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PEGGY'S
LITTLE
CORNER
The Greenhouse
Out buildings can take a property from looking like a new housing development to an old homestead, and perhaps there is no greater testament to this ability than the greenhouse.
September 25, 2014

I had been gardening many years and always admired the idea of having a greenhouse.  I wanted it to be both beautiful and functional and for it to look as old fashioned as possible.  However, in looking at pre-fabricated greenhouses, even the cheaper commercial looking structures were rather pricey.  At one point, I thought I could use reclaimed windows, but clearly other people had gotten the same idea, as the older windows were often pricier than the newer ones or not available at all.   Defeated by cost, I eventually abandoned the idea entirely, until one winter in the early 2000s, when lettuce went on recall.

For weeks and weeks during the recall I looked for lettuce on our local shelves and found nothing. Not one company had a single leaf to offer.  After a while, I felt myself growing sick for want of a bit of lettuce, and therein decided that I would never again be in such a predicament.  With some cold frames placed around my garden, I thought, I could grow all the lettuce I needed.  I discussed the idea with my husband, and set him about the task of securing some reclaimed newer windows from our local salvage yard for a couple of cold frame tops.  What I ended up with was a 10 by 12 foot greenhouse.

Unbeknownst to me, my husband had made a deal with a man who had access to factory made sheet glass.  He also brought home two piles of bricks from a demolished 19th century building.  Neither of us had a real plan for how to make the greenhouse, but we had built many buildings together.  As a family, we sat down to look at greenhouses we liked, and my children made sketches to see how each plan would stack up against the other buildings in our yard. My husband kept angling for a larger structure, but I was unsure of myself, and kept paring back the size, not wanting it to eclipse my home.

Like most of our buildings, having to build on the steep slopes around our house has been both helpful in achieving an older appearance and yet a nuisance to create a level base.  For days my husband and son dug into the hill, and not wanting them to dig forever, I opted for a raised brick step in front to split the difference of the uneven ground.  We poured a concrete footer with rebar and filled the foundation with 6 inches of pea gravel set with large river stones.  Over this foundation we built a wood frame out of 2 by 4 foot boards that I painted white, and using the size of the 2 by 2 foot glass panes as a guide, we set the sections of boards every two feet.

My husband laid the reclaimed brick for the chimney and front stoop and halfway up the sides of the greenhouse to create some insulation.  In spite of what he says, I prefer my husband’s masonry skills for these restoration projects, as the additional mud he places around the brick adds the appearance of centuries of patchwork. In fact, once he has picked up the rhythm of his brick laying again, and starts paring down the cement, I often go behind him with my fingers and add a bit more, then smooth it out with the grouting tool.  The result is a foundation that looks like it has stood for over a hundred years.

To the frame, my husband attached two long wooden tables for plants to sit upon, one on the east and west walls. As my skills have grown, I eventually realized that I needed additional shelving, so my husband later added a board above the original tables, and some corner shelves for larger pots.

The glass panels were secured to the frame from the outside with washers and screws tightened just enough for security, and then caulked for more thermal protection.  Unfortunately, in 2014, all would have to be removed and replaced, as the original frame, which was made with untreated lumber, began to rot from the humidity inside the greenhouse.

As the weather transitions from arctic blasts to warm spring days, where plants require a good cross breeze, heating and ventilation become alternately important. For heating, we used a reclaimed wood stove and ran electrical outlets throughout the building.  Eventually we realized that our north wall did not need be in glass, as it afforded us no light, and only lost us our heat, so we replaced it with a solid wall made of reclaimed barn wood.  Being partially submerged, the north wall also affords some extra ground heat, which maintains a constant temperature of 55° F.  Conversely, ventilation and controlled cooling, which are often necessary on warm spring days, are accessible by two windows we placed on each of the walls, and a temperature controlled fan we installed just above the French paned door.

Though the greenhouse still remains the youngest on the property, many people guess it to be the oldest, which pleases me greatly.  From reclaimed brick and wood to working with the natural terrain and using real glass, the little details were able to blend with the rest of our property’s structures and keep the old fashioned feel I love so much.  However, as I have gained in my experience with planting over the years, there is only one thing I regret about our little structure . . . I wish I had let my husband build the greenhouse as large as he wanted.

