Each year, we are fortunate enough to grow our own vegetables, harvest them, and savour the fruits of our labour. The installation of a glass house enabled us to successfully grow sun-loving plants like tomatoes and strawberries.
Our glass house, which had been in the garden for over a decade, is perfectly fine. Very functional, but not very appealing. We tried to find a glass house which would be a more attractive addition to our garden. We visited many garden centres and searched online, but every glass house looked to be manufactured or was made of plastic.
As a result, we assembled a new wooden greenhouse in the Victorian style.
During the Victorian era, there were major advancements and beautiful designs, particularly in gardening. The glass house, a sign of Victorian resourcefulness, played a vital role in the kitchen garden by creating a controlled space for cultivating various plants. The repeal of the glass tax in 1845, alongside advancements in heating and ventilation, allowed for the construction of these elegant structures. Today, Victorian glass houses continue to inspire gardeners, offering a timeless blend of form and function that enhances the beauty and productivity of kitchen gardens. Whether used to cultivate tomatoes or grow delicate flowers in early spring, these glass houses serve as a living testament to the Victorian commitment to horticultural excellence.
In the picture above, you can see the glass house under construction with a base coat of white paint for outdoor use. Many gardeners are hesitant to use wood because of its tendency to rot. Any materials used in the garden will eventually deteriorate, decay, corrode, or breakdown. Proper maintenance is the secret. You can use any material for your glass houses as long as you maintain them once a year.
We decided on wood for our glasshouse construction so that we could freely choose any colour we liked. A pre-fab glass house is available in either an unattractive garden green or a deep black colour. We settled on mustard yellow. It's unlike anything else, but it pairs nicely with the green foliage of the vegetables and makes a statement.
We are delighted by the positive effect it had on our garden and amazed at how it turned out. I hope this article inspires you to take a similar path and add a beautiful glass house to your garden.
