-day, starting with spades, hoes, and other gardening equipment. There are countless basic hand tools, everywhere you look, including loppers. Pruners, in another language. Five of them in various sizes. At least six snow shovels are keeping the faith out in the garage.

One of the best gifts that came with the house is the greenhouse. It's attached to the house, to the basement, to be exact, and set into the sloping ground around the house. It can be entered either from the outside, or from the garage style door on the end of the basement.


When I returned to Minnesota, one of the things I hoped for was a greenhouse that could be used to extend the growing season, or perhaps even be used all four seasons with heat added, along with other additions and/or modifications. The greenhouse needs some work, including a pressure washing of the roof and walls, and clearing of shrubbery around it, but it's all very possible. It once had wood heat in it, but the chimney liner would need replacing. I have a supplemental wood stove in the basement, UL approved, using the same duct work as the furnace, which uses propane, to heat the upstairs, so I could open the garage doors, when needed, and share in the heat from the wood stove, or the furnace. Sorry I'm getting so "technical." I'm thinking out loud. Sort of.



I've long had the dream of raising orchids. It is do-able with the right remodeling, given the care of these delicate and amazing plants. I would so love to have at least one of every kind. I had one in Santa Fe, named Clementine, but it's hard to move plants across the country, so she went home with the neighbor who came for the wheelbarrow. It was not easy, saying goodbye to her. She had six tendrils, yes, six, each with eight or nine blooms at the time of our parting. "Nothing is Permanent but Change," as the Chinese proverb goes, and I'm certain she was loved and well-cared for.

The greenhouse has wonderful light, of course, and good energy (I just typed god energy), so I've given some thought to other possible uses, such as an art studio, should I decide to get out my paints again and pretend I know what I'm doing long enough to maybe actually learn something. I love the cabin, but it would not be usable year-round, as it stands now. Here's another photo of it, for those who just arrived.


I do hope to do some refurbishing of it. How I will use the cabin is what my imagination is for.


When I was first led to this property, I saw a small greenhouse attached to the side of the wood shed, once used, but not in some time. The real discovery came, though, after I bought it and went exploring.


There is another small greenhouse built onto the back of the shed. It, too, has not been used for awhile. I can only speculate, and believe me I have, about its purpose, sitting there behind the shed, amongst a semi-circle of pines and shrubbery. Hmmmm.....  British actress, Brenda Blethyn, for some reason, is coming to mind.

Anyway, here's another photo of the greenhouse, for which I intend to find the perfect purpose. And, just for the record, I don't intend to supplement my retirement years.


Please allow me to introduce Cassie, she asked to come home with me when I was visiting Home Depot. I was looking for a pink one to remind me of Clementine, but Cassie simply would not take no for an answer. Isn't she a beaut?














18 comments:

  1. Love it! Love it! I can see you working your magic and look forward to the 'after' photos next year, greenhouse filled with nature's treasures...even a sister or two for Cassie, a real beauty. (And I dropped a shout-out for you on today's post.)

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  2. First of all, Cassie is a beaut! And second of all, you, my friend are a LUCKY DUCK!! I am envious of your greenhouse. And, yes, you can grow stuff year-round, I'm sure.

    My first gardening book was Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch who is my gardening hero. It's a fabulous gardeing "bible". She and her partner live in Maine and they garden year round. If you can garden year round in Maine, you sure should be able to here in MInnesota! Here's a link to their website: http://www.fourseasonfarm.com/index.html

    Awesome post...I love the photos!

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  3. Cheryl's right, Tee, you're a lucky duck...me, too, kiddo, for whatever this ride is, I'm also happy you're in my life...hey, when you've got a sec and a bit of musical energy, hop over to From The Hand of Haynes. If anyone knows these tunes, you do. AND I really, really think you'd enjoy onehundredmountains. It's mountain climbing, but often hits a note that sings.

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  4. You are a lucky duck. I'm looking forward to all your changes and all the pics. This is fun.

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  5. Wow, I think you'll find wonderful uses for all those spaces. And of course you can always multitask.... I bet a person can paint in the same place that seedlings are growing. So many possibilities!

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  6. Good Morning, Ladies~ Thank you for your thoughtful comments. It will be fun and interesting to see how this all unfolds. I will check out that gardening book, Cheryl. I need a couple of good reference books right here in my hands.

    I appreciate the shout-out on your blog, Kittie!

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  7. Wow! Many, many plans that will keep you busy 'til retirement. A greenhouse feels like such a wonderful luxury. Good luck with it all. Blowing a kiss to Cassie.

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  8. I've always been interested in orchids! Cassie is gorgeous and looks right at home. What an amazing set up you have there. One treasure after the other. That land is in good hands now.

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  9. Oh what a wonderful thing to have a greenhouse attached to your home, can't wait to see what you do with it. I have pictured myself growing orchids too and putting them in pots I have made. While I was in my motorhome I read a mystery book where a family grew orchids and have thought about growing them ever since. I know nothing about growing them, but I think a greenhouse would be a perfect place for them. I wonder about the snowload on that greenhouse in winter. I know nothing about the weather there, but I assume it gets a lot of snow, but of course if it was heated perhaps the snow would melt. Can't wait to see what you do with the greenhouse. Whoever built all the greenhouses on that property must surely have lived off the land. I can only guess, but perhaps one greenhouse is facing south for winter sun and one north for summer heat.

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  10. Thank you all for the encouragement and the thoughtful comments. It's a wonderful adventure.

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  11. Oh Teresa! Your little plot of paradise is like Christmas 24/7! I'm going to have to utter the 'J' word... JEALOUS! Such beauty.

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  12. Hej Teresa. what a wonderful place you've got there. And that greenhouse is absolutely charming. It will be so exciting to see what you do with this greenhouse and to see your orchids. This place of yours is like a wonderland with all those discoveries.
    Grethe

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  13. Teresa
    WOW.... with all those "ducks" you are, you'll fit right into my blog. ha But you are just that... one Lucky Duck. You'll spend magical hours in your greenhouse. You can peep outside at the snow as you look over your greenery and orchids. Nice post.
    Manzanita

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  14. Kristy, Grethe, and Manzanita! What a fine group of friends and fellow bloggers I am blessed with. Thank you, too, for all those great thoughts.

    Manzanita, I Love your sense of humor. Your post today, on the perfect "man," was laugh out loud funny. Great way to start my morning. Thank You!

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  15. Your yard has generous natural features. I can feel the potting soil between my fingers as you plant those first seedlings.

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  16. Thank you, Paul. I'm grateful for the timely and thought-provoking topics you bring up in your blog.

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  17. You have an awesome place! These properties are becoming harder to find. I must say I don't envy your Minnesota winters though...heard they can get pretty rough. I cracked up when I read about the greenhouse attached to the back of the shed. Saving Grace is one of my favorite movies. What a hoot! Can't wait to see what you decide to do with the cabin.

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  18. MG: Thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked my reference to Saving Grace. Funny movie, good actors. Yes, Minn. winters can be tough. Another adventure! I hope!

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