Pop Goes the Greenhouse.
When daytime temps were in the mid-80's only a few days ago, a frost event can sneak up on even the most organized gardener. Which I am not, incidentally. It was noticeably chilly when I left my office yesterday, and after viewing the forecast from the National Weather Service, (the only forecast I have any confidence in ) I spent an hour scurrying around moving succulents and begonias into the garage and the house, and putting container fuchsias under the eaves. This morning the roofs were frosty and the bird bath was an avian skating rink. Strangely, the Dahlias were unmolested .A light frost then, but a frost none the less, and action was required. Time to haul out the greenhouse !
It spends the summer folded up into disc and stuffed into it's case .
It comes out of said case significantly easier than it goes in.
The first step is the pop-up..stand back !
One of the critters shows an interest, always on the lookout for a new napping spot.
The next step involves getting inside and putting in the roof support pole. One tries to perform this activity when the neighbors are not looking out their kitchen windows. Lucy Ricardo comes to mind.
Voila !
Two or three of these seedling mats provide my heating system , only to be plugged in when overnight temps are predicted to drop into the 30's or 20's. Still longing for a 'real' greenhouse though..this will have to do for the present.
It comes out of said case significantly easier than it goes in.
The first step is the pop-up..stand back !
One of the critters shows an interest, always on the lookout for a new napping spot.
The next step involves getting inside and putting in the roof support pole. One tries to perform this activity when the neighbors are not looking out their kitchen windows. Lucy Ricardo comes to mind.
Successful installation of both the roof pole and one of the pairs of side poles is complete.
Voila !
Two or three of these seedling mats provide my heating system , only to be plugged in when overnight temps are predicted to drop into the 30's or 20's. Still longing for a 'real' greenhouse though..this will have to do for the present.
Wow...it really does "pop up!"...interesting that you've experienced a frost before us. Last night was supposed to be 30 and tonight 33. Well actually last night was 37 and tonight is forecast at 38.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious what the measurements are of your pop up structure?
It is funny about that frost thing Loree, although we get considerably warmer daytime than you do during winter, and it's once in a blue moon it ever gets into the 30's in the day.
DeleteThis greenhouse is quite small,5x5 walls, but roof is 6.5 at the peak. My biggest problem is with wind-I have it on concrete so though it comes with anchors they can't be used unless the thing sets up on soil.
That greenhouse will come in handy for on the spot protection of plants permanently planted out!
ReplyDeleteExpensive for that use though M & G.. they have smaller units too, but it would still be pricey. Most folks here make a structure from bamboo stakes and drape it in frost fabric.
DeleteA camping vacation plants-what a concept!
ReplyDelete...provided you can keep the snails and the mealybugs out.
DeleteMost interesting ... I suspect you have patience of steel to get it back into it's little package.
ReplyDeleteI have to mentally prepare myself for the dis-assembling..the fact that it denotes no longer needing winter protection moves me along !
DeleteWhat a cool garden gadget! And get a load of all that empty terracotta.
ReplyDeleteOh man Denise, I looked at all those pots long about March and then looked at my summer travel schedule and decided not to plant all of them this year. Of course, I also bought more.
DeleteWow, that's really great. Seems pretty straightforward to get set up. Is is all filled up yet?
ReplyDelete