Build a Recycled Greenhouse using Old Windows

A Smart Use of Underused Space

This recycled greenhouse is situated below their home's upper deck – what a clever way Bev and her husband made of this otherwise under-utilized space!

Bev started building it last Oct (2011) and it took around two months, but she says "more like a month really, as we had time out due to sickness and a trip."

Bev says: "Here is my recycled greenhouse/potting shed. I built four bins, two on top, and two underneath, for potting mixtures.

Top Two Bins Have
Removable Covers

The two top ones have removable covers, so in the winter I can just plant lettuce and spinach right in them! All the counters are slatted boards. I did start some broccoli and cabbage and a few are starting to come up in pots.

Can't wait to get them outside so they can get some real sun! I've just stained the counters and need to apply spa varnish before I start to work out there. Onions will be next!

I do those by seed so I need to start them early ... I did them in the spring last year so they are still out in the garden growing!"

Measure Twice, Cut Three Times!

According to Bev, to make her recycled greenhouse it was a case of "measure twice and cut three times!" (I know how *that* goes!) :-) and claims that they're total newbies at DIY stuff (though I can't tell – just look at these great photos!) – just a bit of touch-up paint/stain, and the job's a good 'un! :-)

The greenhouse was built around the recycled windows – but the rest of the stuff was from Lowe's.

The siding is called LP SmartSide Paneling – pressed-wood pieces on one side, and molded to look like paneling on the other side. The panels come pre-primed and ready to paint!

Bev put up pegboard on the walls, very handy for hanging tools.

Community Garden

I posed this question to Bev next: Will you use the Master Gardener Certification for your own use, or do you think you'll utilize it in another capacity?

Bev: "Mostly for my own use but I am also helping start a community garden for some folks I know and plan to do some volunteer work for Jackson and Swain County (in North Carolina).

We need to continue to put in 20- to 40-hours a year of training and volunteer work to keep our certification."

What A Great Recycled Greenhouse!

Volunteer To
Maintain Certification

Wow, I certainly didn't know you had to do volunteer work, and the like, to maintain certification! You learn something new every day ;-)

To be honest, I've never met such a hard-working lady – not only does Bev do all this but she's a top-notch Realtor too! (I need to remind you that if you're so inclined to be looking for private get-aways, close to streams etc, Bev has a couple of fantastic listings ... click here to go to Bev's site).

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