2 Glasshouse Gardens

[Vikki Nagindas]

Nestled in the tranquil embrace of nature, Dawn and Steve's gardens and prairie are a testament to their love of nature and Dawn's passion for gardening. What was once an empty farm field more than a quarter century ago has blossomed into a captivating haven. Today it boasts 7 acres of prairie cultivated by Dawn & Steve. Their hard work alone has molded the 12-acre landscape into a symphony of hardscape, gardens, and prairie. In the heart of this natural space, you'll find their home, a quaint garden shed, and a recently added glasshouse. This 20 14 ft multipurpose glasshouse extends their growing season into the realms of spring and fall. It's not only for plants; it's where they host dinner parties under the stars and intimate gatherings in the evening glow of the glasshouse's beautiful chandelier. Their glasshouse, surrounded by their gardens and prairie, is a testament to their love of nature and the joy it brings them.

Liz and Corentin love every season and have ensured that each of the cottages have private gardens that honour the wonder and beauty of nature as it transitions through the year. Colourful spring daffodils and tulips give way to sweet summer roses, cosmos and dahlias, while autumn and winter give thanks to the gentle whispers of the ornamental grasses swaying in the breeze.

The Lamours have also created larger communal areas that offer a change of scenery whilst soaking up the afternoon and evening sun. The west-facing terrace beside the glasshouse, for instance, is the perfect spot for afternoon tea or a pre-dinner drink serenaded by nothing more than birdsong. Parents can feel confident to relax here with a good book whilst keeping an eye on younger children playing in the nearby wooden castle and sandpit. Older children, meanwhile, might like to escape to the open shed for a game of table football or table tennis.

Truly innovative eco features help keep energy bills to a minimum, helping to maintain comfortable temperatures all year round. There are ample electric and phone sockets for your IT and technology. Every apartment has its own balcony or garden and the entire development is set amongst delightfully landscaped outdoor gardens. Beyond the development itself, the 250 acres of parkland, rivers and canals are open to explore and enjoy.

The park is a great place to have on your doorstep with facilities such as the famous swimming pool now open to the public. The stadium hosts Premiership League football matches and world class sporting events to enjoy and the Arcelor Mittal Orbit slide is fast becoming a notable London attraction.

The London 2012 Games were the beginning of a rejuvenation which has transformed Stratford and the surrounding area into a great place to live and work. You can enjoy the fashionable boutiques and big name stores at Westfield Stradford City shopping centre one day, then explore the enticing restaurants, cafes and bars, of

Stratford is a well connected travel hub and the local station offers access to the Central and Jubilee Lines, Docklands Light Railway, Overground trains and National Rail, with Crossrail opening in the near future, providing you with further travel options.

Building a sustainable glasshouse garden is a rewarding pursuit that not only benefits the environment but also creates a year-round sanctuary for diverse plants. By embracing eco-friendly methods, you can cultivate a flourishing garden that reduces your carbon footprint and promotes a healthier planet.

Whether you are an experienced gardener or just starting, adopting eco-friendly techniques will enhance your gardening experience and support larger environmental goals. This guide will help you implement practices that turn your glasshouse into a beacon of sustainability, strengthening your bond with nature.

Selecting the right glasshouse is crucial for establishing an eco-friendly botanic garden. The design and materials of your glasshouse significantly affect your energy consumption and the overall sustainability of your gardening efforts. Opt for glass houses made with energy-efficient materials and excellent insulation to reduce the need for extra heating.

Consider Sproutwell's glasshouse options and other reliable glasshouse suppliers which offer energy-efficient designs that help maintain a stable internal environment, lessening the reliance on external energy sources. Ensure your glasshouse is robust and suited to your local climate, enhancing its sustainability further.

The location of your greenhouse is also important. Placing it where it receives plenty of natural light will decrease the need for artificial lighting, thus conserving energy. Orienting your glasshouse to maximise sunlight exposure will also enhance plant growth while minimising energy usage.

Water is a valuable resource and managing it efficiently in your glasshouse garden is key to sustainability. Begin by installing a rainwater harvesting system to collect and store rainwater for irrigation, reducing reliance on mains water.

