May 27, 2011

it's a jungle in there


The greenhouse. By request.

The greenhouse is bursting at the seams.

Bursting, I say.

You have to see it to believe it, so let's take a stroll around.


I know you're all wondering how the zinnias are doing. They are doing well, thank you very much. A few of them even have flower buds on them, but I'm pinching them all back so they'll bush out a bit. It's painful to pinch off a zinnia bud before it's bloomed. It's an ugly job, but somebody's got to do it. They'll be heading out to the garden shortly, and if we actually get some weather that even remotely resembles summer, they should really start to take off.

Next on the tour...geraniums.

This is the third year we've overwintered our geraniums. After the first year, I got smart and instead of planting each geranium in its summertime oak barrel home, I simply left the geranium in its pot and sunk it, pot and all, right into the dirt. That way when the first cold snap is upon us, I just pop the pot out of the barrel and whisk it away to the safety of the greenhouse. Much easier than having to dig up and then re-pot the plants before they are moved inside.


We ran out of room in the greenhouse approximately thirty seconds after it was built, so the geraniums spent the winter on a makeshift table. The size of the makeshift table required to hold all the geraniums means things are pretty cramped in the greenhouse.

Side note:
It would seem that a person's intake of Reese's Peanut Butter cups, Oreos and Snickers has a direct effect on the ease with which a person is able to navigate their way around the cramped greenhouse these days.

Just sayin.


We overwintered quite a few of our petunias last year, so we were able to take cuttings this spring. Cuttings are so fun. You take a tiny stem, dip it in rooting hormone, place it in the dirt and before you know it, you've got a whole new plant.


Once they're well rooted, we transfer them to four inch pots and then they really take off.
When I say take off, I really mean that they pretty much turn into a wild and crazy tangled petunia mess. Petunias need a lot of room, and as previously mentioned, space is a bit lacking this time of year.


Eventually, we place the petunias in two gallon pots and sink those right into the ground, just like we do with the geraniums. Knowing we'd be taking fresh cuttings, we didn't need to overwinter all the petunias, just enough to get cuttings from each color. Since they're in such big pots, my hubby built a shelf so they wouldn't ramble all over our other plants once they kick into high growing gear.

(Please ignore the ugly yellow sticky bug catcher.)


In the background of this next shot, you can see our tomatoes in their cedar baskets. This is the second year we've planted them upside down and it seems to work very well. The tomatoes are the only thing that will stay in the greenhouse all summer. We'll keep all the windows open and they are on an automatic watering system, so other than a weekly fertilizing, they are pretty much care free.

Deliciously carefree. And delicious.


June first is the earliest we're comfortable moving things outside, so come next Wednesday, we'll be in a planting and moving frenzy.

Then it's Mother Nature's turn to take over.

Dear Mother Nature,
Please, please, please send Summer to Montana this year. She gave us the cold shoulder last year, so I'm thinking maybe we've somehow offended her?
Whatever we did, we're sorry. Very sorry. Very, very, very sorry. If there's anyway you can put in a good word for us and talk her into an extended stay, I'll be forever grateful.
Forever.
Sunshiny Love,
Teresa


Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

72 comments:

  1. Dear Mother Nature...please be nice to Montana this summer as I'm booking a ticket to go live in Teresa's greenhouse! ;-)

    Just beautiful! Happy Memorial Day, and thank you for your family's service to our country!

    Kat :)

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  2. Just beautiful! I'm so jealous... wish I had your green thumb! It's been rain, rain, rain here in NE. What I have planted is beginning to have soggy bottoms. Enjoy the weekend and thanks for sharing your beautiful flowers and photos!
    Laurie

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  3. WOW! Teresa you are truly God's angel!
    Helping all His blooms burst!
    You have P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E !
    Your greenhouse is beyond words!
    It's good some of those plants are moving out!
    As you need to make room for lots of bunk beds!
    Happy planting and Happy Memorial Day.
    Hugs to your boys in service!
    Julie

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  4. OMG. I'm drooling. {close mouth. wipe chin.}

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  5. If I were you I would pull up a lawn chair, a magazine and a glass of lemonade and just hang out in your greenhouse all day. All your colors mixed together in there are beautiful!

