First Garden Flop and The Greenhouse Kit We Chose
At the beginning of the year I shared that Justin and I were planning for our first garden here at the farmhouse. But, can I let you in on a little secret? That garden never got off the ground. Well, at least not yet….
Perhaps we were a bit overly ambitious to think that we could set up a garden straight away. Especially with little to no experience when it comes to the skill. Or, maybe it was the countless projects that took longer than anticipated around here? Or, it could have been the piece of advice I read from a permaculture expert to do nothing but observe your land during the first year of ownership.
Truthfully, it was a combination of all of these things that made setting up our first garden stall, and then come to a complete stop. But, that doesn’t mean we haven’t made progress.
Relocating Our Future Garden
If you’ve read this post, you know our garden was to be set up in the back field on our property. A spot that gets a good amount of sun, and is relatively flat. But, I was ultimately vetoed on placing the garden in the back field. And, that’s because it would be harder to monitor. Not to mention, more difficult to water without a rain catchment system in place.
So, it seems our garden is destined for a spot closer to the farmhouse. The new spot can be seen right outside of the window I am sitting next to as I write this post. And, as the sound of the native birds travel in through that very same window; I am compelled to tell you that East Tennessee has a wealth of birds to enjoy. Their calls and songs greet us as we wake up in the morning. And are our constant companion throughout the day. So, if you are a birder you must make a trip. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Not only did we choose the new garden location because it would be easier to monitor but, it’s also closer to our current watering solution. Which is the hose hooked up to our farmhouse cottage. This new location also has room for expansion, and gets a good amount of sun throughout the day. Sounds like a win right?
Well, I can tell you that my head is already swimming with garden design ideas for next year, and expansion possibilities for the years to come. But, if I could give you one piece of advice when it comes to gardening, it would be to start small. That’s why we pumped the breaks this year and started our gardening journey with a greenhouse.
The Greenhouse Build
Our greenhouse was ordered not too long after I shared our garden plans. But, we didn’t get the opportunity to build it until a few weeks ago. It seems that we are continually surprised by the fact that managing a 10-acre property (and diy home renovation) has a certain level of unpredictability.
All that aside, the greenhouse build was a bit more frustrating than we anticipated. The directions for our OutSunny Greenhouse Kit were hard to follow. Justin even commented that most were backwards.
So, it took the better part of a day to get the entire greenhouse constructed. Made of plastic (window) panes, and aluminum framing. I can honestly tell you that if we had seen the greenhouse in store; we most likely would not have purchased it.
Time will tell if it will be worth the investment. As of right now, in the heat of the Tennessee summer, the temperature can reach 140 degrees. Yes, that’s with the roof vent, and door open.
But, I think it will be a beneficial resource during the cooler months when it’s time to start seeds. And maybe as a makeshift potting shed when the temperatures get a little warmer. Keep in mind, we live in a subtropical climate here. So, the greenhouse may better suit your needs depending on your climate zone.
