Inger Palmstierna - Greenhouse Vegetable Gardening

Copyright 2007 Inger Palmstierna, text and photo.

First published by Norstedts, Sweden, in 2007 as Des Grnskande Vxthuset by Inger Palmstierna. Published by agreement with Norstedts Agency.

English language edition copyright 2015 by Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Ingegrd Bodn

Cover photo credit by Inger Palmstierna

Print ISBN: 978-1-62914-739-0

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62914-971-4

Printed in China

CONTENTS

HOW TOS

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Introduction

Many gardening enthusiasts take great pleasure in owning a greenhouse; they delight in its warmth, the scent of the earth and plants, the feeling of spring, the taste of summer, and the protection against blustery fall winds.

A gardener can plant, grow, and harvest cucumber and basil, as well as create a splendor of flowers in garden pots and flower beds. A greenhouse makes it possible to extend the growing season throughout the year, and to feel close to nature while remaining in sheltered comfort. A hobby greenhouse is seldom started as a money making venture, but the amount of plants and kilos of tomatoes that are often harvested within it make it profitable all the same.

The pleasure seeker can create a peaceful oasis with scents and greenery. A few well-chosen plants are enough to generate the right atmosphere, while still leaving enough space for an inviting seating arrangement.

No matter how we plan to enjoy our greenhouse, it neednt be expensive or cumbersome. We often unnecessarily over-complicate things when something simple fits the bill. Once we settle on how wed like to use the greenhouse and furnish it accordingly, we can then make it both bountiful and easy to care for. There are many ways to create lush green happiness in the greenhouseearly snowdrops, pampered geraniums, sun-warmed tomatoes, shading vines, and fine plantings of summer flowers are only some of the myriad possibilities.

Those who already have a greenhouse will, in the first half of this book, get tips on additional plants you might consider growing. If the greenhouse isnt working in any of the ways you had hoped or anticipated, then youll likely discover the cause in the books second half, which deals with the hardwarethe type of building, its size, shape, heat, and ventilation systems. Those who have not yet set up a greenhouse will glean useful information on what you need to take into account before you decide on a greenhouse structure.

The greenhouse is an environment that is warmer and lighter than our gardens and our homes. It allows the plants more time to grow, and gives us opportunities to cultivate more of them; it also requires more soil, water, fertilizer and carean aspect of greenhouse gardening that might be somewhat tedious but nevertheless critical, and all the more fun and rewarding when successful. Together, the time and effort will turn your greenhouse into a wonderful, lush and flowering oasis, the gem of your garden.

Hven August 2006

Inger Palmstierna

There is room for both a comfortable seating area and lush greenery in a bigger greenhouse.

Decisions and more decisions

Before you have the pleasure of actually owning a greenhouse, youll have to decide how you wish to use it. This is probably the hardest part of selecting a greenhouse. If your priority is to have a comfortable outdoor room, youll need to plan accordingly. On the other hand, if your goal is to increase your production of vegetables, youll have to make sure that the plants get all the added space they require. Naturally, you can modify the plan from year to year if your needs or preferences change, but the construction and covering materials of the greenhouse will reflect its originally intended use.

If you want to have both a comfortable seating area for your coffee break and to grow tomatoes, youll have to compromise. In Sweden, greenhouses that are smaller than 10 m (107.5 ft) dont require a permit if you follow all current building codes. This often means that the greenhouse space is limited, and therefore requires proper planning.

A greenhouse is comprised of a foundation, framework and roofing material; additional technical components such as ventilation, irrigation, and interior decoration should be selected and purchased at the same time as the greenhouse structure. If youre building a four-season greenhouse, you will have to plan for all the added elements before buying and laying down the foundation. A simpler heating system, such as a heating fan, can be added later.

Reasonable cost

A very simple and practical way to get started is to buy a greenhouse kit. There is a multitude of greenhouse models available, in a wide range of sizes and styles, from Victorian gingerbread houses to ultra modern elegance, and wooden beauties. If youd prefer to build your own custom greenhouse, there are many different ways to do that too. There is as much pleasure to be derived from a simple greenhouse built from old windows as there is from one designed to meet specific ideas, needs, wants, and environments.