The greenhouse was previously owned by Janine's Uncle, Floyd Herzing.
Floyd and his wife Eppie operated, Herzing's Greenhouse,
for many many years.
It was a very successful business just down the road from us
on Bucktail Trail.
They have retired from the greenhouse business, so we purchased their hoop house in the spring of 2007 in hopes of starting our own little endeavor...but there is much work to be done!
This big thing has to come down and move up the street to our home.
Not an easy task to say the least!
Chapter 1:
What! Tear down this whole thing! Yikes!
Chapter 2:
Umm! The biggest puzzle we've ever put together!
Just how do all these pieces fit together?
We had a challenge ahead of us!
It started with lots of digging for the posts to go into the ground.
There were 50 posts that each needed to be 2 feet in the ground! Needless to say, we had sore arms for a few weeks from digging and pounding them in with a sledgehammer!
Marty's father, Marvin is very handy when it comes to woodworking and he build a beautiful curved frame on the ends of the house
to attach the plastic.
When the day came to put on the plastic we were grateful for the help we received from some friends and family. Since the plastic was not new it was more difficult to handle than putting on new. We estimated that it weighed around 300 lbs. and lit took everything we all had to get it on the hoops. We all were amazed at just how hard it was to move that plastic! We could tug and pull our hardest and it seemed like it only moved inches, but somehow when it was all over and done, it seemed to fit like a glove! Amazing!
Marty wanted an early start for the Farmer's Market this year,
so he tried his hand
at planting some veggies in ground inside the greenhouse.
We actualy had fresh tomatoes, peppers and red beets up until Christmas!
Chapter 3:
Janine says, "It has to be pretty too!"
We begin landscaping. Janine has a vision and begins
to bull into this project.
It started out as just a little garden, but as you will see in the pictures, it got a little larger.
A small pond was dug out by hand...which was a chore since we dediced to make it 5 feet deep which is recommended in case we ever get the urge to put some fish in there.
We devised a fountain, and an old watering can was converted into a waterfall-type feature.
Later we purchased a log swing for seating and scrounged up some big rocks and put in a rock sidewalk to match what is around our home now. We also gathered rocks for weeks from our gardens to use as fill in the garden. An old rusty potato digger was given to us by Marty's brother and it works great as a conversation piece in the garden. We then needed to fence in the pond for safety reasons, so, split rail fencing was added
with a smaller wire fence around the pond to keep it safe.
Autumn came too fast this year! Janine planted some bulbs to add spring color to the landscaping
as she hopes the voles don't make them a winter meal!
Chapter 4:
We need water & electricity!
In between the landscaping and tending to our other gardens, we needed to get all the utilities into the greenhouse, so we rented a ditch witch over Memorial Day weekend and dug up quite a mess! We started behind the house to put in a water line to our gardens behind the house. Why not? As long as the place was getting torn up...let's go crazy, right!
When we got a leaky fuel line, the service man arrived in a jiffy, (quite impressive for a holiday weekend!) We were back up and running in no time!
We managed in 3 short days to dig and lay water and electric lines to the backyard garden, the back yard garden's water feature, the shed, the greenhouse and the pond
by the greenhouse. Whew!
It would still be weeks to fill them in &
to get the lawn looking good again.
Glad that job is done!
Chapter 5:
Greenhouse "GOES GREEN" with bio-diesel fueled furnace!
Heating a greenhouse of this size is more of an expense than we wanted,
so we are doing our part to keep the earth "green" and save on our fuel bill
at the same time by using homemade bio-diesel!
We found a good used furnace on the Internet and Hunter was eager to help haul it down to the greenhouse on his favorite wagon! Marty had some challenges setting up this system...reading about the furance and learning about making the bio-diesel, but he worked out all the kinks and things were up and running! He did stop to hitch up a temporary rope swing for the kids to play on! Lots of fun in the middle of winter when it's too cold to be outside!
There is still lots to do...the flooring is now laid, but getting muddy from construction.
We begin building lots and lots of tables for the plants and start
planning our inventory and studying seed catalogs...
all in hopes of opening in the spring of 2008...will it be possible?
Chapter 6:
Colored Lights &
Marty will be seeing tables in his dreams!
Christmas time was nearing and Marty decided to put
colored lights in the greenhouse for decoration...what a site to see!