Comments are closed here.

January 6, 2022

Repurposing old storage containers and celebrating with a 12th Night feast.

April 21, 2021

Crazy weather, the greenhouse is packed and flourishing, Easter happiness, and waiting for the arrival of new baby chicks.

February 17, 2021

Wrapping up the holidays, jumping into a painting project, and cleaning the house from top to bottom.

November 19, 2020

For years I would sit and stare at my house and wonder why it didn’t have that colonial feel that... View Article

November 18, 2020

Seed starting begins again, just before the busy holiday season gets into full swing.

November 9, 2020

November begins with cool weather and blustery days. The seasons change and Harry enjoys the days.

November 2, 2020

Once again the coop needs some attention and some much needed safety additions. My joints just can't take the bend to feeders anymore!

October 31, 2020

Rushing to finish a big job never helps, but some last minute trim ideas make a big difference, and all in time for Halloween

October 20, 2020

When it rains it pours. Both the weather and the power tools conspire to keep the porch from being repaired.

October 19, 2020

A quick autumn stir-fry that is both healthy and tasty

October 19, 2020

A hearty one pot soup for all the leftovers or just in anticipation of Thanksgiving

October 12, 2020

Cool days give a taste of fall weather. I spend some time in the greenhouse and muse over the animals enjoying the day

October 5, 2020

Spring bulbs arrive for next year and Harry discovers a toad

I begin the porch project with some early painting and decorate for the season

Non-native problems continue but I tarry on with the season all the same.

Anniversaries can never just run smoothly, can they?

I start looking towards the holidays with an old fashioned recipe, and I look backwards as I transplant some wildflowers

The old yew bushes are removed to make way for a porch face-lift, and I attend to some inside repairs

Some late season planting, ordering bulbs for the coming year, and tackling a new antique project

August 17, 2020

Where has time gone? Visiting a familiar old house that has gone to ruin.

July 12, 2020

The stars and moon align to make a magical Fourth of July

July 3, 2020

The weather has switched to summer heat and it is searing. Time for the garden to explode with weeds and produce.

June 27, 2020

It's my birthday again. Strawberries are in season, and I spend some time hauling rocks . . . again.

June 20, 2020

I do some late season gardening and try some greener products again, this time, with sheep milk

June 13, 2020

The garden has been giving us a preview of what is to come, and the weather gives us a taste of storms ahead

The package saga continues, and some early summer sounds kick into high gear

May 31, 2020

Some cat trouble ensues and the weather plays havoc with the garden

May 23, 2020

I finally bring an old idea to fruition and make a nice little grill cart

May 16, 2020

Mother's Day arrives, and amidst enjoying my homemade tea room I deliver some lovelies straight from the greenhouse

The wildflowers are here. I begin planting the last bits of my spring order and gift an instant garden to my sister

May 2, 2020

Warm weather comes a bit early for us, but my toad friends are back for another year of bugs

April 25, 2020

More deliveries as Covid continues. Each day is full, and only the inconvenience of a few missing packages affects the Little Corner

April 18, 2020

As we all adjust to Covid, Harry helps the Easter Bunny and delivers a bit of springtime cheer to family

April 11, 2020

We tackle the window project and find a few surprises, meanwhile my tattersall rugs arrive in time to give the house a lift for spring

April 4, 2020

We begin ripping out the old windows in preparation for the new installation, meanwhile spring burst forth all around us

March 28, 2020

Some fruit trees arrive, including some very old varieties, and I do a massive replant in the new section. Time to make that little forest grow.

March 22, 2020

We experience a strange St. Patrick's Day as the first Covid birthday gets underway, and the fencing project finally comes to a completion

March 15, 2020

While the country seems to be poised for a lockdown, we keep plugging away at the fence, and work in a little landscaping too

March 7, 2020

The fence project continues, while we have a quick birthday for Doodles and a little bit of cherry pie to celebrate the day

February 22, 2020

We start the task of fencing in the whole of our 5 acres, and with the weather shifting between snow and warmth there is a lot of mud

February 15, 2020

I get creative with trying to solve an old puzzle -- just what did that old baker use to make such perfectly sweet red icing?

