Category: Greenhouses

  • The Orangery Greenhouse: Past and Present

    The Orangery Greenhouse: Past and Present

    For many plant lovers, an Orangerie or orangery greenhouse adds a new dimension to gardening and allows tender and exotic plants to be nurtured and grown. Long before modern orangeries began gracing the yards of gardening enthusiasts, the original Orangeries were mainly used for growing (you guessed it!) oranges.

    History of the Orangery Greenhouse

    Originating in England in the 17th century, these structures were first designed to cultivate fruit trees and became a symbol of wealth and prestige for the elite. Groundskeepers imported orange trees, banana plants, and pomegranates and nurtured the exotic fruits in Orangeries.

    Versailles, St. Petersburg, and Vienna were home to some of the most well-known examples of orangery architecture.  Some were completely freestanding, while others were attached to houses, where exotics could be grown and protected from harsh frosts.

    As the understanding of plant care evolved and the cost of glass diminished, Orangeries became prominent in more estates and served as an architectural feature of the garden. 

     

    citrus

    What Do People Grow in Orangeries Today?

    Today, Orangeries can be used to grow various fruits and plants, including figs, avocados, bananas, and citrus. They’re also suitable for cultivating herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. For those seeking a decorative space, an Orangerie can be an excellent solution for growing succulents and cacti. Unlike traditional Orangeries, which were mainly for citrus cultivation, modern Orangeries blend the aesthetics of a conservatory with greenhouse functionality, serving as a stylish space for both plants and relaxation.

    Discover Janssens Junior, Royal, and Antique Orangerie Greenhouses

    With their T-shaped design, the Janssens line of Orangeries captures the charm of English greenhouses. Despite their heirloom aesthetic, they are made with 4mm tempered glass and a 17-gauge aluminum frame. They’re not just attractive; they’re also designed to withstand strong winds and moderate hail.

    Janssens Orangeries Feature:

    • Glass panels secured with heavy-duty rubber seals provide superior insulation to other glass greenhouses. This results in lower energy costs and more consistent temperatures.
    • 4mm tempered glass, which is 1mm thicker than that offered by most competitors
    • Seamless vertical glass panels to enhance both appearance and ease of cleaning
    • Elegant roof edge and classic English design
    • Thicker and stronger aluminum profiles for added durability

    Consider your primary goals when choosing between a traditional greenhouse and an Orangerie. A traditional polycarbonate greenhouse may be more suitable if you seek optimal plant growth and functionality. However, an Orangerie can deliver if you desire an aesthetically pleasing space with lots of sunlight for gardening and relaxation.

    Need help finding your dream garden structure? Contact one of our partners for more information about our Janssens line of Orangeries, modern, antique, and Victorian greenhouses.

     

  • Where to Place Your Victorian Green House

    Where to Place Your Victorian Green House

    If the idea of a Victorian green house conjures up visions of a garden escape, you’re not alone. These timeless structures are more than just beautiful; they offer a unique combination of traditional charm and functional design. When placed thoughtfully in your garden, a Victorian greenhouse can provide the perfect environment for your plants to thrive. With high ceilings and ornate details, they’re the ultimate choice for those who want both form and function and pay homage to a bygone time.

    Why Choose a Victorian Green House?

    What makes a Victorian greenhouse stand out among other options? Unlike modern or polycarbonate greenhouses, they usually have a pitched roof, many have finials, and can feature large, expansive glass panels that let in maximum sunlight. The glass allows your plants to bask in natural light from all angles, which is essential for growth. Plus, the vintage style adds a touch of character to your garden space.

    While owning a Victorian greenhouse can provide the edge to gardening by providing a controlled environment, there are no guarantees you’ll have a green thumb or be able to nurture finicky plants or crops without any challenges.

    There are lots of factors that should be considered if you plan on becoming the master of your greenhouse space.

    First and foremost, location is everything. Carefully planning this before purchasing can help ensure your happiness and success, whether you choose a Victorian greenhouse or a traditional style.

    Find the Perfect Spot for Your Victorian Greenhouse

    To maximize prosperity from your plants, you should aim to place your greenhouse with the ridge running from East to West. This exposure means your plants will happily bask in sunlight all day, which is necessary for colorful blooms, healthy foliage, and for bearing fruits.

    Worried about sensitive plants? Shading solutions can help solve that as can aftermarket tinting. There is solar film that can be applied later to the glass, or greenhouse whitewash paint- something like Kool Ray Liquid Shade. This is painted on the greenhouse and wears off over the spring/summer with the weather. Creative greenhouse owners can also partition areas of their space with plants needing more or less sunlight and arrange what grows there as needed. There’s also shade cloth and exhaust fans to help control indoor temps.

    Keep in mind a glasshouse like those from the Janssens Victorian or Alton’s Cedar greenhouses are excellent in cold weather but can heat up quickly in the summertime when temps soar, especially in southern climates. Even with proper ventilation and shade, glasshouses can be too warm to grow comfortably in mid to late summer. Sometimes they are best for extending the growing season, overwintering, and having an outdoor space for other leisure activities.

