Friday, April 10, 2020

Midwest Gardening April: Greenhouse Heating

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First week of April 2020 Midwest Gardening.

While so many of you are in zones far warmer than Chicagoland (5b) we still battle crazy temperature changes. 
We had a few days of really nice weather last week. This shows the wall temp(in the sun) roughly at noon. No need for a heater then.


At this point, we open all the windows and turn on the ceiling fan. These planters are under a shelf---and it's 91.9 degrees F.

We moved almost all the plants from the kitchen out to the greenhouse early last week.

I also started large planters of lettuce are on the floor on the west side. We have used paver base as a floor, it's fine for walking on and will absorb excess water. We are waiting to see how the drainage, heat, and comfort works with this. We may put some patio blocks over this--
for holding heat in the Fall. 

I am going to try and keep the greenhouse 
going for fresh greens and vegetables until December...we will see. 


We should have purchased a heater in winter, because, now, Hubby didn't have much of a choice. 
We had wanted one with a temperature gauged on/off switch, but none seemed available. 
We ended up with  a 2 ceramic rod 1500W heater, choice of 1-2 rods on, 
and a wide temperature range dial.

How much electricity you use is dependent on the settings. We usually turn it totally off by10am on any kind of sunny day, and quite low on cloudy days. Even during clouds you have radiant heat penetrating through.

Excuse all the cords (12guage for the heater) everywhere. Not going for aesthetics, yet in the greenhouse.


The other purchase was a remote temperature system, which came with three sensors (battery) which transmit to a display screen in the house. We can see all three temps-most of the time, as they cycle at different times. 

In the afternoon the sun can still be quite hot---however, once the trees leaf out it should be easier to control.

These gauges  are very sensitive to sun...so we don't get hysterical unless all three temps register insane numbers.
The manual ceiling fan (3 settings) circulates the heat and also makes our plants stronger.

This is the indoor display...96, 72, 98...we know that two sensors are in the sun at this time. The bottom 74 is our home indoor temp(lots of windows in this house) and 48 is the humidity. 

Last night was 27...degrees, and we maintained in the 40's with the 2 rods going at about 75%.

Now, I will go out and turn them way down, though the outdoor temp is still in the 30's as the sun is kicking in. (9:30am)

We found, prices range for heaters, $50-$200, ours was $79. 
Prices for sensor systems are basically under $100 + the price of batteries. Lots are available with many options.

I'll never advertise any brands or systems, just giving you an idea of how much this little project ends up costing. These are multi-season investments. Our last greenhouse lasted us over 10 years, this one should be good until we are gone. We did burn up 2 heaters in the last 10 years---because of moisture issues, but the last greenhouse was a tent of sorts, this one is pretty much waterproof.
AND, that's why cords are strung up all over. 

HOW ARE YOUR SPRING PLANTINGS, GOING?
HUGS AND STAY SAFE!

Thank you for any and all comments.
Finally I am able to reply to comments by using Chrome. So all you Mac users who have upgraded to Catalina---this might help the glitches on Safari  and Blogger!











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Wednesday, April 8, 2020

The DREADED DUNGEON!


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Hi, Everyone, hope you are staying SAFE!

In 1984, when we bought a 12 year-old, 1400 sq.ft., modest builder grade Ranch House on a bit more than a quarter of an acre. We thought we had gone to heaven after living in a congested townhouse area. 
Our unincorporated community had a lake, parks, un-congested lanes and streets, what we from Wisconsin, call a 'townie bar' on the lake, clean air, critters, bull frogs, raccoons, pheasants, deer, etc. Perfect for two pre-teen boys to grow up in.

The minus-was no garage (we built one, years later),  plus a big empty 1400 sq. foot basement, some of which today is this 

DUNGEON!

oldnewgreenredo

The basement, gave me a clay shop for my pottery business---us, a family room, hubby an office, and a huge storage room shop 
that I shared with my husband.

Over the years we remodeled upstairs, put the washer-dryer upstairs, added a mini-master bath in a walk-in closet, reconfigured the other bath, added exterior water service to all sides of the house and piece-meal'd the plumbing, ourselves. You can see the cobbled plumbing by all the different types of drain pipes, and the extra heat runs. We had a metal pipe failure from the kitchen, which is 50 some feet away from the kitchen, two years ago, so that had to be replaced. It was filled with sand from the sump pumps. Sigh.

