Sunshades and an exhaust fan installed prior to the following summer reduced the heat. We insist that our greenhouse balance aesthetics and practicality to keep plants and people happy. Hanging baskets of Carolina jasmine and scented geraniums, window sill pots of rosemary, chocolate pepperrmint, curry plant, and pineapple sage, planters of 'Dwarf Lady Finger' banana, 'Babaco' papaya, and 'Improved Meyer' lemon share the greenhouse with computers, desks, and people. The bed is raised 3 inches off the floor for better water drainage. The soil depth is 20 inches, and the inside walls of the bed are lined with black plastic.
Wooden dividers separate the bed into three equal-sized compartments.
If disease contaminates one compartment, the entire bed of soil doesn't have to be replaced. Since the bed is located in the front of the greenhouse, where the sloping ceiling glass is 6 feet above the floor, we have only 50 inches of headspace to grow plants. The soil mix is a compromise between pure organics and a standard greenhouse mix. With each new crop I add 40 pounds of composted cow manure. Transplants are fertilized with 2 tablespoons fish emulsion and 1 tablespoon seaweed mix per 1 gallon of water every 2 weeks.