Then it was time to start building the new tables.
Marty kept busy for weeks building the tables for the greenhouse.
We all helped the best we could with cutting the boards, but he was the "master carpenter".
Tables, tables, tables! I wonder if he will get them out of his mind!
We are so anxious to get other things going, but without the tables,
you just can't do much in a greenhouse.
So finally, after endless days and weeks, the tables are all completed!
That's the story,
(for now)...
and we're still growing!
More updates to come as they happen!
Keep us in your favorites and stop back again!
Hope to see you this season!
Welcome to the tour!
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Chapter 7:
Things are getting more colorful in here!
Well, after what seemed to be an eternity, we are finally seeing
some beautiful & colorful plants blossoming in the greenhouse.
Tiny seeds have been planted & all the months of building
are finally seeming all worth it, with each little sprout!
Things are getting more exciting now, even though we still have
work to be done on the actual greenhouse. A check out counter and displays are still
in the works and if it ever gets warmer out...a nicer parking area and drive way
are part of the plans. Spring is taking it's good ole time this year, isn't it?
Our parking area and drive way
had much to be desired
when it came to getting into the greenhouse.
The mud situation we have been living with for the past few months is being resloved.
We have been waiting for a nice day
to finally work on this.
A weed barrier with gravel on top should do the job.
Now there is some new grass to be planted
along the edge and
some finishing touches on where to spread
out all the gravel.
(By the way...since I am taking all these pictures, you don't get to see me working.
Believe me, I am doing my fair share...lol...It's just that no one else stops to take
the pictures except for me. I moved plenty of gravel dirt and stones with my shovel that day,
but I really love every minute of it!)
Chapter 8:
See you later, MUD!
Chapter 9:
Greenhouse front gets a new look!
Marty gets a helping hand from his Dad
as they start adding
the double doors and wooden front to the greenhouse.
It's getting close to opening day, so we are hoping
that the weather holds out so things can get done!
I on the other hand have been painting signs, doors, window trim & potting, potting and potting!
We want to see a full greenhouse
of flats and hanging baskets
and all those little starter plants need to
be re-potted in flats and hanging baskets.
It's something I love to do, and it's a good feeling to see the greenhouse coming to life
with all different selections of
flats and hanging baskets!
We can't wait to have you all come in and find something pretty for your home or Mother's Day!
2007
2007
2007
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2008
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2008
Chapter 10:
Finishing touches!
2008
We needed to fix up a parking area, so some more gravel was delivered
and with some fancy tractor maneuvers by Marty...it's shaping up!
We are now just days from our grand opening!
We are anxious to welcome our customers!
Our first season was a wonderful experience! We can't wait to do it all again!
A New Season in the works:
Chapter 1:
More tear down...oh no!
GREENHOUSE # 2
Opening Spring 2009!
July - Nov. 2008
Summer 2008: During the busy Farmer's Market season...we needed to
tear down Herzing's 2nd greenhouse and begin construction
of our second greenhouse. The ground needed prepared
and we had some great friends and neighbors help out with that job.
Then the poles needed to be pounded in and the arches assembled.
Water lines, electric & phone lines, etc... were extended from
the first house to the second...
then the plastic...(that heavy and hard to move plastic...ugh), was finally draped over
the arches...secured with bolts and trim boards...and just in time....the first snowfall came on
Oct. 29 and never let up! The construction of new tables for the plants, and
all the workings of the new greenhouse will begin now...(deja vu)...didn't we
spend last winter in the cold doing the same thing...ha ha!
Chapter 2:
Will it ever stop snowing?
Winter 2009
Jan. 2009 and still SNOW! Expected now, but this has been going on since
October! Marty managed to enclose the ends of the greenhouse from the elements, but now we will need to build the tables, and install all the utilities. Then
if we ever get a spring this year....lol...we will continue to finish the front and
work on a bigger parking area. For now, (January) we are focusing on placing our
orders for seeds, soil, plant tags and potting materials, then, starting more plants
in the coming months. I also hope to offer many new craft items for sale with gardening themes, so I keep busy in the craft room when it's too cold to work outside.
May 1st will come quickly now that we have lots to do!
....(April 2009): The plants are coming along nicely, but we are still
building! UGH! Don't worry...it's coming along...slow but steady.
