Monday 17 August 2009

To be or not to be?

I have been neglecting more pressing matters around the new house the last few days and sneaking off to look at the greenhouse shown in pic. The building is in terrible condition but the boiler house, the piping and all the cast workings,stanchions and frames just deserve some real effort to save it from further decay. I know it's not as important as having a place for the family and myself to live in (duh!) but I am looking forward to seeing the first crop of fruits and early veg that this place is capable of producing,even if knocking it down makes more sense money wise.Never having restored a Victorian greenhouse perhaps I should thank God for the opportunity to try something new, as a challenge (sic) is as good as a rest...isn't it?

9 comments:

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Greenhouse with heating pipes - LUXURY!!!

Great for toms and peppers Thudders, that's a beauty of a greenhouse!

BTW, is there a void underneath, or are they cold frames in the pic? There's one building similar near here, where it was originally heated by piling new manure from the stables under the floor.

Thud said...

scrobs...coldframes. By coincidence my fellow blogger monkey (I love juice) has put some toms and peppers in already....at his own risk.

Brian said...

That greenhouse looks a gem! Well worth restoring. Hope this page on hotbeds helps:
http://www.the-gardeners-calendar.co.uk/Features/Hotbeds/default.asp
And Drumlanrig has a restored glasshouse for inspiration:
http://www.drumlanrig.com/default.asp?PageId=64

The Enduring Gardener said...

Gabriel Ash can probably help you with the greenhouse restoration - but it won't be cheap ! www.gabrielash.com

Brian said...

If Squire Thud doesn't relish a trip over the border, the Winsford Walled Garden has a delightfully restored greenhouse with Victorian central heating:
http://www.winsfordwalledgarden.com/restoration.aspx?Group=restoration&Page=victorian%20greenhouse%20restoration

monkey said...

this is project that i hope we can make happen, having seen this in the flesh its a beautiful construction and it does house my tomms. it is rather dangerous at the moment but it draws you to it every time your there, you really do get a vision of some wonderful fruits and veggies.

Thud said...

Thanks everybody for the links and info...the more the merrier.

Vinogirl said...

It's going to look fab when done, I have faith in you.

lilith said...

OH My! I have serious greenhouse envy...