Greenhouses are truly transformative for gardening enthusiasts. They offer a sanctuary to cultivate plants year-round, shielded from harsh winds and chilling temperatures. Imagine initiating your spring vegetable garden prematurely, nurturing tropical species that flourish in summer’s warmth and humidity, propagating cuttings from beloved shrubs and berries in autumn, cultivating winter salads, and providing refuge for frost-sensitive plants. The possibilities are boundless.
For me, my greenhouse has evolved into a fascinating horticultural laboratory. Within its sheltered environment, I’ve simultaneously hosted a miniature rice paddy compared to a cranberry bog, alongside a verdant tropical jungle teeming with passionflowers and even a xeric desert landscape. My experiments have extended to cultivating indigo, pawpaw trees, and the more exotic wasabi, saffron, ginger, and turmeric. Throughout the colder months, a consistent supply of medicinal and culinary herbs thrives, while warmer seasons bring forth lemon verbena and diverse basil varieties.
The greenhouse has more than justified its existence through successful plant propagation alone.
I even dedicate space to some vegetables, although I’m perpetually tempted to abandon tomato cultivation! Their vigorous growth tends to dominate everything! (And the self-sown nasturtiums were incredibly prolific – who knew they possessed such tropical vigor?)
I wholeheartedly adore our greenhouse! Yet, I must acknowledge that the journey hasn’t been without its learning curves. Alongside numerous triumphs, there have been a few missteps, experiences I share so you might circumvent similar “learning opportunities!”
The most crucial aspect is to embrace the enjoyment. And on a typical blustery, rainy day in the Northwest, regardless of the season, there’s arguably no more delightful place to spend time. Trust me on this.
