This month Patti & I went off in search of a glasshouse user. When we arrived at the home of Eric & Marion Day we found a productive glasshouse & vegetable garden, but so much more. What a treat it was to discover a seemingly never ending garden complete with a fishpond & wooden bridge, garden furniture, sculptures & abundant fruiting trees.
If you are like me, the thought of having a glasshouse is a scary unknown. Let me pass on some of Eric’s tips & share what works for him. He was lucky enough to come across a glasshouse free to a good home if he could take it away. After a tricky trip over the Kilmog with a trailer in tow, he reassembled his glasshouse onto his level Waikouaiti property, situating it for all-day sun atop treated 4×4s. Eric plants right into the soil he refreshes each year by digging in compost, tomato fertiliser & some blood & bone. The day we visited Eric’s glasshouse he had tomato plants- beef steak, black Russian, Amish paste and cherry tomatoes and cucumber plants – prickly eastern & burpless telegraph. Also producing were basil, cos lettuce & capsicums. He puts the success of his lovely bushy basil down to lots of watering & warmth. Eric waters his glasshouse during the day to retain heat. He did add that he thought a tunnel house or plastic clearlite house might retain the heat better than glass. Ventilation is important. Eric opens the windows each morning & prefers to keep the internal temperature below 25 degrees Celsius. He also recommends putting potash onto the soil once the plants flower to help set the fruit. If aphids appear they are sent packing with a spray of cold water or ‘ digital control ‘, Eric’s term for picking them off with his fingers.. Their veggie garden and glasshouse keep the Day’s pantry filled with preserved goodies. Eric’s favourites are green tomato and apple pickle, chow chow, horseradish and pickled onions. A taste of Eric’s home preserved horseradish brought tears to our eyes. Fantastic !
Eric’s interest in gardening started while at school in his home town of Kent, England. Gardening was available as an elective subject in high school. His love of gardening grew from there & the garden Eric & Marion have now created, in the six years since they moved from Malborough, is truly inspirational. When asked the secret of their magnificent garden Eric answered, « We’re both on the same wavelength, but I see the vision in 3D and Marion is able to carry through on the detail »
We left the Day home with basil seedlings and horseradish plants (with Eric’s warning not to let them break out of a strong growing container !) and great inspiration. I now have the desire to give it a go & get the Mediterranean menu happening at my home too.
