Minimum Temperatures in the Greenhouse

Many people wonder what temperatures their greenhouses should be kept at. Below a general temperature guide is listed.

Keeping a Cold Greenhouse – The minimum temperature that can be kept in the greenhouse is 28 degrees F when outside temperatures fall to about 20 degrees F. Plants are still protected from weather elements and growth is about 3 to 4 weeks ahead of outdoor plants. However, no growth will occur in the winter, and this is unsuitable for plants that are frost sensitive.

Keeping a Cool Greenhouse – The minimum temperature kept inside the greenhouse is 45 degrees F. Plants are protected from outdoor elements, and the minimum temperature is just high enough to support plant growth. It also allows frost-sensitive plants to be over-wintered.

Keeping a Warm Greenhouse – The minimum temperature required inside the greenhouse is 55 degres F. This is the most popular climate kept because a wide range of plants can be grown during the winter months. Exotic fruits and plants can also be planted. This greenhouse will cost more to heat than a cool greenhouse.

Keeping a Stove (Hot) House – The minimum temperature required inside the greenhouse is 65 degrees F. This is advisable if you are growing tropical plants only.

Any type of heating works, propane, natural gas or electric. Light bulbs can also help heat a smaller space. Wrap the inside of the greenhouse in a layer of plastic to help retain heat.

In June, you will likely experience higher temperatures in the greenhouse due to the warmer weather. To cool your greenhouse down, water down both the inside (including the floor) and outside of the greenhouse. Misting kits or evaporative coolers can also lower the air temperature by 20 degrees F.

Most people move all of their plants outdoors from June to October. Be sure to harden off your plants before moving them. Once your greenhouse is emptied, it’s a good time to clean it.

Shelley Awad
Greenhouse Consultant
Backyard Greenhouses
www.backyardgreenhouses.com
1-800-665-2124
shelley@greenhousekids.com

Huge Sale at Backyard Greenhouses

Backyard Greenhouses is pleased to announce our summer savings special for June 1 - July 15, 2010. We are reducing the retail price of our greenhouses and lean-to home attached greenhouses by $250 - $500. Hurry though, because this offer expires July 15, 2010!

See below for the 'Summer Savings' details.

All Greenhouses and Lean-to Greenhouses are on Sale until July 15, 2010!

Greenhouses worth $2500 - $5000 save $250
Greenhouses worth $5001 - $7500 save $350
Greenhouses worth $7501 and more save $500

This offer is available on all greenhouse orders placed between now and July 15, 2010.

The savings apply to the greenhouse only and do not apply to accessories, shipping or tax portions of an order. This special does apply to all feature greenhouses with the exception of the Sun Garden or Legacy Greenhouses.


This sale applies only to regular priced greenhouses and not to sale prices already in effect.

Please call 1-800-665-2124 for a free quote or for additional information.

Shelley Awad
Backyard Greenhouses
A div. of Ecolad Corporation
www.backyardgreenhouses.com
1-800-665-2124

How to Market Your Book

Writing books is one thing...selling them is another! Some authors think selling their books is a lot tougher than writing them. Having your book published with a large publishing house is the best way to have your book marketed. Publishers have several distribution avenues that will benefit you. And, generally, the larger the publishing house, the more distribution channels there are.

Relying on your publisher isn't enough. All authors have to promote themselves and market their books. Prepare press kits and send them out to all major newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations that are relevant to your topic. You might get lucky and get picked up by some of them.

Contact as many bookstores as you can and offer to do author signings, meet and greet events and/or readings. The bookstores will sell more of your books if you are in the store promoting yourself.

Try booking yourself for public speaking engagements where you can also sell your book.

Perhaps there are area festivals or events where you can sell your books. Some are better than others.

Networking is a great marketing tool. Get involved in your community and network with as many people as you can.

Don't forget your website. Everyone should have their name as a website. There are several other websites where you can market your book. Get as many reviews as you can. And don't forget about the importance of social media sites, like twitter and facebook.

Create a monthly newsletter and email it. Remember to have people sign up for your newsletter when you do any of your special events.

Start a blog. Especially if you are an expert in a certain field.

Don't give up. In Canada, once 5,000 copies are sold, your book is considered to be a national bestseller.

Article from Shoreline Week

Tecumseh author releases second book in Greenhouse Kids series
Ghost Walk picks up where Dan Delion's Secret left off

The mysterious adventures of Dan Delion, Holly Hocks, Johnny Jump-ups, and the rest of the Greenhouse Kids continue.

Tecumseh children’s author Shelley Awad recently released Ghost Walk, the second installment in her series.

Picking up where its predecessor, Dan Delion’s Secret, left off, Ghost Walk follows the kids as they try to solve a riddle on the night before Halloween.

We are also introduced to a batch of new characters, including a boy named Snap Dragon and a teacher, Mrs. Glory (known to her students as Morning Glory).

Ghost Walk, which features illustrations by Windsor’s Glen Hawkes, is aimed at young readers ages 8-12 and is available at Indigo and Chapters bookstores.

Copies of Dan Delion’s Secret have already sold out, requiring a second printing run.

Meanwhile, Awad is currently working on her third book in the series, The Greenhouse Kids Dig Deep, which she hopes to release in spring 2011.

