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ideas for planters in a greenhouse space

 
Posts: 31
Location: coastal oregon
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Hello-

I have a front porch with translucent greenhouse plastic ceiling which gets fair-to-great afternoon sun, while being "brightly shady" in the morning.  Strawberries, fushcia, dahlias, etc have been growing great right in front of it if they are any indication of the light.  The space has 4 10x4x4 planters made of concrete block.  We've put a tub on one end and will have a fish pond in the other end (a large livestock tank).  We love the idea of using the pond water to feed plants in the two middle bays.

I am leaning towards trying to use hugulkultur to fill these bays 70% or so, and then top with compost and mulch.  Since I barely have enough compost to cover my main vegetable greenhouse, I will probably have to purchase some compost and if that is the case, its ok by me.  I would of course like to keep this all as low-input and well-envisioned permaculturally speaking as possible.  I live in central Coastal Oregon, although I 10 miles up a river valley and so the weather is harsher in both summer and fall than it is on the coast directly.  We get mild freezes, and I do not know if the greenhouse will prevent that.  There is also very little sun from November until May. 

So I am seeking suggestions to best make use of the 2 beds.  I think salad greens are a good contender, and perhaps herbs both culinary and medicinal as well as various insect attractants and generally beautiful and pleasant flowers.  I am hoping to identify some perennial herbs that will work well in a small space like that.  I wonder if Good King Henry is a good choice?

I am also tentatively thinking about maypop passionflowers and kiwis trellised on the back wall and ceiling.

So that is a general vision of the space, but I would really love some thoughts, dreams, or experiences that all of you have.  Otherwise, I'll let you know how it goes...
 
pollinator
Posts: 4437
Location: North Central Michigan
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if you have a north wall in the greenhouse space, you migh consider using a vertical planter of some type..that will use the vertical space up the wall. i still plan to build some type of vertical planter for my greenhouse some year..not necessarily this next year..and plant the north wall with plants that will form a solid wall on the north..not only will this use up unused space, but also will provide some insulation from any northern cold infiltration..and bounce and hold the heat that would go out through the north glazing..(mine is glazed on 4 sides and top)
 
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