Porch-Centered Indoor Green Space - Cultivating Plants Inside Your Outdoor Enclosure
In the heart of Ohio, a gardening enthusiast has transformed an unwanted front porch area into a coveted garden paradise extension. The enclosed porch, which has never been made into usable living space, now serves as a sanctuary for a diverse range of container-grown vegetable plants and trees.
The porch's brick construction absorbs radiant energy by day and releases it at night, creating an ambient temperature that mimics outdoor summer weather. This ambient temperature, coupled with the glass windows that allow the entire spectrum of sunlight to flow through, making it function like a greenhouse, extends the gardening season by providing a protected space for sensitive plants during colder months.
In fall, the porch offers a bug-free environment suitable for growing leafy greens. The cooler temperatures encourage fast growth of cool-season crops, while warm days and cool nights provide the perfect chill period for freeze-sensitive trees like the fig tree. Cultivating fig trees outdoors in zone 5 is typically not possible during the majority of winters, but the unheated, enclosed porch offers above-freezing midwinter temperatures.
The porch's height is suitable for potted herbs, geranium root cuttings, and container-grown plants. The first plant put out on the porch was a container-grown fig tree, which thrived and produced blossoms each spring. The porch also hosts a perfect growing environment for seedlings that have outgrown grow lights.
The porch's windows are at the exact height as the top rack of inexpensive wire shelving, holding a variety of plants and boot trays for watering overflow. The shared wall between the house and porch is original wood siding, while the other three walls contain discolored aluminum windows that predate modern UV filtration technology.
The southern-facing aluminum windows span the entire 32 feet (9.7 m.) of the porch, allowing for earlier seeding and sooner transplanting of vegetable plants compared to outdoor garden seedlings. The enclosed porch extends the summertime harvest season, providing a protected space for plants to continue growing even as the outdoor temperatures start to drop.
This transformation not only extends the gardening season but also adds a touch of beauty to the front of the house. The porch, once an overlooked space, is now a thriving garden paradise that showcases the passion and creativity of its owner.
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