In addition to her scheduled book signings, Awad is available for school visits.

Please call 519-979-2041 or visit GreenhouseKids.com for more information.

The Greenhouse Kids, Dan Delion's Secret - Sold Out!

Borealis Press, publisher of The Greenhouse Kids Series of books, contacted us to advise they sold out of the first mysterious adventure, Dan Delion’s Secret. The book has been reprinted. This is very good news, especially for authors who want to become a bestseller (and who doesn’t?). In Canada, a book becomes a bestseller once 5,000 copies are sold. We have not sold that many copies yet, however, we are well on our way to making the bestseller’s list.

Chapters/Indigo & Other Bookstores

Several Chapters and Indigo Bookstores have ordered The Greenhouse Kids books. If your local bookstore does not carry the book on their shelves, they can easily order it for you. Or, you can order direct from www.chapters.indigo.ca www.amazon.com
If you would like to receive a signed copy, please order from www.greenhousekids.com or call 1-800-665-2124.

The Detroit Free Press

Shelley Awad was contacted by The Detroit Free Press and was informed that they would be writing a feature article on The Greenhouse Kids books. They expect the article to be featured in June, and more details will be released as they are known.

Shoreline – Lakeshore, Ontario

Bill England from the Shoreline in Tecumseh, Ontario interviewed Shelley Awad on May 18th. The article should appear in their next edition.

Upcoming Events

May 29th & 30th - Come out to the Garden Tour hosted by Fort Malden Horticultural Society. A book signing will be held at the Garden Fair located in the Amherstburg, Ontario arena, Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

June 5th & 6th - Art in the Park, Willistead Park, Windsor, Ontario. Book signing 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

June 12th - Chapters, 1037 Wellington Road, London, Ontario. Book signing 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

June 13th – Indigo Bookstore, 194 Lakeshore Blvd., Tecumseh, Ontario. Book signing from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

June 14th – Maidstone Central Public School Author Visit and Presentation.

June 18, 19 & 20th - Kids Expo, Victoria Park, London, Ontario. Book signings from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m

July 1st - The Amherstburg Ice Cream Festival, Amherstburg. Book signings from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

July 10th – Chapters, Fairview Mall, 285 Geneva Street, St. Catharines, Ontario. Book signing 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

July 16, 17 & 18th - Sunsplash Festival 2010, Optimist Park, Belle River, Ontario. Book signings and presentations from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. More details to follow.

August 22nd – Indigo, Eaton Centre, Toronto, Ontario. Book readings/signings 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

August 28, 29th - Amherstburg Art by the River, Fort Malden National Historic Site, Amherstburg, Ontario. Book signings 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

September 12th – Niagara Water Festival…details to follow.

September 25th & 26th – Ruthven Apple Festival…details to follow.

Attention Parents and Teachers

I have already been to several schools and I am available for author visits. Please call 1-800-665-2124 for details.

Happy Reading & Gardening!

Shelley Awad
Children’s Author
The Greenhouse Kids, Dan Delion’s Secret
The Greenhouse Kids, Ghost Walk
www.greenhousekids.com
1-800-665-2124
shelley@greenhousekids.com

Selecting a Greenhouse

So, you've always wanted your own greenhouse. With so many choices available in today's market, thoughtful consideration must be given to ensure you will be happy with your purchase.

Here are a few items that you will need to review in making your greenhouse decision.

What material should the greenhouse be made of? As a greenhouse consultant, I always recommend aluminum for the frame. Unlike wood, it is maintenance free and is a product that generally lasts a lifetime. The greenhouse frame is available in white, forest green, dark brown or it can be custom matched to any color.

The greenhouse glazing is important for heat efficiency. Fivewall Polycarbonate is the best, followed by Double Glass, followed by Twinwall Polycarbonate, and lastly, Single Glass.

Consider the size of greenhouse that you will require. Virtually any size is available. The golden rule is to always buy the largest greenhouse that you can afford, because they get filled up quickly. Also consider building the greenhouse on a raised foundation wall if you require additional height for tall plants. This is usually a cheaper option than asking for custom walls to be made higher.

Consider door options. Does the greenhouse need to be wheelchair accessible. We offer wide doors, glass doors, storm doors and double doors.

A location for the greenhouse that offers southern exposure is ideal. Don't worry if you have deciduous trees. They lose their leaves in the winter allowing the sun to filter through.

If you are using the greenhouse during colder months, you will need to get a heater.

For more info on how to choose a greenhouse, please visit http://backyardgreenhouses.com/ecom.asp?pg=select-a-greenhouse-kit

Where Do These Blogs Go?

I started blogging regularly a couple of weeks ago...but where are the blogs? They were here a couple of days ago. One thing a writer never wants to do is start all over again!

The second book in The Greenhouse Kids series, Ghost Walk, has now been released. You can find it on www.amazon.com and www.greenhousekids.com In Canada, you can purchase it at any Chapters or Indigo bookstore. The same is true for the first mysterious adventure in the series, Dan Delion's Secret.

You can view the new book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5huvuy3Lg-s

Ghost Walk is the continues the story of Dan Delion's Secret. For more info, please visit www.greenhousekids.com