Oh man! I should have one next winter, and I am very anxious/excited! Trying to do it with the hard work of scavenging instead of spending. DH builds sheds for a living, so no problem on that front. We've been gathering used windows, a door with glass windows in the top, and other materials as we find them. When they tore down the burned house next door, I grabbed half a dozen windows leaning against the back of the house & in the shed. We had no idea what day they were coming, and didn't know if the owner still planned to retrieve anything, so didn't raid stuff until the bulldozer showed up. We could have repurposed the whole shed roof and most of the sides, the rest of the windows still intact in the house, be ready to build by now. I will even restrain myself and paint it yellow like the house instead of purple.
Deborah, afraid you'll get more plants and pack it full? Well, chyuh! Filling the house with plants has shown DH the benefits of a greenhouse. Have you tried hanging pots over the bed? That's very persuasive. Not my fault our bed happens to be right by a great east window.
I don't know if greenhouse commerce is similar to how sheds work but sheds can get repossessed. When they do, they are sold again, much cheaper. Might be something to investigate about greenhouses if you're looking to buy. DH's Mom got one for about half of a brand new one of the same type/size.
Cheryl, awesome!! My Mom and I left ferns outside last winter, in pots and in the ground, and they were fine. I know there are a few that look identical, to the casual observer, they're not all Boston ferns, but these seem to be pretty hardy. The roots make balls, if that helps distinguish them. Maybe all ferns do, IDK. Do you have yours in the pots because a normal winter would kill them, or just because you want hanging ferns? Last winter wasn't much of a 'ruler.' Think we'll get so lucky again? Those in the ground have made patches of babies. Do Boston ferns do that, and/or survive outside at 26-27 degrees?
