carpentry help on lean to greenhouse

I want a water feature in this yard but I'm afraid there are way too many hefty roots there to dig a pond. A tiny babbling brook and a minuscule waterfall is what I have in mind and a little bridge for it to run under. :) Not so deep to have to dig.
That table probably wont stay there, but a fern would be lovely. Maybe move it in front of the dining room windows after the tree cutters are gone.

I cleared out the scrap boards, electrical and plumbing leftovers and some tools last night from the greenhouse. I left a few tools since it's still a work in progress but it's looking better under the benches. So today I got around to shaving off some dirt under the benches to make room for gravel since it was all cleaned out under there. I got an "L" done of the "U" today. I bought ten bags of gravel to see how far that went. It took 6 bags for the long side and 4 for the center. One more section and I figure 6 more bags of gravel ought to do it. I used three bricks as a separator where I stopped until I get the gumption to shave and haul some more dirt out on the last section. Didn't look like much to it when I started but two inches coming out of those two sections was 6 short wheel barrow loads ! I used to dirt to fill in the huge indent the City curb pick up truck claw has made in the front.

Still looking good. It feels good to clean up, doesn't it? Now you can work without tripping over everything, LOL
Carol

That sure made a difference Connie. Looks much more "finished" (as Mom would say).

Jennifer told me tonight that it really looks good. She said it wasn't as big as she thought it was going to be (from seeing it here on Dave's, compared to in real life). She said she wasn't complaining, just stating the facts Ma'am! HAHAHA

Any news from the treecutters? Have you decided who you will use? If you like them and they do a good job, I may see about getting them to come look at that hideous stump in my back yard. Rick said he thinks that the roots may have affected our sewer system. You'd think we'd have seen evidence over the past year and a half. He said it was gurgling when he was working on it the other night. If the sewer system got messed up, I hope the insurance pays for that.

Ya know Connie, I find it hard to imagine that just 4 months ago, that was only a wild hair in your mind! HAHAHAHA

I can't wait for mom to get here next month and see how far it's come since Christmas. Like Jen, she has seen the photos, but seeing it, and being in there, are two different things.

It's bigger then it started out to be. I looked back up there at my "plan". The main area is 8 X 12 and the other side where the entry, stairs, sink, soil bin and counter is another 6 X 8.
Yep it is looking "finished" now. Under the other side I'm thinking will be where I park the trailer since I may need to get to the hidden access door that goes under the deck that is under that bench. I even thought this evening I could use what's left of the load of driveway rocks under that side. Depends on how many loads of dirt I haul out. There's probably at least four wheel barrow loads of driveway gravel left. The little pebbles move when I scoot things around. Those wouldn't so they might make a better pavement for the trailer. I could shave off a little less on that side to be sure I have enough.
I'm using the second guy since he wants to trade out tintin' some winders for the tree cutting. :) It may be a couple weeks. I have a ditch dug out there across the yard right now so I hope it is a little while so I can get that finished and closed back up. Making the gutter drain to the front so I have to run some PVC in the ditch towards the front with a pop up sprinkler. Too many irons in the fire !

Yes it does feel good Carol. I dreaded the scrap clean up and it's such a relief to have that done and out. I put off moving too many of the tools... in case the mood strikes they'll be there. I might need another set for the shop so I can just leave them in the greenhouse and not have to walk 20 steps to the shop to get what I need. LOL I'm so lazy!

I forgot about that. (wriggling eyebrows) I wonder if that second guy needs any taxes done! HAHAHAHAHA I do prefer trading to having to spend the buckaroos.

I'll ask him when he comes by with the foreman to let him see what he's biting off.

I got energetic this evening. Got the parking spot done with the gravel and left the separator of bricks. Then I sneaked to Lowe's after the bank this evening and got three more bags of pea gravel for under the stairs. One more spot inside the cabinet needs gravel but it's already below the bricks so it won't be nearly as much work and it's not very big. Just where the shelf sits. I might just put the driveway gravel under there. Couple of shovels full would do it but it needs a border on it's back and each side to keep them from spreading way back in there and up under the house where it's not necessary. I'll just scrounge up a few more bricks and do a border to contain them.

The parking area:

Under the stairs. This second batch of pea gravel was sure dirtier and darker looking than the bags I got at Home Depot yesterday. I was concerned they might look different (I know... who cares? ) but once I hosed them off they look just like the others.

where the two meet

:) before...

:^) Now...

I'm still observing my sun in this yard so hardly anything in the ground yet. But it's looking so much better. I've stopped at the end of the patio. More area to finish still but I blocked that horrid view with some plants so I can't see it when I sit there. The tree is gone. YAY!!
Newest section beside the AC between it and the back door.

Didn't need the AC today so I'm anxious to hear if the noise will be reduced with the new camouflage around it.

Maidentheshade:

You could reduce the noise even further by installing some weatherproof insulation inside the new fencing. Better yet, they make special noise-absorbing insulation (but at higher price). I've found it in sailing forums for dealing with engine noise, but can't seem to find it today.

Thanks Hank, I'll check in to that. Still didn't need it running today so not sure how much muffling we have yet. But I had done the right side first a couple days before the front (where the grill/venty part is) and just doing that made a big difference in it;s noise. It's fairly new and is really a quiet unit compared to the previous one. The old one did a tremendous clunk every time the compressor kicked on. Frightening ! But while I'm sitting out there I'd like to not have that noise as a distraction. I'd probably get used to it just like people living next to train tracks. :) Huh??? what train?