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  6. Adorable... I´m drooling too!!!
    hugs

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  7. What an amazing sight! I bought hubby a small greenhouse for Christmas and we are in the process of putting it together! I could live in yours! :) Have a great weekend, Nan

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  8. Oh Theresa...

    this is completely breaktaking. Wowzers!

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  9. Teresa this is just amazing and beautiful! We are plagued by hungry deer where we live...I need a green house! I have been a fan of your photography for a long time. Just really great stuff on your blog! Thanks! Bonnie

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  10. i think i've just died and gone to 'greenhouse' heaven.

    absolutely gorgeous! i'm almost 'green' with envy (couldn't resist).

    xo
    ~molly

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  11. I know jealousy is an ugly beast...but I can't help it. I'm jealous. Happy Memorial Day weekend to you too!

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  12. WOW - GORgeous!! Your thumbs must be a very deep green!! This is the kind of greenhouse I dream about! I was fortunate enough to inherit my MIL's greenhouse this Spring, so we will see next winter I guess what color my thumbs are :) Happy Weekend to you as well! Be safe!!

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  13. Amazing! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Dear Teresa:

    It was 90 degrees here in Virginia most of this week. Let's talk. Would it help if I sent you 10 of our degrees? Not enough? Honestly, 15 is as much as I can let go. Talk to your friends. See if anyone else can spare some degrees. See who can help. Then put your gorgeous flowers outside and let them soar. If you want to thank us, you can do it in pictures on your blog. And you would be welcome. Sincerely, Mary

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  16. So, so pretty. I am envious and in awe and wish I could stop by for a visit! I'd bring the lemonade and maybe you could take a short break from all your handiwork! Bee-u-tee-ful!

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  17. I know we are not supposed to covet but lady you are making me weak in the knees for your greenhouse. Everything looks gorgeous.

    Connie at http://mylifeatmidlife.blogspot.com/

    (blogger will not let me comment under my google account so I had to leave this comment anonymously)

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  18. I love your greenhouse! Just beautiful.

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  19. mmmmmmmmm! I can almost smell it in all it's goodness! Love the smell of a greenhouse! Thanks for sharing this - it's a cool rainy dreary day here in Kansas and I needed this burst of color!

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  20. I am in love with your greenhouse. Want to come and visit and help me get started?

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  21. Wow that is AMAZING!!! Now I want to come visit! =) Just beautiful.

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  22. T - what are your hours? What are the prices of your hanging baskets? Woman...thou art blessed. : -D

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  23. Beautiful greenhouse! LOVE all those flowers. I bet it smells just heavenly in there.

    I am your newest follower!
    (Found you through Kim's Savvy Southern Style sidebar)

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  24. You've inspired me to try zinnias this year - I have a reserved spot for them, just beside my kitchen window.:) Thank you for the sweet comment a few weeks ago. That was a nice blog surprise!

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  25. I just planted a TON of zinnias too. Have you tried the 'Green Envy' variety? They are my new favorite! Do you mind sharing the dimensions of your greenhouse? I am in love. I want my hubby to build me one! Also, what is the material called on the roof?

    Sarah
    sasizemore@gmail.com

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  26. So beautiful. You are seriously a rockstar! Suck it Martha Stewart!!

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  27. You'd best get those petunias out of there by August, because you'll need room for my cot.

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  28. And, see, the thing is that the photos actually don't even do it justice, for those of us who have actually seen the place! Jealous, jealous. My yard is already starting to decline a bit - Texas heat and sun!

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  29. Honestly, I have no words. None.
    (except for words like envy. and sigh. and divine. and youareamazing.)
    I now know why your gardens are so incredible - you really do have a green thumb. Could you take a photo of it for me? ;)
    xx

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  30. I just found your blog. Not only do you have the most architecturally beautiful greenhouse that I have ever seen, it is FILLED with the most gorgeous flowers! Yes, I am GREEN with envy. It is such a sad state to be in.

    My son used to work at a dairy here in the Pacific Northwest named Meadowbrook Dairy! So I poked about a bit to see what else you have on your blog. That is when i saw your stunning photography. Oh guru of the camera... I'm not worthy. I'm not worthy.

