I don't know if this thread is dead, but I just checked out the Mistomatic unit online and feel it could be easily duplicated using a mercury switch from an old home heating thermostat. This switch assemly could be constructed for free after picking up a thermostat at the blue light room on my next trip to the local transfer station. The rest would simply be fabricated from some flashing strips I have left over in the shed and maybe some clothes hanger wire,window screen, etc... The only thing I have not solved, yet, is a solenoid valve that would operate, reliably, at such low flow. I know some new valves are advertised as operating at very low flow, but the ones I have seen were quite expensive brass valves. I'll call my friend at Toro and pick his brain. There is a way to get around this and that is to direct a valved opening at the end of the irrigation line into a vessel of some sort like a Koi pond or bird bath or swimming pool and tweaking the flow through the hand valve until the solenoid actuated valve functions properly, I have done this on zones watering hanging pots on my deck with success, and killed two birds with one stone. I could very easily set this system up for less than fifty bucks, complete with 24v xfmr, valve, switch, emitters, pipes and fittings, for the space indicated in the first post. The biggest investment would be in time, tuning the homemade mistomatic-like device.

Yes, I am getting so darn tired of all these injuries! I really wasn't accident prone as a kid, but then it is hard to have physical accidents when you bring home 7 Nancy Drew mysteries a night from the library and read them all to exchange the next day :-)PRobably did not grow the healtiest joints and tissues being such a bookworm and now I get to pay for it. I got started gardening when stuck home with my adopted autistic daughter when she was a child. Made such a nice break if I could get out of the house and leave her for someone else in the family to keep an eye on! I will gladly send photos as greenhouse goes up!

Hi Nathan: Brugmansia are a great idea. You could start cuttings pretty quickly with the set up that is suggested in a thred called "Bucket of Brugs" in the Brugmansia Forum. I am sure you can get quite a few cuttings from those in warmer climates (mine are all in the basement). Ask for cuttings from woody stems rather than soft green ones, much easier to start. You should have a nice blooming crop by early next summer. I'll be happy to send some cuttings in the Spring. I have all my potted plants in a small lean to greenhouse, works for me. Another nice crop could be cannas. I find starting pots from tubers or cuttings easier than from seeds because I don't have enough time and energy in the winter to cope with seeds. That will have to wait until I retire. Another good winter crop might be Christmas cacti. You'll need to have a cheap source for soil, fertilizer, pots, and pesticide (in a greenhouse, I'd consider organic, or as close to organic as you can get). May be your extension service has something to offer. Depending where you are in Maryland, you could also check with some of the historic farms, they may have good sources, and leaf mold from one of the dumps (You'll need friends who help to load and unload, and a truck, I suppose). The possibilities are endless. Good luck from GardenGranma. That reminds me, you may also want to come to the swap in May for free plants and wonderful rooten manuer from Professor/Dr. Dirt. He can probably give you loads of advice too.

Laura- I'm hoping to put a greenhouse on my remodel, too. It's been called an 'orangery' on another post, but it's just a fancy greenhouse. There will be one door from the mudroom and one window, from the pantry. This part of the home is the only place we're adding on...so we could use brick or some other material for the greenhouse wall, if that would help. I think sinking the greenhouse will be even more trouble, when the snow melts. You'd probably have to do french drains and other things to try to take the water around the greenhouse. I think your temperature could be more easily regulated (and more affordable) with some heavy shades for night and maybe even a little heat from the house...or a baseboard heat. I believe plants will still be fine at about 55 degrees (maybe even a little cooler). Good luck with your research and please let us know what you find. I'm still getting ideas and working out a few details, too :) Oh, and my greenhouse is just for plants...not a breakfast room or family room, which is often a concern on the forums.