New Books Gives Great Ideas For Greenhouses

Last weekend, a woman in the checkout line at a local garden center loaded up the counter with seedplanting trays and seed packets. Standing behind her, I was thinking this would be a great time of year to have a greenhouse.

It’s really in early spring and in late fall that a greenhouse would be most useful. They allow us to start seeds while the ground’s still frozen and grow them to seedlings in controlled conditions, undisturbed by small children and pets. In the fall, greenhouses will extend the blooming season well into winter.

For those with a new greenhouse, there’s a new book that will answer some of the most common questions.

“In Your Greenhouse” is a small paperback (75 pages, $6.95) that’s an easy-to-read guide for beginning greenhouse gardeners.

The author, Greta Heinen, lives in British Columbia. The book can be ordered ($8.95 with shipping) from Birch Publishing, P.O. Box 4492, Blaine, WA 98231-4492.

Sign up: The winter and spring workshop lineups virtually bloomed with classes for those interested in home restoration. Upcoming offerings range from collecting Arts and Crafts-style furniture to planning a kitchen renovation.

The workshops at Corbin Art Center begin April 13 with the kitchen class, which meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.; cost is $34.

A class on the Craftsman style of architecture, which inspired Arts and Crafts-style furnishings, will meet May 3, 10 and 17 at 7 p.m.; the fee is $21.

And a workshop on the history of wicker furnishings will meet May 6 and 13 at 9:30 a.m.; fee is $17.

All classes are at the Corbin Art Center 507 W. Seventh. For registration information, call 625-6200.

Several workshops in wreath making, soap making and herb gardens will be taught at Palouse Prairie, 703 N. Monroe, this spring.

The soap class beings March 18; wreath workshops begin April 8 and April 29; herb garden classes are on April 20 and April 23. For information and to register, call 327-0430.

Quick warm-up: Responding to our sometimes-hurried lifestyles, Black & Decker has designed an iron that not only mounts on a wall or closet door, it heats up in just 30 seconds and shuts off instantly when returned to the base. It also doubles as a vertical steamer for touch-ups.