February 8, 2020

Our great prognosticator has predicted an early spring, and we begin preparations for the new parcel

January 31, 2020

A new phase of the Little Corner begins with the beginning of a wildlife habitat and expanded sheep field

January 25, 2020

It is already time to think about the garden and time to think about getting cuttings from my salvaged fall pots

January 19, 2020

Our snow for 2020 looks like it is going to remain a bit spotty, but Harry still gets some time to play, and I tackle cutting the petunia trees

January 13, 2020

I begin the New Year with spring cleaning, a repair inventory, and some Moses Eaton styled floor cloths

January 6, 2020

This year the flower color palette for the Vienna New Year’s Day concert was in shades of pink and yellow. ... View Article

December 31, 2019

I end a busy 2019 sharing my best wishes to everyone and a wish for the 'quiet life'

December 25, 2019

The season marches forward with Christmas bakes, and I try a few experiments on some old favorites

December 7, 2019

With Christmas on its way, I take a look at the 400+ seedlings in the basement, and Harry helps . . . or so he thinks.

November 30, 2019

I substitute an old favorite in our rarely altered traditional meal, and my family and I head to the tree farm again

November 24, 2019

My daughter's birthday inspires some unicorn decorations and the sky seems to join in the fun

November 17, 2019

After so much heat, and still so much green hanging on the trees, an early snow surprises us all

November 9, 2019

I get my husband to make a late season alteration to our coop, which will hopefully help my bones this winter

October 31, 2019

I make some last minute adjustments to the yard, just in time to catch the last of the warm weather

October 20, 2019

The frost finally shows up and autumn activities accelerate to match the change in weather

October 13, 2019

I scurry around gathering seed tops and cuttings for spring 2020

October 6, 2019

When we should be thinking of hot drinks, the weather keeps summer barreling into fall, which makes late season gardening miserable

September 30, 2019

As we wind down the year towards the fall season, another repair presents itself, this time our refrigerator

September 22, 2019

Following a recipe mishap years ago, I attempt use up some of our pear bounty and make a tasty chutney

January 6, 2022

Repurposing old storage containers and celebrating with a 12th Night feast.

April 21, 2021

Crazy weather, the greenhouse is packed and flourishing, Easter happiness, and waiting for the arrival of new baby chicks.

February 17, 2021

Wrapping up the holidays, jumping into a painting project, and cleaning the house from top to bottom.

November 19, 2020

For years I would sit and stare at my house and wonder why it didn’t have that colonial feel that... View Article

November 18, 2020

Seed starting begins again, just before the busy holiday season gets into full swing.

November 9, 2020

November begins with cool weather and blustery days. The seasons change and Harry enjoys the days.

November 2, 2020

Once again the coop needs some attention and some much needed safety additions. My joints just can't take the bend to feeders anymore!

October 31, 2020

Rushing to finish a big job never helps, but some last minute trim ideas make a big difference, and all in time for Halloween

October 20, 2020

When it rains it pours. Both the weather and the power tools conspire to keep the porch from being repaired.

October 19, 2020

A quick autumn stir-fry that is both healthy and tasty

October 19, 2020

A hearty one pot soup for all the leftovers or just in anticipation of Thanksgiving

October 12, 2020

Cool days give a taste of fall weather. I spend some time in the greenhouse and muse over the animals enjoying the day

Spring bulbs arrive for next year and Harry discovers a toad

I begin the porch project with some early painting and decorate for the season

Non-native problems continue but I tarry on with the season all the same.

Anniversaries can never just run smoothly, can they?

I start looking towards the holidays with an old fashioned recipe, and I look backwards as I transplant some wildflowers

The old yew bushes are removed to make way for a porch face-lift, and I attend to some inside repairs

Some late season planting, ordering bulbs for the coming year, and tackling a new antique project

August 17, 2020

Where has time gone? Visiting a familiar old house that has gone to ruin.

July 12, 2020

The stars and moon align to make a magical Fourth of July

July 3, 2020

The weather has switched to summer heat and it is searing. Time for the garden to explode with weeds and produce.

