GREENHOUSE

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

In the PG's September assignment I posted what Otis did on his "staycation". F asked to be kept updated, so here it is. (I feel the GG is the best place to update.)

We had this eyesore in the back yard since we moved here 20 years ago. Otis had plans to replace it with a structure to mirror the "shed" across the yard but as things go it never happened.  I have always wanted a greenhouse and decided to go ahead and get one. The location I wanted to put it did not agree with Otis. He wanted to put it behind the garage. Then for me it would be "out of sight/out of mind" especially during inclement weather. As couples who have been married for some time do (sometimes) we compromised. The greenhouse will go between the house and garage and replace the ugly structure that houses the expansion tank and well plumbing. (I will have to spend a little more for the greenhouse to get a more decorative one.)

So the work began a couple of months ago on Otis's "staycation". The structure (1) was torn down (2); an unused old well was filled in (3& 4).

The plumbing and electrical moved/replaced and the footings dug (5); concrete poured (6); masons came and layed the foundation (7) and complete foundation with pile of dirt moved to fill holes in yard (8).

It has been a slow project due to the weather and the fact that Otis works 5 days a week.

TODAY I ORDERED THE GREENHOUSE!!!

To be continued..................

[F, Calla & Luca]

What an exciting project. I'm looking forward to seeing the end result. Otis deserves kudos for this big project.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I am really looking forward to the completion.  I agree, a big hand for Otis.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

OMD this is so exciting! I loved your step by step sharing of the process! Does the greenhouse come in one complete piece or is it something that needs to be assembled?

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Thanks Janie.  The greenhouse has to be assembled.  That will be the Thanksgiving project for Otis.  I will give him any assistance I can but he will do most if not all by himself.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Anne ~ this is so exciting.  When I lived in Seattle, I had planned to build a greenhouse, but it never happened. Now we are East of the Cascades and get over 300 days of sunshine, so it has been put on the back-burner.  I will be following this project - and yeah for Otis! 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Update - Finished!!!

It has been a long journey. Starting the week of Labor Day 2015 and finishing the last week of February 2016. Otis has spent several vacations and almost every weekend working on my greenhouse. He never imagined that the project would take so long. There were some unexpected things to overcome: the biggest was the footings were not level; the masons just laid the foundation block on the footing and Otis had to form the sill to correct for this. The weather put a damper on the project with rain, cold weather and a blizzard.

The greenhouse arrived November 12th. It went up fairly quickly. Otis put electricity and water in it. The expansion tank and sand filter for the well. He built a box around these and put a Formica top on it for potting bench. There is heat; greenhouse lighting; plant lights; growing benches; solar vent openers. There are so many tiny details to numerous to mention.

On February 23rd I put the first seeds for the spring garden in the greenhouse to germinate. The Swiss chard germinated in 2 days!

There are still some things to do but the greenhouse is basically finished. Thank you Otis.

Footings and sill ready for greenhouse.  Box framed in for potting bench.

Greenhouse delivered on the street.

Otis working on the framing and standing on potting bench box.

Structure completed.  Ready for inside wiring, plumbing, benches, etc.

FFisheye view inside completed, working greenhouse.

[F, Calla & Luca]

What a great job. I love the fisheye view. It does seem you thought of every detail. I hope you both enjoy the greenhouse for many years to come.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Thank you F. We did try to think of everything. There are still things to add. It is a very relaxing space.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Oh Anne, this is like a dream come true! Going from the structure that was in the yard to this beautiful greenhouse is an amazing transition! I love that it is already in use too! Otis did good! So what do you have planned for his next staycation?! : )

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Janie, it is a dream come true.  For over 35 years I have been growing my flower and vegetables from seed, first in a "plant room" with excellent natural light.  Then we moved and I grew them in a basement under fluorescent lights.  Another move (here) and under fluorescent lights in the garage.  There was no place to overwinter potted tender plants other than a couple of windows in the very dry house.  It is wonderful to have a structure devoted to plants.  As far as Otis's next staycation,  I will let him decide what he wants to do, at least that is the plan right now.  : )

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

: )  It looks so roomy too, such a nice size and you can experiment with anything now! So happy for you!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Thanks Janie.