A drip irrigation system is another efficient way to manage water. This method delivers water directly to plant roots, minimising waste and evaporation. It ensures your plants receive adequate water without excess runoff.

Mulching is also beneficial for water conservation. By applying a layer of organic mulch around your plants, you retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering. Mulch also suppresses weeds and improves soil quality as it decomposes, benefiting glasshouse gardens overall.

Healthy soil is the cornerstone of a successful glasshouse garden. Adopting sustainable soil practices not only boosts plant growth but also supports the broader ecosystem. Use organic compost to enrich your soil. Composting kitchen scraps and garden waste creates a nutrient-rich amendment that improves soil structure and fertility.

Practicing crop rotation is essential for sustainable soil management. Rotating different plant families in your botanic garden prevents soil depletion and reduces pest and disease risks. Each plant type extracts different nutrients, so rotation helps maintain a balanced and healthy growing medium.

Avoid chemical fertilisers and pesticides, as they harm beneficial soil organisms and degrade soil quality over time. Instead, use natural alternatives like neem oil or insecticidal soaps for pest control and organic fertilisers such as compost tea or seaweed extract to nourish your plants sustainably.

Maintaining optimal temperature in your glasshouse is crucial for plant health but can be energy intensive. Adopting energy-efficient heating and cooling methods will create a comfortable environment for your plants while reducing energy use. Insulate your greenhouse to retain heat during colder months. Thermal screens or bubble wrap can significantly reduce heat loss.

Consider using renewable energy sources like solar panels to power your greenhouse. Solar energy can run fans, heaters, and lights, cutting down on the need for non-renewable energy sources. A solar-powered ventilation system can efficiently regulate temperature and humidity levels.

For cooling, natural ventilation is a simple and effective method. Opening vents and windows allows fresh air to circulate, lowering temperatures without electric fans. Shade cloths can also protect plants from excessive heat and sunlight, creating a balanced environment in glasshouse gardens.

Minimising waste and promoting recycling are crucial for a sustainable glasshouse garden. Reduce plastic use by opting for biodegradable pots and plant labels made from bamboo or recycled paper. Reusing containers and tools whenever possible also helps cut down on waste.

Composting is an excellent way to recycle organic waste. Instead of discarding plant clippings and kitchen scraps, turn them into compost to enrich your soil. This not only reduces landfill waste but also provides a valuable resource for glasshouse gardens.

Encourage biodiversity by creating habitats for beneficial insects and wildlife. Planting various flowers and herbs can attract pollinators, while leaving some areas undisturbed can provide shelter for beneficial predators. This natural balance reduces the need for chemical interventions and supports a healthy ecosystem within your glasshouse garden.

Creating a sustainable glasshouse garden involves making thoughtful choices and adopting practices that benefit both your plants and the environment. By selecting the right glasshouse, managing water efficiently, practicing sustainable soil management, adopting energy-efficient methods, and reducing waste, you contribute to a healthier and greener future.

These eco-friendly practices not only improve the productivity and health of glasshouse gardens but also foster a deeper connection with nature. Embrace these strategies and transform your glasshouse garden into a model of sustainability, enjoying the rewards of a thriving, eco-friendly oasis.

Set in rolling hills overlooking the Tywi Valley in Carmarthenshire, the Great Glasshouse forms the centrepiece of the 230-hectare National Botanic Garden of Wales. The largest single-span glasshouse in the world, containing more than a thousand Mediterranean plant species, it reinvents the glasshouse for the twenty-first century, offering a model for sustainable development.

As you will remember from my blog on the East Anglia Show, we used the show as an excuse to spend a long weekend in Norwich with my son Robin. On the Sunday following the show, on a morning much sunnier than the day before but still distinctly cold, we visited The Old Vicarage Garden at East Ruston.

The house is a mile and a half from the sea and protected with shelter belts of trees and high hedges. This allows the owners to experiment with an exciting mix of plants, including many that are less than totally hardy elsewhere. We have tried to visit before, but on a Monday when it was closed.

The garden is designed as a series of rooms, allowing the gardeners to experiment with different styles and themes, around a backbone of long straight walks giving view lines to features outside the garden. The rooms and walks are separated by miles of (primarily hornbeam) hedging, neatly clipped.

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