Anyway, now the house is 46 years old. We need to update/replace the bathrooms to walk-in showers, improve our water flow, and retackle the tangle of sewer pipes that adding-on eventually taxed. 
Hubby will totally replace and redo all the plumbing on this side of the house.


oldnewgreenredo

But before we could do that-we added a new floor over the concrete.  First we had to go through this room and the 30 some years of storage. 

Behind all those bins is a run of kitchen cabinetry gleaned from a remodeler in the area. 

These ARE the AFTER Photos....YIKES! 

oldnewgreenredo

Behind this mound of bins of antiques and craft supplies, lurks a 1900 record player, furniture, and the doorway to the other doll/craft room. 

oldnewgreenredo

The finished, doll craft room, and I also have a shipping room! Bins here also hide family treasures. Flowers  are just plopped in a vase, not designed. I hope to have friends here for projects, when I have water-another reason for the plumbing debacle.


This sink has water, but not drainage. Originally the sink in the clay room ran to the sump pumps. We have purchased a pump/well for draining directly to the sewer from here, that will be installed to the left through the wall into the DUNGEON.

Oh, and I use LOTS of picnic baskets, woven and metal!
I can't believe how full this room is now---hopefully the dungeon will alleviate the excess. 

oldnewgreenredo

This was my first photos of the completed craft room.
I use picnic baskets for current projects or groupings of items with labels, so I can keep track. 


My goal is to have this Dungeon 
look and work as well as the doll craftroom! We 
have a long way to go!






I say this is an AFTER photo now in the dungeon, because every container has been gone through. Ninety-five percent have been sorted, ALL are labeled. I also keep our household seasonal items in here. 

oldnewgreenredo

I have 8 huge bins of flowers, and probably 3 more just full of greens, and grapevine. I still have a penchant for expensive, quality flowers, which I mixed in with 'good' ones and gorgeous greens.
In the past, I did weddings, parties, home-decorating, as well as commercial work. NOW, the prices of floral product are insane, and while I have cut my stock to less than half, I still have a ton. 

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There are the bins of 4 generations of stuff, good and bad, antiques and photos inherited from my family. PLUS, I've collected also-I know I have at least 2 dozen blue mason jars---
but, can I let them go now, or will I use them for mini's storage? 

 Many bins are marked SELL. I don't really need to do garage sales, flea markets, antique stores to buy...I just need to go to this basement room. I will be posting some of all this in my Etsy store.


oldnewgreenredo

January through March during the dreary winter, we went through this room-slowly, and hubby redid the floor. We will seal the floor with some roll on floor paint as we work from the plumbing back to the entrance. Right now, he was laying out all the pieces of the new drainage/sewer reconfiguration. 

Eventually we will paint walls and put up pegboard in places, as we start that after the plumbing is done. As I move into the room ---I'll start with storage on that wall of the plumbing, I will consolidate and eliminate the contents of all those totes. 

oldnewgreenredo

I can only get into this one wall cabinet which holds my paints, all stored upside down. They will have to be sorted, because paint doesn't last 20 years, even stored upside down. I taught craft painting, art theory, color mixing, and floral classes through a local craft store for 10 years or so. My classes were always full, 
which really helped with the kids' college bills. 

Do you remember when there were tons of craft/art classes and people who actually knew about the products available in craft stores? When someone could answer a question about how to USE the product...???

I do need to CULL so many bins of holiday supplies, and will probably try and sell some of the more interesting things on Etsy. I commonly purchased items wholesale in dozens to grosses. YES, I purchased wreaths by 72's and 144's. Ornament makings were also bought in huge quantities. I toted off the last of my pine swags and small wreaths to Goodwill, since I no longer mass produce anything.

Craft materials have gotten very expensive. I can sell my 20-year new-old-stock stuff at cost, and make myself and customers happy. Surprisingly, I remember what I paid for everything and who my suppliers were. Tons of things I have already sent to GoodWill included lots of glass, and almost all my baskets. I'll let GoodWill store my baskets, because I can re-purchase just about anything I may actually need for very little. 

Upscale merchandise I donate to a wonderful thrift shop---that supports families in need. 

oldnewgreenredo

My worst horde is fabric---antique linens, antique fabric, decor, display fabrics I used for my shop. Lots of rugs, pillows, bits and pieces for projects. Somewhere I have maybe ten vintage needlepoint stockings all backed in velvet. 

