Our Greenhouse Details
* Note: This blog is in partnership with BC Greenhouses.
I have dreamt of this moment for years... Writing a blog about my very own greenhouse! It feels so surreal and I am so happy you are here reading this. If you have been dreaming of a greenhouse, want to learn about the process, and how we landed on our greenhouse details, this blog will dive into why we choose the finishes, the size and more!
Firstly, this greenhouse is from BC Greenhouses in BC, Canada. They have clients within North America and are truly experts in what they do. The unwavering support from Angela and the whole team was outstanding. They answered all of my questions and helped me hone it on what I wanted in a greenhouse. The first thing you need to do is get clear on what you are doing in the greenhouse: Are you growing all year? Are you making a seating area? Are you heating it? There are many questions that BC Greenhouses can answer and guide you on to ensure you are building your dream greenhouse for you.
Location
We chose the sunniest location in our yard (which is our side yard, actually) but we knew this would mean we would have to use fans, add enough ventilation and use shade cloth in the summer when needed. This area gets the most sun in the winter months, and since we wanted to add citrus and grow food all year, this is the biggest reason why we chose the location. It is also beside our vegetable and flower garden and close to the home for easy access. The location had a couple feet of gravel there from the previous owners, and heavy clay soil underneath.
Size
Choosing a size was not easy! We had the space, but how big do we go without blowing the budget? How wide do we go while keeping the greenhouse looking symmetrical? 20 feet wide was always our dream as we knew we wanted to put raised beds in the greenhouse and grow more food. Initially, we thought 10 feet was good enough for width, but then when we drew the interior design and 4 foot raised beds on each side would make the middle pathway less than 2 feet, so 12 feet wide was perfect. The total size is 12x20’. Given the size and the weight of the greenhouse we poured a 24” raised wall concrete foundation.
Style
We chose a Cottage style greenhouse. We added extra sidewall ventilation, upgraded to 6mm one-piece glass, and decorative pressure caps in the black frame. This gives the modern, clean lines look we were going for. Click the button below to get the full spec sheet details!
All Glass
Making the greenhouse all glass was a big decision. As the weather is heating up, polycarbonate roofs are becoming more popular to protect plants. For me, the big draw was to enjoy the greenhouse all year, and I wanted to look up and see the stars. I would sacrifice adding shade cloth on the walls for 2 months of the year if that meant I can enjoy the stars in the winter sitting with a glass of vino!
The Interior
This first year is really a trial year. We designed the boxes to maximize full time growing space, and have a 5 foot area for a potting bench. I am still looking for a used one or perhaps I can twist my hubby’s arm to make me one…
We created three irrigation zones. One for each side – the north side, the east side and the south side beds. The reason for this is the citrus require less frequent watering but for longer periods than vegetables & fruit. The other two zones are for vegetables and fruit that may need different watering needs. This year I planted tomatoes, basil, carrots, cucumber, watermelon, artichokes, peppers, runner beans and two vining zucchini plants. I am so happy we did this as we get to see what works and what doesn't! There will be failures in the first year and that's all part of the learning curve of a greenhouse.
Lastly, we have a conduit that we placed under the foundation to bring in electricity. We will have 6-8 plugs, two built in fans and lights for winter growing. This is to come, and I will share part 2 of the greenhouse as we learn to grow, and keep the temperatures where they need. Off to plant more carrots, stay tuned for the next greenhouse blog!
* Note: This blog is in partnership with BC Greenhouses.