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Larry A. Sagers Regional Horticulturist Utah State University Extension Service Thanksgiving Point Office All Rights Reserved
Many gardeners develop a midwinter passion to grow something. This desire may translate into a greenhouse where they can enjoy their hobby all year. Others gardeners are most interested in a way to start plants for their outdoor gardens. In such cases hotbeds or coldframes can be used to grow plants to extend the gardening season.
Greenhouses were first built by the Dutch during the 1700s as a way to moderate the long, cold winters in Europe. During the 1800s, greenhouses were a status symbol of the wealthy. They used these magnificent structures to grow crops that were not available to out of season in Northern climates.
Extensive transportation systems now allow produce to be shipped from throughout the world to our tables. Greenhouse production of fruits and vegetables is not as indispensable as it was in those times. Greenhouses are no longer the sole province of the wealthy and can now be enjoyed by practically anyone.
If the fog and midwinter blues are getting you down think about you=re your own personal greenhouse. it will do wonders for your plants. They cannot turn up the heat or travel to Utah's Dixie to get away from the January weather. You will be able to help them as well as lift your own spirits. It is all possible with a personal hobby greenhouse. I will be teaching the very successful Solar Greenhouse Class again this year as either an afternoon or an evening class. Topics covered in the class include; should I have a greenhouse? Should I build myself, use a kit, or have someone else build it? Other class sessions will cover glazing materials, heating and cooling and space utilization.
Join us in the Oak Room on the lower level of the Thanksgiving Gardens Visitors Center.Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20, 27, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Fee: $40.00
The class is Tuesdays from 2:00-4:00 or 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the Thanksgiving Gardens Visitors Center in classroom. Classes begin on January 14 and run for four weeks. The class fee is $40.00 and includes the greenhouse design booklets and other written materials. Please register by calling 801-768-7443 or toll-free 1-888-672-6040 (ext. 4971) to register to guarantee your place in the course.
A special section will cover solar design and managing a solar greenhouse. It is not necessary to own or build a greenhouse to participate in the class. In fact, some participants learn that a greenhouse is not for them and a less expensive hot bed or cold frame or a sunny windowsill is all they need.
In future tips we will cover other aspects of greenhouse growing and greenhouse construction including useful materials, fuels and greenhouse coverings.