Containers for floral designs is another category I have to let go. I've already sent lots of brass--gone! Usable flower pots went to the greenhouse for planting. 
Then there are the wood projects---I really do need to get at those. I see some serious redo's in the future, maybe even some creative craft painting.

ANYWAY, 
with nice weather now, we are going outside and working on yard projects, the greenhouse, and planting, eventually some fishing.

But, rainy days will be spent here in the Dungeon. 

Do you have a  DUNGEON?

Thank you for any and all comments.
Finally I am able to reply to comments by using Chrome. So all you Mac users who have upgraded to Catalina---this might help the glitches on Safari  and Blogger!






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Wednesday, April 1, 2020

A Bit of Spring in my Farmhouse Kitchen!


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Hi, the calendar says it's SPRING, but here in Chicagoland and in our home, she is totally dragging her feet.



oldnewgreenredo

Spring isn't just for bunnies.

Christmas Pig (that's her name) is much like the infamous sow in the "Outlander" books by Diana Galbadon. So many piglets have been born this Spring. (The piglets are corn cob holders, fronts and back ends, LOL) ..they seem to move around in their little nest in my antique coffee grinder. 

oldnewgreenredo

I was sick of Winter RED along with Winter, so I have switched almost everything to blue. 
Normally I force some forsythia, but I think our bushes got badly nipped with 
the early FREEZE we had last Fall, so I am using faux pansies on the table instead.

Momma Pig is pretty attentive...after years of being washed with a wet, kitchen cloth, she needs a new coat of paint, but her piglets are fresh and pink!

oldnewgreenredo

Locked in the house, I have slowly been doing some Spring cleaning---and I oiled the island counter. We do this on the butcher block island maybe four times in a year, because this surface gets more use than any of the others.

 I found the vintage blue vase at a thrift store, and it is filled with faux Forsythia and some small Iris. Perfect for Spring. The potholder was stitched by my friend Dorothy and is perfect background for wooden spoons.

oldnewgreenredo

Normally I have a runner here, but with the fresh oil, I'm waiting a week or two for the oil to totally sink in.  The Danish enameled sauce server holds some very vintage beaded flowers. The crock is very old, and holds our napkins. 

oldnewgreenredo

The sweet teapot and two stoneware mugs, were from my mom-in-law. The trivet is very old, pansies and probably German porcelain. 


oldnewgreenredo

I calmed down the colors in our corner cabinet and brought in some birds. This cabinet is awaiting some Spring touches, when I can find them. (Next Post)





oldnewgreenredo

The platter in the middle is titled "Tulip Time", I added my last two tulip plates from Crate and Barrel, years ago, and my Grandmother's antique Dutch salt and pepper and a sweet Dutch Maid bell.  






oldnewgreenredo

I cleaned the corner cabinet and did find the Spring banner. With shutdown, no one will be coming for Easter....sigh.




The plants are growing great. Transplanted most of the tomatoes. 

oldnewgreenredo

The broccoli is going to the greenhouse today. We are maintaining 50 degrees out there, so it will be happier than the dry warm kitchen.


oldnewgreenredo

Like many Grandparents we miss our Grandgirl, our kids...and the family gatherings. 
Thank goodness for the phone, photos, videos and the love 
that pours from that normally annoying device!
I decorated the fridge from Spring items from last year, and an old SPRING photo! 

NEXT POST 

the BASEMENT PROJECT, and in search of Spring Decor!!!


Thank you for any and all comments.
Finally I am able to reply to comments by using Chrome. So all you Mac users who have upgraded to Catalina---this might help the glitches on Safari  and Blogger!






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Thursday, March 26, 2020

Midwest Gardening: Late March 2020


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Here in Chicagoland, inside it looks like a greenhouse, 
most noticeable in my living room. YES, two-feet from my front door. The black boxes are an air purifier and a humidifier. 
The large pots are all holding my hubby's enthusiastic
Caladium purchases!


oldnewgreenredo

So much for a pretty Spring housewalk.

Our well water ruined two furnace humidifiers, the portables are far cheaper, and can easily be maintained.

oldnewgreenredo

In the kitchen, both windows are full of transplanted starts. 

oldnewgreenredo

They are a bit droopy after transplanting, but Tomatoes  look better today.

We had to go up with portable shelving. I will be transplanting more if we get more dirt. ONLY if something important HAS to be purchased. 

oldnewgreenredo

I label every HOT PEPPER pot...so these are planted far away and don't cross pollinate with our other other peppers. They will probably be in pots near the garage---quarantined if you will.


