My Grow Your Own efforts have a smart new home!

It is not often you see a mini greenhouse that actually looks gorgeous AND does  the job intended, but this one is extremely sturdy (Its base is made from a  re-cycled whisky barrel, hence the name Barrel Greenhouse!) and the greenhouse frame is made from chunky yet elegant birch wood painted an strangely appealing pale blue.  But good looks are not enough for me, and the reason it is working so well is that apart from its sturdiness it also has plenty of ventilation ( a nifty little roof vent plus the ability to open one of the side panels anything from a small crack to fully open).  I was only given this a few weeks ago (a seriously lovely present and yes, I do feel wonderfully spoiled !!!) so I've not tried raising seeds, seedlings or small plants in it yet, but the aubergines I moved in to the staging are going great guns, positively dripping with fruit as they soak up every available ounce of sunlight.
It looks splendid and would be perfect for a small garden where looks do tend to matter even more, but functionality is still important.  When the aubergines have all been eaten, I've already got other plants lined up to live in it, and I'll also be using it to raise some crops early next year - this is one such structure that I am sure won't be blown around the garden, ripped apart or turned up-side-down when winter comes. 
Mine was a present so I don't know all the details but I've been told that it comes from The Carrick Cooperage in Ayrshire and that coopers make them......somehow I suspect that the magical combination of good looks, practical features and sturdiness may have more than a little  to do with its origins....yes its made  by craftsmen and in the UK! Take a look at the website www.barrelgreenhouse.co.uk  or for even more useful ways in which they have used re-cycled whisky barrels look at www.carrickcooperage.co.uk