An Interview with Darla!

I am very pleased to have the privilege of calling so many gardeners my friend.  One such friend is Darla of More Family and Flowers.  She is such a treat to read, and view.  Her photos are outstanding and her gardens are both whimsical and beautiful.  Darla is a stay at home Mom with a passion for gardening.

Is she NOT the cutest thing?

As a greenhouse gardener myself I always get excited when my friends tell me they have just gotten their first greenhouse.  When I hear from Darla that she had just gotten one…I was tickled pink.  There is no one I could think of that would love a greenhouse more than she.  It was then that I jumped on the idea of interviewing our Darla for the Friends Who Grow Year Round segment.

The following is how Darla describes her gardening passion:

“I love experimenting with plants and pushing my 8-8b Zone. When I see the bumbles, birds and butterflies I know I’m doing something right..”

What garden zone is your greenhouse located in?

8 -8b

What inspired you to have a greenhouse?

I love to start seeds and root cuttings.  Come January and February the dining room, kitchen and part of the master bedroom would have germination trays with various heights of lighting.  Needless to say it was an eyesore to everyone but me.  Then there was the rearranging of them and hauling them in and out of the house when the weather began to warm up.  Blogging and seeing so many different styles of greenhouses and how one area could house all I needed, I started dreaming of owning one.  Christmas of 2010 my husband made this dream come true.

What did you take in consideration when you decided to build a greenhouse of your own? Did you have a ‘reason’ you wanted a greenhouse of your own in your garden?

I took into consideration where the greenhouse would get the best sun and my access to running water and electricity.  The main reason I wanted a greenhouse was to try my hand at year around gardening.

Tell me about your greenhouse – what made you decide on using an aluminum frame?

I personally had no input on the building materials used for my greenhouse.  It was a gift, Snap and Grow.  It has an aluminum frame and shatter proof plastic windows.

what was the cost involved with this project?

I have seen them for around $800.00 dollars.  Haven’t any idea the price paid for mine.

Were the sales associates at Lowes / Home Depot ( where did you purchase from) help you with this adventure?

My husband said he googled greenhouses and this one came up at Sears. The directions were very easy for him to understand and would have had it put together in one day had it not rained.

What do you use to heat your greenhouse?  do you heat it?

Don’t let the name of the state of Florida fool you, as I am in North Florida.  We do dip into the teens (Fahrenheit) during the months of Dec. – Feb. .  As of late not only have we dipped below freezing, we have stayed there for several days in a row on and off.  I have an electric fan heater.

Do you grow year-round in this greenhouse?

At this time the greenhouse is new to me, and perfect timing, to start my seeds in.  I have not had a full years experience with it yet.  Although I can reasonably say, yes, I will be using it year around, if nothing other than to root some cuttings.

What are your favorite things to grow in the greenhouse?

Ah, I am enjoying overwintering plants that would have succumbed to Jack Frost if left under those sheets and blankets in the gardens.  Some seeds have germinated already and that really makes me smile.

If you could give someone thinking about starting their own greenhouse any tips / ideas what would it be?

Location, location, location!

Thank you so much for doing this. I love having you as part of my greenhouse connections.

My pleasure Glenda…

if you know anyone else with a greenhouse, that might like to be interviewed…let me know!

I am absolutely honored that Darla took the time out to let me interview her!  Thank you Darla my friend…Your gardens always inspire me!

Until next time…  Happy Gardening!

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`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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