Connie, I was just looking through this thread again. I do believe it's time for some new photos of your greenhouse and new side yard. I know how much your plants have grown, but these folks haven't seen the updated yard. You've done so much out there and it looks fantastic!

Janet

Thanks Janet! I have a couple pics of the new windows inside and the sail shades where you can see most of the plants in the side yard. I'll take some more tomorrow.

the sail shades with much of the yard but more you can't see because they're growing over so fast!

Edited to respell much instead of mush. :)


This message was edited Sep 4, 2007 11:24 PM

Connie,

I just love the stained glass windows. I know you've always been a big fan of stained glass pieces. The sail shades look wonderful. I took Rick by there today, while you were gone, so he could see it and he couldn't believe the difference in the place, compared to the Riley Days. I think the last time he was there was right after the greenhouse was finished. He didn't make any commitments to getting them for our own patio, but I thin k I can convince him. :-) He loved the garden armoire you built. Said you did a jam up job on it.

I love coming over there for coffee and just looking around at YOU. You've captured your personality in the most thrifty ways. But I'm not surprised. You've achieved Paradise there in that spot of Southeast Texas. :-)

It's just amazing how many plants and cool walkways, etc. you have managed to put into that space. You and I will have to spend some time out there with the camera BEFORE the plants have to be brought inside. I want to get you in the photos also, so comb your hair and rinse off your knees. HAHAHAHAHA

Janet

Great informative thread. I find I can always pick up useful ideas on the GH forum. I try to stay out though as it makes me "lust" ALOT at this time of year. Thanks for the ideas Connie...

Ha ha! Janet! My dirty knees I am notorious for forgetting to wash.

Thanks so much for looking podster. I have had such fun with this project. Not only the construction but the decorating and messing around in there since then. I hope you soon have one too. I'm already worrying whether they will all fit in there this year when the time comes. I think they will, as some have gone in the ground while others filled their pots so I may not have as many as I think I do...yeah riiiiiight. LOL

I was at Connie's house the other day with my camera. It was high noon, so these aren't the best photos, but it's what I took. I just thought I'd show you all how grown up things have gotten over the summer.

I'm standing at the Garden Armoire taking the photo.

Zooming in a bit from the same spot. I love the way the shade sails look. I really wish the sun hadn't been so bright that day.

Closer shot of the greenhouse

The area to the left of the back door (as you walk out of the house)

The area to the right of the back door (as you walk out of the house)

Going a little further to the right

Looking at the front entrance to the side yard.

Same view, from the greenhouse door.

It is amazing how much her plants have grown. It's really amazing when you think that at this time last year, this was really wasted real estate that belonged to the dog, Riley.

Excellent take over Connie! Ya done did good!!!

Good thing there's a path to get through ! :)
Thanks for those pics Janet!

Thanks for the update! So how was it playing with the greenhouse this year??

Great jazz! It was wonderful to have everything right there to pot new ones up or start seeds. Since it's so close to the back door I use it as a little shop while I am cutting wood or painting trim. I'll miss having my benches to work on or just piddle around in when it's full of plants this winter. But that is what it's for!

Connie what an amazing and lush oasis! Did you make your own rain chains?

Thanks for the posting the updates, Janet!!

Thank you. Yes Perenialgirl. I knew that valley there in the roof would just POUR right on all the plants I put there so I had to do something. The little system works great. It overflows into the existing gutter which goes in a pipe underground sloped to the front of the house. I put an emitter valve on the end of it which pops up when the water gets to it and spreads out.

I did something else kinda sneaky. I routed the drain on the Air Conditioner into the gutter at first too because it was always wet back behind the unit. Never was done correctly by my X the Xpert. Then I thought what a waste! So I added some PVC elbows and pipe and came across the path on a slope to the EE's which were drooping before the days end when I could get there to water them. Now they are standing up straight being selfwatered!

Incredibly impressed with this project! Amazing!

Thanks gessiegail. It's almost time to bring them all in. I've cleared out my little projects off the benches getting ready for winter. The yard'll look so bare without them hanging around. But the greenhouse'll look purdy. :)

My mind is just churning trying to figure out how to turn my front screened in porch into a greenhouse just for the winter months. I may just go get poly and wrap it and tack it down.

Yours is awesome!!!!!!!!!!

gessie, Have you wrapped your yet? That's what I did in the past and still do for my patio. It has a deck over it but no real roof. I wrap plastic and staple it up there closing in all the exposed sides. Most things under there are in the ground. I knew when I did the patio under the deck I would have to avoid reaching out too far with plantings here and there in the bricks. Then one year I got a wild hair and forgot not to extend out too far so then the plastic had to come out even further around my shade cloth ( 8' X 10' tacked to 2 X 2's )extension over the outer part. Looks hideous when the plastic is up and big ol' rocks and cinder blocks holding down the bottom, but all my plants do just fine. I think as little winter as we get it's warmer enough in there for them and haven't lost any to the freeze. Could also be because it's got my shop wall on one side and the house on another so I really only have two sides to worry with. And one of those is a 6 foot fence so only the top is exposed.