Phillip Bogle, a Solexx dealer from Nehalem, OR has been getting phenomenal results harvesting vegetables year-round in his 16’ Solexx™ Garden Master greenhouse.

PHIL: “I get more amazed each day at how much of a difference my greenhouse and the lights have made on my gardening experience. I won’t sell a greenhouse for food production without lights. I feel that light does more to ensure a healthy vegetable crop than heat. I love the quality of light provided by Solexx™.  Read more...

A potential Solexx™ greenhouse covering customer raised the question of how well Solexx™ integrates with farm animals. I checked with Gwen Brancato, our dealer from Wisconsin for the answer. She says, “I grow a couple of piglets in my greenhouse over the winter and use them to make compost all winter along.” The main issue she had is that pigs can lift the greenhouse, “and they WILL eat/chew on ANYTHING they can reach!”  Read more...

It is well worth the drive to Brooks to visit the Solexx greenhouse display and manufacturing plant. You can see all the Solexx greenhouses on display.  Solexx is open to the public Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm and by appointment on the weekends. Conveniently located less than five minutes off I-5, take exit 263 and turn right on Brooklake Road. Tour the many different configurations of greenhouses displayed.  The Solexx team is more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Make sure to check out the Smart Pot employee food growing area. From tomatoes to fruit trees, this unique display of intensive food production in small spaces is truly inspiring!  Read more...

We are very proud of our Salem heritage. If you stop by to our SolexxGreenhouse factory at 3740 Brooklake Rd, Salem, OR, be sure to allow some time to visit Bush Pasture Park in downtown Salem. Here is some information about the park.

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Did you know that most plants actually succumb to overheating more than cold temperatures? Providing cross ventilation lifts and releases hot air build-up inside the greenhouse promoting healthy, sustainable growth for plants. 

The automated thermostat control saves on electricity by keeping the air flowing only when it’s needed most. We installed the thermostat controlled exhaust fan to the upper back greenhouse wall to work in tandem with the closeable base vents and solar powered louver opener.  Read more...

Salem Arts Festival and Plant Sale
 
The annual Salem Arts Festival is held the third weekend of July every year. The fair boasts over 200 vendors ranging from garden art, jewelry, food, music and most of all plants! The festival logs approximately 100,000 people in the course of three days.   The plant sale is held by Friends of Bush Garden. Everything from annuals, perennials, herbs, potted bulbs, Japanese maples and more abound to delight the senses. One of the highlights of the plant sale is cuttings from the Bush Park/Salem Municipal Rose Garden. Mrs. A.R. Tartar donated part of the 2,000 vintage rose collection selections and they are available for purchase during the festival.      
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A Plethora of Plants
Dale Plank is an enthusiastic, spry gardener who has been tilling the soil for over sixty years. He tends a marvelous vegetable and flower garden that spills onto a bike path through a bucolic suburban neighborhood in Corvallis, Oregon. Dale and his wife Beverly like to work with native plants. Attracting butterflies and hummingbirds with scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) to their garden is a top priority. Their side garden has a large collection of vegetables, vines and annual flowers. Strawberries line the public bicycle path where passersby can munch happily on their way while enjoying the garden views.  Read more...

Heat Reduction
Shade cloths provide a way to reduce the ambient temperature inside the greenhouse.  It allows filtered light to pass through the panels to keep plants from being scorched and overheating during hot summer months.
Materials and Time Required

1 polypropylene shade cloth:   $65.00
1 roll neon colored nylon kite string:    $5.00
6 pack camping stakes:   $5.00    
Total:  $75.00

Project Costs

Install Time
Installation took one hour with two people.

Tools Used Materials Used
• Broom handle or long stick
• Ladder
• Rubber mallet
• Utility or pocket knife 
• Nylon twine
• Polypropylene shade cloth
• Six camping stakes  Read more...

Birdseed Trails

  Installing the electrical a few weeks ago, we found a hole dug under the greenhouse frame. We covered it up figuring a little critter trying to find a warm place to sleep on a cold spring nights.  But then the hole came back larger last week. Piles of mounded dirt were spotted both outside and inside.

I have stored birdseed in the greenhouse for years with nary an uninvited guest.  The seed is kept on hand to encourage wildlife to visit our garden.  Read more...

Keeping Our Cool

  Visiting the Solexx greenhouse headquarters, Beverly gave me a tour of the various greenhouse styles they offer. She also showed me growing and cooling techniques they are currently trialing. One such cooling method caught my curiosity, so I decided to test it in my own greenhouse.

Bev demonstrated how she took plastic Rubbermaid® trugs filled with water to lower and maintain the ambient temperature inside the greenhouse. The containers are low tech and not very sexy looking. I’m happy to report however, they seem to be working. Amazingly enough, the water in the containers remains cool.  Read more...