    Have a spectacular and SAFE Memorial Day Weekend.
    Blessings,
    ~Mrs. R

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  31. as my Meg's would say! "WOWWW"

    Cheers to you and your beautiful flowers :)

    Michelle

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  32. Teresa, you made my day commenting on my blog (bull rider :)I could never be the mother of one of those guys, yikes...) I lurk here a lot and it's one of my JOY blogs - I never leave without a huge smile on my face :D I hope to be like you in my next life!!! Beautiful, beautiful post. Love your wonderful, cheerful spirit!

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  33. Oh my! This is just too gorgeous for words... I'd be living out there the entire summer if it was mine :)

    Have a great weekend!
    Best Moa

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  34. Why am I not following this blog?
    Well I am now.
    This is a blog I 'find' and then I 'lose' so it will be good to have you pop up on a regular basis so that I don't miss anything else.

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  35. What a beautiful, beautiful greenhouse. Pea green with envy.

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  36. Your greenhouse is the absolute best Teresa! I'm not sure I would ever leave it if I had one like yours. Maybe one day when I figure out how to get a bigger piece of property. :) Thanks for sharing again. Such inspiration!
    xxxx

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  37. Just found your blog. Breathtaking comes to mind. I will be back. (That greenhouse is spectacular!)

    P.S. I will do my best to ship you some of our heat for your upcoming summer in Montana. Here in Southeast Texas, we have more than enough to go around.

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  38. WOW!! Are all those plants for you to put into your yard eventually??? What a gorgeous greenhouse! Best looking one I have ever seen! Enjoy all your lovely plants. I think mother nature may be a little bit upset with Alberta as well....come on sunshine!! and take away the wind please!

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  39. Blogger won't let me sign in with my google account, so no profile pic, but its me Tonya!! Just thought I should clarify!! Anyway...I am super jealous of your gorgeous greenhouse & all of the gorgeous things in it!! It is truly busting at the seams!! BTW, the photoshoot yesterday went fairly well...not bad for a first timer I guess! Everything was soo muddy from all of the rain & flooding we have had here, so it made it hard to get in too many shaded areas, but it was overcast so that helped!! Stop by when you have time & take a look when you get time!! Hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with your family!!

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  40. Oh My. Just where do you plan on putting all of these bloomin' beauties?

    Vero Beach Florida...perhaps?

    Hmmm???

    Linda@Lime in the Coconut (thanks blogger)

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  41. I have to say, this may be the most beautiful greenhouse I have ever seen! Gorgeous!

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  42. I just found your blog from Centsational Girl's post today. I looked at every single entry. Your photos are absolutely inspirational. And I thought some of mine were good. You just have an amazing eye! I want a greenhouse as gorgeous as yours someday. Hopefully I can buy the 1/2 acre next door. I think its amazing what you have done to your property. Where do you get the inspiration for the inside of your home? Makes me want to renovate my lodge style home.

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  43. I found you through Centsational Girl. Your greenhouse is gorgeous. Your photos are amazing! I could spend my day in your greenhouse!

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  44. Oh the Greenhouse! Love it. I'll bet it smells heavenly in there. Hope you're enjoying a great weekend! ~Sally

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  45. I am so, so envious of your greenhouse. I'm sure it's a must for Montana's short growing season! Thank you for sharing!!

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  46. WOW! WOW! WOW!!! (Time to start thinking about adding a wing to your greenhouse?) Your geraniums and petunias and daisy's are B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L!! And I know the zinnias will be too, very soon! The farm is going to be gorgeous for the wedding this summer!!

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  47. Teresa this is so much a day brightener! A glorious array of flowers!!

    New very Exciting Giveaway will start on the 1st!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  48. I could look at this post all day.... And we are wishing for a summer here too.

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  49. I love your post full of pictures which are beautiful. I really love them. Ahhh to have a green house.What kind would be good to get. Answer on my blog please. And follow it if you wish but you might not find it hnd too sicne you have so many blog readers already.

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  50. Flipping gorgeous. GORGEOUS. It's terrible to be jealous but I SO am. I am in the Sierra mountains, so I feel your pain about Miss Summer and Mother Nature. It snowed here this weekend. Snowed! Bitter, I am. Thank heaven, I didn't put my veggies out. I'm sending you good vibes for a long and gorgeous summer.

