5 Reasons not to have a greenhouse in Chicago. And the real reasons I still have one.
I’ve mentioned before how my stubborn ass refuses not to have a greenhouse in my backyard in a Chicago suburb. There are so many reasons not to have one and they all make great sense:
It gets so cold here. Like so cold that what can my flimsy greenhouse really do?
My greenhouse is one of those cheap-y ones made of clear green plastic that lays on top of a bunch of poles that have been fit in a just-so way reminiscent of Ikea furniture. Every winter, I put its limits to the test. The wind and the snow batter it relentlessly. But I’ve managed to keep it together with very heavy duty tape and this odd buckle solution my husband came up with after the zipper broke.
Given the above-mentioned conditions, my baby is really struggling. I wouldn’t be surprised if she just fell over one day.
Literally there are no other greenhouses in anyone else’s backyards in my neighborhood. I don’t know if this is due to lack of interest or because the conditions are too challenging. Maybe the latter causes the former. Maybe I should get the hint.
My greenhouse is unheated. If there was ever a place to have a heated greenhouse, it’s here. When it’s -7F in January, it will fail miserably at protecting anything from cold.
I see all these reasons and I raise you my counter-defense:
Even though it’s not a heated greenhouse, it does protect plants from rain, snow, and wind. Some plants can withstand cold but not wet cold (like lavender), this makes the greenhouse a great overwinter home for these potted plants.
Despite her general state of falling apart, she does stand proud. The buckle situation provides good ventilation, which many plant still need. And if you’re wondering how she doesn’t fly away with the wind, my husband came up with the brilliant solution to use landscape staples to stick her into the ground. The staples go over the poles and stick nicely between the stones. I used quite a bit of them, but they work really well. The greenhouse has never budged since putting these in.
Despite all the great reasons not have a greenhouse, I have found that it is a sanctuary. In the spring, before the leaves are on the trees and the sun is fully glimmering into the greenhouse, it can get about ten degrees warmer in there. The difference between 45F outside and 55F inside is everything for both the plants and myself. I sit in there and sow seeds and make notes. It’s snug and it’s cozy. The greenhouse can give me an additional three-ish weeks of growing. Without it, I couldn’t start my seeds as early. Without it, my winter blues would stick around for three more miserable weeks. Without it, i’d have to wait three more gruesome weeks to start gardening.
Besides the benefits to me and the plants, I have found some incredibles bugs seeking refuge in here. Look at the Black Swallowtail! I’ve seem some gorgeous moths and plenty of caterpillars.
All of this is to say that magic happens in the greenhouse. And for me, all the magic is worth the challenges.
