Welcome to Nana’s Place: A Backyard Greenhouse Tour from West Texas
PHOTO HERE: the front view of Nana’s Place with the door open
The sign over the door says it all: Nana’s Place, weekends, weekdays, whenever. After 34 years of nursing, I wanted a spot in my own backyard that was just for growing things. This little cedar greenhouse became exactly that.
Come on in. I’ll show you around the whole yard.
The greenhouse
The greenhouse is cedar with polycarbonate panels and a pergola-style porch on the front. It sits on its own low deck, which keeps it level and gives me room to line potted flowers along the sides.
Inside is a potting bench running the length of the wall, a fan for summer heat and shelves for starting seeds. On a hot Texas afternoon, airflow is everything.
The porch and hanging baskets
The pergola beams were made for hanging baskets. I rotate white petunias, red geraniums and sweet potato vines, with two tall black planters of hibiscus guarding the door. A welcome mat finishes it off, because every garden deserves a front porch.
The drip line that saves my summer
Watering a dozen pots by hand in July is no fun. I ran a simple drip line along the base of the greenhouse with a small emitter for each container. Geraniums, lantana and portulaca all get a steady drink without me standing out there with a hose.
The view from everywhere
My favorite part may be how the greenhouse shows up from every corner of the yard. You see it through the roses and the wrought-iron fence, framed in the brick arch of the outdoor kitchen, and straight ahead from the patio table where I drink my coffee.
The rest of the backyard
The brick outdoor kitchen anchors one side, with two striped swivel chairs tucked beside it. Under the covered porch is a gray sectional and swivel chairs for evenings with family. Around the side, two chaise lounges and a stone birdbath make the quietest corner of the yard.
What’s next
Fall is when a greenhouse really earns its keep. Next up, I’ll share how I’m getting Nana’s Place ready for cooler weather. Save this tour on Pinterest so you can find it again!