    More to Consider

    Not only is the exposure a major factor in determining greenhouse placement you’ll also need to think about the ground below. Your greenhouse should be placed on level footing. This will help reduce site preparation and help ensure you have the best base. Unlevel ground means your doors may not close properly or fit together.

    Need power to your greenhouse? Think about your utilities, too. You may consider laying conduits under your foundation to power your exhaust fan, intake vent, lighting, and heater. And you should consider installing water lines. A greenhouse situated closer to the home can offset some of the costs of bringing in power and water.

    Last, even though trees can be helpful and serve as a natural shading source, they’ll also block natural sunlight, which some plants need to thrive. In hotter climates trees can be useful, but falling limbs can damage your greenhouse, so keep that in mind.

    Need Help?

    With proper consideration, you can find the perfect location for your greenhouse. Exaco distributes European and Victorian greenhouses for all types property owners. Contact our team if you have any questions about ideal site placement or for more assistance selecting the best greenhouse for your needs.

    Whether it’s a Victorian greenhouse or a modern outdoor structure, where you put it makes all the difference.

  • Why Every Family Needs a Kitchen Compost Pail

    Why Every Family Needs a Kitchen Compost Pail

    Whether you’re new to composting or what some may call a master of the science, a kitchen compost pail is a must-have product for collecting kitchen scraps for your compost pile, where they can begin the next step of decomposition.

    Few gems in gardening can compare to the benefits of compost. The organic material improves your soil and diverts organic waste from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and methane production, a major contributor to climate change. Composting is good for the planet and is a sustainable way to feed your garden and plants with homegrown goodness, which some call “Black Gold.”

    How can you incorporate composting into your gardening routine, and why is it so important for your garden? Together, we will discover the wonders of compost and how it can improve your growing experience.

    The Ancient Roots of Composting

    Composting is as old as time. Long before we knew the dangers of landfills and their environmental effects, our ancestors were practicing composting. The Greek, Roman, Chinese, Japanese, Scottish, and Native American cultures reused organic waste (since the Stone Age). Although they may not have relied on products like a kitchen compost pail to make scrap collection easier, they still took natural resources such as fish, manure, fish waste, and plant materials to fertilize their crops.

    What Is Compost? Nature’s Gift

    When organic materials, such as fallen leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen waste, break down over time, they become compost. Appropriately layered in a composting pile or a bin, the material slowly turns into a nutrient-rich addition that should be mixed into garden beds and potted plants to help grow healthy plants. While fertilizer adds nutrients to support plant growth, compost provides nutrients and improves soil structure and health.

    The Benefits of Composting

    Composting is a very basic process. You can put yard clippings into a pile and let nature do the rest in its own time. Compost will happen, yet it will happen very, very slowly. However, when you provide a balanced diet for the organisms that do the work of composting, you speed up the entire process. 

    Composting is a great way to deal with kitchen scraps and yard waste. It keeps that material out of the landfill, which is better for everyone. Not only that, it makes fantastic soil. Think of it as a vitamin boost for your garden. 

    Compost also helps the soil hold onto water, so you don’t have to water your plants as often. And it’s like a party for the soil’s helpful little bacteria and fungi. They munch on the organic matter and turn it into this super-rich food that plants love. 

    Why Use a Kitchen Compost Pail?

    Not all kitchen compost pails are created equal. While some gardeners opt for a regular lidded coffee can to store kitchen scraps, a kitchen compost pail with a lid and a filter reduces odors.

    A kitchen compost pail with a one-to-two-gallon capacity is a good size for the average household, making collecting kitchen scraps easy. By the time it is full of kitchen scraps, apple peelings, old lettuce leaves, tea bags, etc., it’s time for it to go into your outdoor compost bin, where it will mature. Too big of a container, and it’s likely to attract fruit flies.

    If you have children, add emptying the compost pail to one of their household chores to help foster sustainability. Being a good steward of the earth means living responsibly and protecting our valuable resources to minimize waste and ensure a healthy planet for future generations. Small steps like utilizing a kitchen compost bin to collect your scraps are just one thing you can do to make a difference.  

    What to Compost

    Compost may be made up of “brown waste,” such as leaves and branches, or “green waste,” such as fruit and vegetable scraps. The ideal mix is 2/3 “browns” and 1/3 “greens”.

    • Vegetables
    • Tea/coffee
    • Nutshells
    • Eggshells
    • Fruit
    • Houseplants
    • Paper napkins

    What Not to Compost

    • Sawdust from treated wood
    • Grease & oil
    • Meat
    • Fish
    • Bones
    • Dairy products
    • Pet droppings
    • Diseased or insect-infested plants
    • Weeds with seeds
    • Ashes

    Embrace the Power of a Kitchen Compost Pail

    Embracing composting in your gardening routine can connect you to ancient practices that promote sustainability and nurture both the plants and the planet. Composting is a tradition that has stood the test of time in gardening. Start composting today and watch your garden flourish! Take a look at our kitchen compost pails and outdoor composters and then shop one of our product retailers.

    Keep this age-old tradition alive, and watch your garden thrive and help the environment.