June 27, 2020

It's my birthday again. Strawberries are in season, and I spend some time hauling rocks . . . again.

June 20, 2020

I do some late season gardening and try some greener products again, this time, with sheep milk

June 13, 2020

The garden has been giving us a preview of what is to come, and the weather gives us a taste of storms ahead

The package saga continues, and some early summer sounds kick into high gear

May 31, 2020

Some cat trouble ensues and the weather plays havoc with the garden

May 23, 2020

I finally bring an old idea to fruition and make a nice little grill cart

May 16, 2020

Mother's Day arrives, and amidst enjoying my homemade tea room I deliver some lovelies straight from the greenhouse

The wildflowers are here. I begin planting the last bits of my spring order and gift an instant garden to my sister

May 2, 2020

Warm weather comes a bit early for us, but my toad friends are back for another year of bugs

April 25, 2020

More deliveries as Covid continues. Each day is full, and only the inconvenience of a few missing packages affects the Little Corner

As we all adjust to Covid, Harry helps the Easter Bunny and delivers a bit of springtime cheer to family

April 11, 2020

We tackle the window project and find a few surprises, meanwhile my tattersall rugs arrive in time to give the house a lift for spring

April 4, 2020

We begin ripping out the old windows in preparation for the new installation, meanwhile spring burst forth all around us

March 28, 2020

Some fruit trees arrive, including some very old varieties, and I do a massive replant in the new section. Time to make that little forest grow.

March 22, 2020

We experience a strange St. Patrick's Day as the first Covid birthday gets underway, and the fencing project finally comes to a completion

March 15, 2020

While the country seems to be poised for a lockdown, we keep plugging away at the fence, and work in a little landscaping too

March 7, 2020

The fence project continues, while we have a quick birthday for Doodles and a little bit of cherry pie to celebrate the day

February 22, 2020

We start the task of fencing in the whole of our 5 acres, and with the weather shifting between snow and warmth there is a lot of mud

February 15, 2020

I get creative with trying to solve an old puzzle -- just what did that old baker use to make such perfectly sweet red icing?

February 8, 2020

Our great prognosticator has predicted an early spring, and we begin preparations for the new parcel

January 31, 2020

A new phase of the Little Corner begins with the beginning of a wildlife habitat and expanded sheep field

January 25, 2020

It is already time to think about the garden and time to think about getting cuttings from my salvaged fall pots

January 19, 2020

Our snow for 2020 looks like it is going to remain a bit spotty, but Harry still gets some time to play, and I tackle cutting the petunia trees

January 13, 2020

I begin the New Year with spring cleaning, a repair inventory, and some Moses Eaton styled floor cloths

January 6, 2020

This year the flower color palette for the Vienna New Year’s Day concert was in shades of pink and yellow. ... View Article

December 31, 2019

I end a busy 2019 sharing my best wishes to everyone and a wish for the 'quiet life'

December 25, 2019

The season marches forward with Christmas bakes, and I try a few experiments on some old favorites

December 7, 2019

With Christmas on its way, I take a look at the 400+ seedlings in the basement, and Harry helps . . . or so he thinks.

November 30, 2019

I substitute an old favorite in our rarely altered traditional meal, and my family and I head to the tree farm again

November 24, 2019

My daughter's birthday inspires some unicorn decorations and the sky seems to join in the fun

November 17, 2019

After so much heat, and still so much green hanging on the trees, an early snow surprises us all

November 9, 2019

I get my husband to make a late season alteration to our coop, which will hopefully help my bones this winter

October 31, 2019

I make some last minute adjustments to the yard, just in time to catch the last of the warm weather

October 20, 2019

The frost finally shows up and autumn activities accelerate to match the change in weather

October 13, 2019

I scurry around gathering seed tops and cuttings for spring 2020

October 6, 2019

When we should be thinking of hot drinks, the weather keeps summer barreling into fall, which makes late season gardening miserable

September 30, 2019

As we wind down the year towards the fall season, another repair presents itself, this time our refrigerator

September 22, 2019

Following a recipe mishap years ago, I attempt use up some of our pear bounty and make a tasty chutney