Cohousing-L Mailing List: greenhouse

[Kay Argyle (Kay.Argyle]

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has experience with a
greenhouse, either as a community or personally. (I searched the list
archive - nada. I'll be looking on gardening discussion boards for some of
my questions.)

 

Our community has tossed around the question of what we can do for greater
sustainability, and now there is an added concern about self-sufficiency in
bad economic times. There has always been "wouldn't it be nice" talk about a
greenhouse, but a few community members have now progressed to "we should".
I'm not convinced this is a good, practical use of our funds, particularly
in bad economic times, and am concerned about making sure we are realistic
in our approach. (By the way, as one of the more serious gardeners in the
community, I'm probably one of the people most likely to use it.)

 

Some questions to get started --

Cost, size, construction? How is it heated, vented, watered, etc.? 

What maintenance issues have you had? What cultivation issues?

Has the greenhouse made a difference in what you can grow, or how much, or
how easily?

What have you found a greenhouse does well, and what not?

What would you do differently if you were getting one now? What
misconceptions did actual experience with a greenhouse cure you of?

Was it a good purchase? Would you do it again? 

 

Considerations for a community garden -- 

If it is a community rather than privately owned greenhouse, how is it
managed?

Did you have members with previous experience of greenhouses, hoop houses,
cold frames, etc.; a lot of avid gardeners; or people with farming
backgrounds? How important is knowledge and degree of motivation to a
greenhouse's success?

Have people continued using it after the "new toy" aspect wore off? 

 

Any other advice?

 

Kay

Wasatch Commons