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  51. Your greenhouse is stunning! Did you do a post about it? Size, plans, etc. I'd so much like to know because we plan to build a small one this fall. Yours is so beautiful. Thinking of your son who is serving on this Memorial Day.

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  52. Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing your greenhouse with us. How can you be so excellent at growing things AND so excellent at taking pictures??! I absolutely LOVE your petunia shelf, picture perfect!

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  53. Montana~I'm sending you summer tomorrow. I'm done with her!

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  54. Your greenhouse is so beautiful, inside and out, that I want to move into it...seriously! I only planted 45 zinnias....so I'm feeling very inferior. I sounds like you have had the same weather as we have had this spring (we are on the East Coast in Canada), but the sun is shining today and it is beautiful. I'm off to water my zinnias....

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  55. Dear Mother Nature - you must be related to Teresa as she has an incredible ability to grow all things beautiful!
    xo Cathy

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  56. sigh... now that's my kind of heaven :)

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  57. WOW! I'm speechless! So beautiful!

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  58. Oh my word! Is that greenhouse all for your own garden or do you sell plants too??!? WOW! I'm am completely impressed. And jealous.

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  59. Gorgeous greenhouse. I am having a serious case of flower envy right now. My zinnias are just starting to make an appearance through the soil and I will be showing the pictures of your plants so that they know what they should look like when they grow up. Your hard work is certainly paying off! Keep sharing the updates.

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  60. I've been trying to adopt a 'less is more' attitude about my gardening this year. Obviously your mantra is 'more is more!' My single little geranium basket looks pretty lonely on my front porch compared to the garden party you are throwing in that greenhouse. Beautiful, just beautiful. Let me know if you have sightings of the sun in Montana. We saw it once last week.

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  61. Wishing you a non-Juneuary month. And no snow. With sunny skies and warm weather. I'm trying to be specific in case the weather gods are reading this. (Mother Nature was ticked off at Oregon last year as well.)

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  62. Jealous ! It's all just so gorgeous - enjoy !

    gena

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  63. Hi
    This is my 1st comment. I found you last month through Flower Patch FarmGirl. Your farm is heavenly (as far as I can imagine....anyway) & that first pic is beau-t-ful!
    Thanks for sharing!

    Rebecca

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  64. I am green with envy! Simply gorgeous. I am new to the gardening field and trying desperately to make my thumb green.

    Thank you for sharing your stunning photos!

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  65. Holy Cow Lady! You put the rest of us to shame. Hey, do you think you could move a few of those zinna pots around to clear of spot for me! I promise I won't take up too much room, and I'll sit really, Really still and look and not touch! Please!!!!!

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  66. I've never seen such beauty. This should be in a magazine. Unbelieveable. I've sent this post to everyone I know. Breathtaking! xoxooxo Jennifer in Boise

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  67. Your greenhouse is so beautiful that someone HAS to get married inside of it. Or maybe outside and in front of it, seeing as it's a little crowded and greenhouses are probably supposed to be kind of warm inside. ;) But really, can't you just picture every window filled with lit candelabras and a bride and groom exchanging vows in the evening light???? I can!

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  68. I just stumbled across your blog today after seeing your greenhouse on pinterest. I'm totally in love! I am dreaming of building a greenhouse but wondering how much use I would get out of it. I live in frigid Minnesota. I can't seem to figure out where you are located geographically...do you use your greenhouse all winter? Or just in the spring to start seedlings? Any advice you have on greenhouses would be much appreciated. I'll definitely be stopping back to your blog!

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  69. Did you use a plan to build this or have a contractor build it for you? I don't know how to read replies on this (still learning that), so could you e-mail me? chasesmomgina@yahoo.com Thanks!!!

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  70. I absolutely adore your greenhouse. Did you build it from a plan and can you share that information with me? Thank you!

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  71. I am from Idaho Falls, and am thinking of building a greenhouse like yours. Like the above questions, do you have the plans for building this greenhouse? if so, are you willing to share or give some info. on how to build this.
    thank you for any info.
    Lisa
    my email is lisarois@gmail.com

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