The Greenhouse Project
- beeandbloomnz
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
When a storm wrecked our poly tunnel in 2021, we realised we needed a more robust structure—one that could stand up to unpredictable weather, be a place to grow food and provide a dedicated space to support my growing business as a florist - flower grower.
We started building the structure using a stack of old wooden-framed windows and doors that we had held on to from some previous house renovations, and one huge window which was given to me by a customer. Repurposing them allowed us to keep costs low whilst still building something special with heaps of character.
The most exciting part was planning the design and seeing it come to life, figuring out which window to put where like a giant jig-saw puzzle, and making sure it was functional as well as beautiful. Inside, I needed a large work bench for sowing seeds, racks that could hold seed trays for easy watering and space for potting mixes and tools.
We used a huge, opening window at one end, and an old door at the other to allow fresh air to circulate, providing essential ventilation on warmer days. Having a sturdy structure with a door I can bolt means I can be cosy inside and work in peace no matter the weather outside. A water tank just outside the window (You can see it to the right on the above pic) catches rainwater from my studio roof, meaning I can water my seedlings without it costing a penny; it's also an absolute life-saver in summer (and my seedlings LOVE the rainwater)! This was truly a family project—our son, who was just 4 at the time, was involved in every step as our “site foreman". He absolutely loved working with us, helping to hammer in nails and watching as each section came together. It was so special that he played such a big part in the building of it.In summer we grow tomatoes and cucumbers inside the greenhouse with green beans and sweetpeas up the outside, using twine netting as support - they grow taller than the structure itself!
Our son loves running outside and picking a snack of fresh veggies, most don't make it to the kitchen! The greenhouse has become my sanctuary and my happy place, where we grow food and where I sow cut-flower seeds and nurture plants for my cutting gardens. I often just sit in the doorway or stand watching the garden and take it all in.
When things get busy it's a nice quiet spot to take a breather, the hours just tend to fly-by in there.
We decided to enter the Resene Shed of the Year Competition run by NZ Gardener Magazine this year and were absolutely stoked to be named as a judges favourite!
Our greenhouse is a place of both peace and productivity, and I'm so grateful for the shelter it provides (as well as a talking-point for visitors!). It's a space that we just couldn't do without and it was worth all the hours of blood sweat and tears! I've raised thousands of seedlings in there, stored countless tubers, corms and bulbs as well as all of my tools and materials. The wind often gets so gusty that I have to bolt the door closed from the inside! We wouldn't have it any other way and are already planning an extension! Thanks for reading about our greenhouse project we hope we may have inspired you to start building your own happy place in your garden... Alison
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