Let's just hope for some nice weather to finish all the construction.
...more updates coming soon!
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Chapter 3:
The rush is on!
Spring 2009
Now that spring is here, the plants are looking great!
We are still in the process of building the storefront, as well as
transplanting, transplanting and transplanting!
The plug trays we started the plants in from seed now have to be emptied out and the plants transplanted to the packs, pots and hanging baskets
that you the customer take home.
It is a very busy time of year and every waking moment seems to be
spent on the transplanting & watering....but this year it's more difficult,
since we are still under construction too!
Our storefront has begun to spring up
and we are hopeful that it will be ready for our opening on May 1, but
it will be a close call. Marty and his Dad are busy with the construction!
The rain and snow this winter and spring
really put a so called "damper" on the construction, so we are
trying to make up time and get the job done....who needs sleep anyway?
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(lol)
Chapter 4:
It's all coming together
April 2009
Chapter 5:
Will we meet our deadline!
April 19th! WHAT!!! We open May 1...and on April 19th
the walls of the storefront are going up!
With help from family and friends, we had a good old fashioned
"barn raising" ceremony! (Well, sort of).
I always imagined building a barn someday and having a barn raising...
cooking a good home cooked meal for the hard working men with my apron
on to protect my long cotton dress...
Ooops...sorry! I'm dreaming...We had a "storefront raising"...
I was wearing my sweats...with my Daughtry shirt...ha ha...
uh, I was too busy to cook, but we all enjoyed great take out
pizza and donuts! Not exactly home cookin' but these guys worked
hard on that chow! ha ha!
I want to extend sincere and heartfelt thanks to EVERYONE who
was a part of that day and all the days before and leading up to the
construction of our store. We couldn't have done it without you and
we will be forever grateful! A very very special THANK YOU is in store
for Marty's parents for all the long hours they put in helping us this year
with the construction of the greenhouse and the transplanting of all those itty bitty
plants we started! Marvin Riddle is not only the best father-in-law I could have
ever imagined, but he is also a very gifted and talented builder! You can throw any
project at him and he will come up with a plan & make your own ideas so much
better & he can put it all together so effortlessly!
He works circles around people twice as young as him. He is truly a gem!
Helen Riddle, is a caring & dedicated mother-in-law. She put in countless hours
helping us transplant so we could be ready on opening day. She truly has a good heart and
the best work ethic of anyone I know! Hats off to them both! We owe you so much!!!!
Just over a week before opening day, & still building!
I am a nervous wreak, but I have faith in all who are
part of this. We couldn't work any harder or sleep any
less, so what's done is done, by May 1st...I've accepted that, but
low and behold...we are in the homestretch!
Another great friend, Russ, came over to help with the roofing.
We are so blessed to have great friends like him.
He worked like a machine and got the roofing done enough to
keep us high and dry...and the shingles went on opening day...so we weren't exactly "finished" but we had a store!
I stayed up on the eve of opening day sweeping sawdust and
decorating and creating a store! I was up until 4am, but
it was nice to come back down at 8:30am to see it just about
finished! I dragged myself to keep going that day, but
just knowing we were done with the biggest parts of this project
kept me going, along with the happy faces of the customers that day!
Our first few "open days" flew by with greeting
our customers, and inbetween finishing up little things like painting, wiring...and yes
TRANSPLANTING! We have tons to choose from on opening day, but
we need just a few more days to complete the transplanting...luckily most
people aren't in a hurry to start their vegetable gardens yet. lol We need things
to warm up around here first, but as of today, we are nearly done with that job...whew!!!!
April - May 2009
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Summer-Fall 2009
Just Summer flew by...but it seemed like nothing but rain this year!
We began the porch to the storefront in Aug. and were delayed by
the rain...again! Things finally came together and we now have our
porch and roof! I am so grateful! No more sawdust for awhile, (I hope).
We hope you can all come and see our new storefront...porch and all!
It's been a busy season with all this construction. I don't know how we did so much considering the weather this year, but we are satisfied with the progress, and more than
satisfied with the support of the community for this our second year.
We cannot wait for next season! We've started planning already for it, so we hope
to see you again so that we can help you plan the garden you've been dreaming of!
Have a great day and thank you for visiting our web site!
