As a child, I went on a trip to the Palm House in Wałbrzych, near the Książ Castle. Prince Hochberg von Pless built it as a wedding gift for his fiancée, Princess Daisy, for seven million gold marks. It was one of the most precious gifts in the history of the world, and the Palm House has no equal to this day. It was probably then that I started dreaming about my own, although more modest, greenhouse. About a place where I will be able to stop summer for a while and welcome spring in winter. However, many years had to pass for my dream to come true. In Świnoujście, I had only a substitute on the plot - a foil tent in which tomatoes and grapes were grown.Then we built a house near Warsaw, where I could arrange a real garden. I decided to fulfill my childhood wish.
My greenhouse was planned and devised from the very beginning. I didn't want a foil tent. Glass has better thermal properties. Besides, the aesthetics of such a structure surrounded by nature is better. We chose the site for construction on purpose - it is the sunniest place on the plot. It is important that the rays reach here at dawn. Thanks to this, the plants cooled down after the night will be able to quickly regenerate.
The greenhouse was built by her husband, Andrzej. He began his work by studying professional literature and advice on the Internet. He also viewed offers in shopping centers. We agreed that the quality of the store's raw materials necessary to build a greenhouse does not guarantee long-term use. Finally, my husband found an offer from the botanical institute in Powsin near Konstancin on the Internet.On the spot, it turned out that the proposed technological solutions suit us: forty-five perfectly transparent panes, strong structure, easy assembly. The greenhouse has tilt windows and double doors on both sides. This is especially important on hot days because it allows for quick air exchange. After experimenting with the foil, I knew that not only the cold can be harmful to plants, but also overheating.
Andrzej decided on a three-module construction. The institute offered on-site assembly, but the cost of such an operation is an additional thousand zlotys. My husband decided to build our greenhouse himself. First, he made a dig for the foundation to a depth of 60 cm. This ensures that pests do not enter the greenhouse from outside. The trench was poured with concrete. He made holes in the foundation with a hammer drill to fix the whole structure properly. Our glass house is large and very light. Not attached to the ground, it could deform under the influence of strong gusts of wind.The installation of the greenhouse was not complicated. However, the help of a few people turned out to be necessary, because it is a spatial structure and it must be held during assembly. At first, I was terrified by the box of bolts and nuts, about five hundred pieces in all. A professional team assembles such a greenhouse in a few hours. Andrzej did everything in three days. He claims he would have done it faster, but it took him the most time to read the instruction manual and look for the right screws!
GARDEN RECIPE: WHAT TO PLANT IN THE GREENHOUSE
Tomatoes are perfect for amateur greenhouse cultivation. The most recommended varieties are: 'Bekas F1', 'Słonka F1', 'Raissa F1', 'Hipop F1', 'Grace F1', 'Gloriana F1'.
Lettuce in a greenhouse can withstand a temperature drop of 7 ° C at night, but during the day it needs to be 20 ° C. Recommended varieties include: 'Alfredo RZ', 'Gardia RZ', 'Natalia RZ', 'Omega RZ'.
Depending on the growing date, variety and type of greenhouse, plant a maximum of 2 greenhouse cucumber seedlings per m². Plants should be grown on rockwool or straw.
The land for growing peppers must be well prepared. It is best to use manure, compost or peat. Before planting, it is recommended to cover the substrate, e.g. with straw or sawdust.
Halina Ryfczyńska
