Deluxe Greenhouse Gardening

At Seedy Saturday this afternoon, I had a chance to once again check out SunPod's deluxe FSC certified wood greenhouses and I fell in love all over again. I had a chance to first see a SunPod up at Hollyhock at a business conference last Fall and was pretty enamoured at the time, but as the end of February rolls past and sunny days of summer gardening are the kind of day dreams that keep you warm through winter, I'm really smitten.

While the photos of SunPods are lovely, to experience them in person is really something. They are exquisitely hand made with bent cedar and gorgeous metal hardware. They remind me of the art of hand carved boats or even perhaps a particularly green thumbed hobbit fabrication. The craftsmanship is really something to behold.

You can read all about the SunPod's here. I'm personally smitten with the Smart Vented Mini Greenhouse, which Michael the owner told me he can grow up to 40 heads of lettuce in (the 4' wide version). You can use the SunPod to start your spring leafy greens early, then pick it up and move it over to house your tomatoes and basil, and then move it on the next bed to over winter kales, chards, cabbage, beets, leeks etc over the winter. (All suitable for a West Coast gardener anyway).

I would truly love to bring a SunPod into our yard, but think it may be a bit steep for us this year. I do however, think we'll try making a less fancy version this year and if I can take to greenhouse and coldframe gardening, then perhaps I'll save up to invest next Spring, though I have to admit it's the promise of keeping winter veggies warm and thriving that makes it even more seductive to me.

(The SunPod site also has some great resources on organic, container and greenhouse gardening).

Comments

[Beverly Clarke]

Wow, I have fallen in love with SunPods after reading your article and seeing the photos. It never ceases to amaze me what some creative geniuses think up. I will definitely be getting a few of these as soon as finances allow.