The problem is that there's very little room in the old house for the houseplants. Granted they're used to being squashed into a tiny NYC apartment (excluding the office plants), but it wasn't good for them.

I'm hoping for a traditional coastal late, warm Fall (unfortunately this is a rotten year for warm), so I can leave them outside until the nights get too cold for them.

A greenhouse would be too expensive right now. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with cold frames/ hoops, etc. in the fall?

I've got a lot of houseplants, and some of them are big cane begonias, so I can't use a small cold frame. Unfortunately, the construction will take place on the sheltered south side of the house, so I can't fashion a leanto there. It just occurred to me that maybe I can tuck them behind the azaleas next to the foundation on the west side (non of them require full sun)...

Eventually I'll have to bring them in, but I want to minimize their agony indoors.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Claire

. it may be colder here than you may think ... check local weather conditions for your area ,, that cold frame may not be enough

the plants would do better cut back and cramped indoors.

The pop-up though is empty space and just might work. I could mount it on the deck which has morning light, but unfortunately is subject to winds off the Bay. Pray for no hurricanes!

michaelzz:
Plymouth MA is not really "frozen north", although last winter was tough. Usually winters come late and are rather wimpy. I certainly don't intend to leave the plants out all winter, I'm just trying to play the odds hoping the new addition will get closed in before it gets too cold.

I've been watching the temperature reports - I know most of my plants can handle nights going down to 50F easily and some of them 45F without damage, so long as it warms up during the daytime. The tender ones will go inside early on. I'm hoping to set up a micro-environment where the internal temperature will stay in the upper 40's at night even if it gets to 40F outside.

I just remembered today that I have some old styrofoam containers that I can use to insulate the pots.

I'm not prepared right now to cut the plants back drastically - that's a last resort.

-Claire

I had planned to drive up my remaining houseplants on Sunday - naturally there's a hurricane threatening to follow the same route on the same day!

-Claire

As for concerns about strong winds blowing it over, you might be able to secure the greenhouse by placing weights on the inside, resting on the internal frame. You could even build a wooden frame, like a corral, around it - using 2X4s.

Just opened up the greenhouse today to check it out. The thing is amazing! Constructed more like a tent than a greenhouse. It has ground stakes, high wind tie-downs, and little portals for electric cords or hoses. You can put a heater in it. There's an apron skirt around the bottom and they recommend putting weights on it.

It comes in a carrying case and is fairly easy to assemble. Unfortunately, it's a bear to fold up and store away.

I think it may be a fine solution for my problem.

-Claire

Rather wimpy ? oh .... it's just that if you have them outside and then move them indoors, back in to warm, dry air it is a shock to them ... a good thing is to move them indoors before the heat is turned on .. due
to space limitations i understand ..... best of luck and lets hope for a late. warm winter ...

Good point about bringing them back into warm dry air - I hadn't thought about that. I'll be sure to ease them into it, probably keep them in a cool breezeway (once it's built) for a while before going into the main living space.

Luckily I like temperatures on the cool side myself, and it tends to be humid here.

-Claire