Everyone I know keeps asking me, “What are you growing in your greenhouse?” So for this post, I thought I’d try something different: less words and more pictures.
First, this is the greenhouse/potting shed. I started most of the seeds in February. This, of course, depends on the seeds. I will break up the planting schedule based on germination time, bloom time, and last frost date. See the Library page for my guidebooks. There is a space heater in there, as well as heat mats for the seedlings. I have hung plastic to keep the heat in the growing area; the other area is for storage of yard equipment. The best times are when it’s snowing outside, and I’m in the shed in 75 degrees. There is no running water, so I carry water in.
This has been a cool spring, so the heater has stayed on longer than usual, especially at night. In warmer weather, I take down the plastic, open the Dutch door, and realease heat out of the vents up top.
I purchased the seeds through Park Seed. Usually, I purchase seeds through a variety of sources, but this year I felt the need to simplify and save some money. Ordering from less catalogs meant less shipping and handling charges.
Now for the seedlings. Hope you enjoy them!
Posted by stew goldstein on May 10, 2011 at 10:17 am
I love that greenhouse! will send you a pic of our greenhouse. any ideas on watering seedlings without having to run in and out 3x a day. i was thinking of some type of mist system, but have not seen one that is not complicated.
Posted by Kevin on May 10, 2011 at 4:01 pm
My problem is that I didn’t want to go to the hassle of running plumbing and water out to the shed. I worried about having to drain lines to prepare for winter, which is when I would need the water. So, I settled on some large watering cans and carrying the water into the greenhouse. When just starting the seeds, I tend to water from below to avoid compacting the soil. When the seedling sprout, I will also mist the leaves with a spray bottle. For more humidity, I’ll fill a tray with water and let it evaporate.
As for systems, here is a resource that might help: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/4-greenhouse-watering-systems
Posted by Lori on January 8, 2013 at 10:48 am
do you have a plan you can share for the greenhouse/shed? I love it.
Posted by Kevin on January 8, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Hi Lori. Thanks for stopping by and visiting my potting shed. My partner actually designed the shed. He drew the plans on a yellow legal pad. The shed roughly measures 10′ x 10′, and the ceiling is about 12′ high. There is a loft space on the door side. I’ll see of I can find his original drawing and get it to you — if not, I’ll ask if he can draw it again. There isn’t any heat or running water, but I do use a space heater and heat mats.
Posted by Marlo Davis on January 8, 2013 at 11:49 am
I truly love this shed. Are there plans online to build it or a purchase kit? Thank you for your response.
Posted by Kevin on January 8, 2013 at 9:48 pm
Hi Marlo. The shed did not come from a kit — it was designed by my partner and we built it from scratch. I’m glad you found my site and the shed — it’s truly my therapy place, even when things aren’t growing in it. I’ll look for our actual sketches. Hopefully that will help you out. Thanks for commenting.
Posted by JoeM on January 9, 2013 at 6:28 am
I have to echo the previous comments, truly wonderful building, great design and choice of building materials. Would love to see the design for this. Much Kudos to your partner for this build. I feel more relaxed already.
Posted by Kevin on January 9, 2013 at 7:12 am
Hi Joe. My partner’s head is starting to swell with all of this attention.
The shed, though, truly meets my needs. Right now, we’re searching the house for his original sketch. If we can’t find it, we — and when I say we, I mean him — will draw up something more specific. Thanks for commenting!
Posted by Vicky on January 16, 2013 at 10:09 pm
I had a greenhouse at our last house. We built a salad table for it. It was a potting table, sort of, that had about four inches of soil for growing lettuce in the winter. You need one!
Posted by Kevin on January 16, 2013 at 10:33 pm
Hi Vicky. I agree. Friends of mine have tables like that outside, where they grow salad and herbs. It’s certainly easy on the back! Definitely something on my wish list. Thanks for commenting.
Posted by Dennis R on January 21, 2013 at 2:52 pm
your partner must be very talented. was the greenhouse was added on to an existing shed? or was the shed/greenhouse constructed at the same time? the greenhouse light panels are glass or plastic?
Posted by Kevin on January 21, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Hi Dennis. Yes, he’s talented — and he had the idea to build the potting shed and designed it. We built the whole structure from scratch on a cement block foundation. It has a patio block floor, except where the growing is done. I used gravel there, so any water can drain. The panels are glass, 16 inches wide so that they fit in metal tracks that are attached to the 2 x 8 roof rafters and 2 x 6 wall studs. Since there’s so much interest in the shed, I will try to put together a post together that is shed specific. Be well.
Posted by bmkbmk on February 9, 2013 at 6:16 pm
I must add my compliments on the shed/greenhouse combo. it has really inspired me to to have a go at adding a greenhouse onto my existing shed which I’m going to renovate this year. many thanks
Posted by Kevin on February 9, 2013 at 6:38 pm
Hi Brenda. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck with the renovations. A greenhouse added to your shed would be spectacular. Be well!
Posted by Kady on February 12, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Have been working toward this end for a couple years collecting windows and doors. Your sunshed is everything I want……I just don’t have the building know how to get started.
Posted by Kevin on February 12, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Hi Kady. I’m so glad you liked my potting shed. I’m working on Joe (since he’s the builder) to get some info together for everyone who is interested in the shed. Be well.
Posted by Jelena on February 14, 2013 at 10:31 am
Hi,
I love your shed!! I think it would be perfect for us. I can see this post is old, so I was wondering if there is a plan on this page already?
Posted by Kevin on February 14, 2013 at 10:44 am
Hi Jelena. I’m sorry I do not have an actual plan. My partner actually came up with the idea and built it from scratch. I’ve been nagging him to put something in writing so I can share it. Thanks for your comment.
Posted by Jelena on February 15, 2013 at 3:41 am
Oh, you are welcome. Its a pleasure to see something so practical and beautiful! You don’t need to pester your partner for the plans, I know its time consuming to draw them. But could you post a few more pictures of the sides perhaps, and rough dimensions? We have all the material (except glass), and I was looking for something I like for a long time. Its a perfect combo of storage and greenhouse that we need in our garden and to top it it looks perfect!
Posted by Kevin on February 16, 2013 at 9:59 am
Hi Jelena. I will do my best to put something together — as soon as I can reach the shed through the mounds of snow and tidy it up a bit.
Posted by Nicole Vandeweyer on March 26, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Your shed is so beautifull. With a little help I think someone can make this for me.
And I’ll tell everybody it is the copy of your invention
Could you send me measures? Height?
If you have a plan, that might be an enormous help, but if not some good advice could do too.
Thank you very much.
Nicole
Posted by Kevin on March 26, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Hi Nicole. I’m so glad you liked the shed. I’m away right now, but I will get something together when I get back home. The truth is that my partner designed the shed on a napkin and we can’t find the napkin. I’ll get him to do something a little more professional.
Posted by Tommy Moore on April 25, 2013 at 10:25 am
Thank you ahead of time for when you post the design of the shed. It truly is a well designed and thought out structure.
Posted by Kevin on April 27, 2013 at 12:10 am
Hi Tommy. I’m glad and flattered that you like the shed. It’s pretty simple and suits what I need it for. I’ll nag Joe about drawing actual plans for readers.
Posted by Joy on May 16, 2013 at 9:43 am
Can’t wait to see the post for the greenhouse! This is incredible and we are at the early stages of planning our own shed/greenhouse. Joy
Posted by Kevin on May 16, 2013 at 8:16 pm
Me too. I’m waiting for my partner to get some time to do an actual drawing. It’s coming. . .