 Not colorful yet these are the colorful Coleus from my last garden post. $8.00 worth of seed, will give us MORE than enough coleus for our shady yard. 


oldnewgreenredo

We had snow on Tuesday, so the greenhouse is still not viable, even though yesterday it reached 85 degrees in there. Nights need to temper just a bit more, before we move in plants. 

oldnewgreenredo

A few hours straightening in here, and we will be ready to go!
I'm hoping to do the next round of transplanting out here!




All day Wednesday we got outside...the garden was almost taken care of in fall...and is now draining. We will have 4 days of rain, starting today. So tilling will be awhile. 
oldnewgreenredo

Most of yesterday was cleanup!


Stacking wood from our spruce tree!

oldnewgreenredo

Bundling branches for pickup, we are opting for less burning, and these will be mulched at a recycling center.

oldnewgreenredo

Our neighbor is home from work and really tackled their yard.

It will be fun to see what revitalizes when the plants rise up!
oldnewgreenredo

We only have tiny bits of green coming, mostly Iris, and some Daffodils. I leave ALL the leaves and healthy stems for bird nesting materials, and to protect our bees, which burrow underneath, praying mantis and other helpful bugs. 



 With my knee replacement last Fall, you didn't get to see that our project was well underway, to clear up our problem area.

Hubby spread we aren't sure how many bags of paver base across the yard where we have drainage issues and couldn't grow grass.


Paver base was spread over leveled ground, a layer of weed blocker, sand and then paver base. It really firmed up over the winter, and the leaves were easy to rake off.
oldnewgreenredo

We didn't get to do any decorative additions, but now I have a blank slate and can begin a plan. (The Caladiums and Coleus should be very happy here in pots. 

oldnewgreenredo

Hubby finished the fence in November. I can't wait to put some trailing vines and impatiens on those small shelves. 

Hubby planted Hosta I grew from starts, below and all around here, I hope they made it through the freeze/thaw winter we had.

oldnewgreenredo

We never had deep snow cover for a long period of time, much of the yard was bare in between. I think we are 3" below average snowfall, for Chicagoland.
On the other side of the house my fisher pair, lost their poles again. I'm beginning to wonder if an animal carries them off to chew on.

oldnewgreenredo


 Around the pond, are Mini Iris, ground covers, Iris, 

and Daffy's coming up.


The pond is disgusting and just thawed out. I'll throw a cup of bleach in it, and scoop all the leaves out,
and then run clear water through it, when it warms up.

The frogs like some leaves in there to hide in. Our water plants, weren't brought into the house, because of the early frost, so I will have to purchase some new ones---Papyrus, for sure! 

I may just use some Philodendrom and a Spath also...I have none at the moment.
We usually have frogs within a week of cleaning the pond out.I do use mosquito floats in both of the ponds, and nothing seems to mind them except the mosquitos.

oldnewgreenredo

Around the corner is the Sweet Pea trellis, I didn't get cleaned up because of my surgery. That will come down when I clear the flower beds. Our Sweet Peas are from a 59cent package in 1985!

oldnewgreenredo

This area faces East. And, the Daffodils bloom here first. I thinned them two years ago---and it looks like they need it again. I need a new focal plant here, our 20-year old rose, finally croaked.

\

oldnewgreenredo

Along the fence, I started multiple perennials last year, mostly Holly Hocks, and transplanted some Echinacea, and Phlox. We will see what comes up.

I had some going-south citrus fruit languishing in the fridge drawer, and I sliced them in half. I put them outside, just to see who might want them.
oldnewgreenredo

We have lots of critters in our yard, so many birds, squirrels, chippies, moles (not good), possums, raccoons, woodchucks, frogs, toads, really a happy bunch of critters.

oldnewgreenredo

We had hung some oranges up on a stick earlier, and they were ripped down and emptied underneath. 

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Sure enough you can see a trail along the beam of orange halves...I dont' know who took the limes...LOL. But, they are gone!

PS This happened during the day, Wednesday...so that eliminates the night stalkers!

HOW ARE YOUR GARDEN PLANS and Critters COMING?

Thank you for any and all comments.
Finally I am able to reply to comments by using Chrome. So all you Mac users who have upgraded to Catalina---this might help the glitches on Safari  and Blogger!



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