The instruction page showed a little elderly lady deftly snapping the collapsed greenhouse about and easily placing it back into its little tote. Sadly, after spending much time searching through everything that came with the greenhouse, I was unable to locate the lady - so I must conclude she was not included and that I'd have to get the structure back into its bag on my own (darn).
Emptied of all its plants, I quickly pulled up the stakes. Next the shade cover (think I'll do without that next winter) was removed and folded (i.e. wadded) up.
The top and side poles came out rather easily. The top one was tight to get in, and still tight to get out - but not terribly hard. The poles pulled apart and stored easily.
Having worked with tents, I figured I'd be smart and leave the doors slightly unzipped to prevent the structure from holding air as I collapsed it down. Of course, I then realized - duh - it ain't got no floor. Well, I guess there's not any danger of a giant air bubble then.
Spent some time studying the instruction's pictures and words - which seemed to make sense initially, but started making less as I tried to actually implement them - but it basically worked as they said: bend this end over there, form a taco shell, then collapse it in on itself. And by golly, it actually worked (still would have preferred to have the elderly lady taking care of it). The whole structure slipped back into its tote with considerably less effort than putting a rolled-up tent back into its bag.
Safely back in its tote (along with the shade cloth, poles & stakes), the pop-up greenhouse is heading to storage where it will wait until freezes once again come calling.
Well done! I only can hope that taking down our 'shade pavilion greenhouse' goes half as smoothly. Of course it will be at least a month before we even try. This being a record cold and wet spring here.
ReplyDeleteNot bad! I'm hoping to get away from any plants that need to be protected through the winter. I know, you're laughing; me too, but that's what we're telling the husband!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog. On your question about the Leopard Plants, I do not give them any extra care at all. They are planted in the shade and do receive water from the sprinkler system, but not anything more than the rest of my yard. In the middle of July and August, I water twice a week if needed, but the rest of the year I water maybe once a week (spring/fall) or once every two weeks (winter), depending on rainfall. The plants remained evergreen even through all of the snow we had last year even. I hope you give them a try. They are easy, easy. The solid green leopard plant has reseeded and I potted up about 20 little babies this spring to give away to clients. Wish you lived closer; I'd give you one to try. That way you'd have nothing to lose.
ReplyDeleteHI RBell, that fold up greenhouse looks really cool and like it was easy to handle. It actually could be a solution for some of the plants, I have planted in the ground and that I need to protect from the freeze during the few cold winter days we have down here. All my container plants I usually move several time during the winter in my garage.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem I could see are the bad winds like we had them last winter and I'm really wondering if it can be secured well enough to withstand them.
Regards
Paula Jo
Danger: Rather pleased with it so far; is a pretty small capacity though.
ReplyDeleteCat: Yeah - been moving that direction somewhat also - especially with the larger pots. But will likely keep my smaller aloe pots no matter what.
Toni: Thanks for the answer! Thinking I may have to try a Leopard plant - especially one of those spotted or variegated ones pictured in your blog.
PJ: It does come with numerous stakes and some tie-down ropes, but can't testify to wind-resistance as mine was fairly protected. A friend of mine bought the same and placed it on his deck which received a fair bit of wind and he said it was solid - so that's likely a good sign.
Hey! That old lady needs to come to my garden as well! Looks like a nice setup...much better than my plastic-with-staple-gun method of my winter green house.
ReplyDeleteDavid
I have always wondered if those worked! Nice blog. Here by way of Rock Rose.
ReplyDeleteK
David: It worked pretty well - as long as you don't need more space (5x5 foot sounds like a good size until you start putting plants in there!)
ReplyDeleteKacky: Glad you stopped by for a visit (I know its hard to stop looking at the Rock Rose garden - so very nice!)