Grnhouse Seeking greenhouse recommendations

D

Delta

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've been looking for a hobby since retirement, one that doesn't accumulate stuff (like building birdhouses or painting). Turns out I spend quite a bit of time in the garden, but our growing season is almost too short, Anyway, I am thinking of investing in a greenhouse. I'm 77, so while I don't want a lot of DIY, I am capable of some work/thought. I figure there must be a fairly simple kit. I can go 200 sq feet w/o a permit, and plan staying under that. I have a 10'x15' level area, but may shoot for only 8'x12'. I have wind and snow. Think I want glass rather than plastic--and seek advice on that, too. I have easy water and electrical access.

I would also appreciate a refer-all to some reading on the subject.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
I'd suggest polycarbonate insulated panels, rather than glass. And you definitely want automatic (temperature controlled) vent openers. The ones I had in my greenhouse opened the vents at 72 degrees, and closed them at 68. Huge help in preventing cooked plants...even in winter.

We have a single layer 6 mil plastic covered greenhouse here. We harvested spinach, radishes, leaf lettuce and carrots most of the winter.

Look for Elliot Coleman's book, "The Four Season Harvest". He explains how to plant so even in Maine (and without any additional heat), he was able to harvest *something * every month of the year. Its a valuable resource.

Summerthyme
 
W

Wildwood

Veteran Member
This place is in my state but they deliver them to many other states...I think they are Amish. I watch lots of homesteading channels on youtube and these are popular among some of them. I'm not sure exactly what kind of info you are after but you may get some ideas from their pictures. I noticed they have all sizes. If you like youtube, there are some really cute greenhouses on there and lots and lots of inspiration. My DH is always wanting to build me one but he's just tired of seedlings taking over our whole dining room and part of the living room and we have to carry them in and out every day.

yoderbilt.com

Yoderbilt Greenhouses | An Outdoor Living Experience

Enhance your outdoor living experience with our durable and high-quality Yoderbilt Greenhouses and more. Each product is handcrafted with precision and made to last. Learn more now.
yoderbilt.com yoderbilt.com
 
saeurs

saeurs

Membership Revoked
I had a thought to use glass, and was even given really nice glazing. But 5' x 5' panes of glass rigid enough to support themselves are extremely heavy.

One of the local stores built a greenhouse from old doors with windows and put old windows as the roof. It looks really cool in an eclectic way. If I can get over there, I will attach a picture.

Otherwise, +1 on the poly panels. They are easy to cut and replace when they will get broken. They are not as fragile as acrylic and can be cut with a fine toothed blade.

There are aluminum kits from Menard's that several people I know have with varying degrees of success. It takes two to assemble one.

If you limit to standard lumber dimensions, (8x10) you could probably build your own.

I am planning on using old fiberglass well sucker rods painted to protect them to make a hoop house/high tunnel and cover it with plastic if I ever get the time.
 
Toosh

Toosh

Veteran Member
Give thought to what you want your greenhouse to do. You should know:
  • do you want to extend the growing season by a month on either end or do you hope to grow year round?
  • what do you want to grow? Greens can handle cool night and warm days while tomatoes need more consistent temps.
  • what differential do you need? I mean, my avg winter temp is 30 degrees and I needed a greenhouse to maintain 70 - - that is a 40 degree differential. That will help answer your question about materials.
Years ago I built an 8x12 greenhouse and it's been great but then I started using the Mittleider gardening method and built the in-garden greenhouses and honestly I like them better. I have 2 that cover 2 30x3' beds each with walkways all around. They are my preferred growing area. My greenhouse has become a garden shed.

Cheap to build. Fast, quick and easy but it's a 2 person job for safety on a ladder. Easy to use plastic, shade cloth and/or insect screening. I'm no longer doing Mittleider (I switched to JADAM) but I still love these greenhouses.

Several YouTubes on Mittleider. Here's one just so you can see it:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaBtqmo5Q8w&list=PL2cLVMJiux-kPNMq9fciRWHCfHqUQSaqG&index=20
 
D

Delta

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I thank each and every one of you for your tips (and for the one on JADAM). I also went to the local library and checked out the books they had. (Unrelated aside: the last person who worked there when I did has quit, so no one remembers me.) My "problem" is that the place I have available does not get the sun until 9 am (in summer, later in winter). But, it has unrestricted sunlight the rest of the day (until sunset). From what I read that should still be okay. No promises that I'll ever do anything. If I do, I'll try to keep you posted.
 
D

Delta

Has No Life - Lives on TB
So for now, thinking about a greenhouse is as far as I'll be going. The only spot for a greenhouse is currently occupied by some tomato plants.

But, something is destroying my plants--one at a time. I have blamed it on a squirrel--but only because I have seen a squirrel running from my garden a couple of times--and have never seen a squirrel in previous years when I never had this problem. But, who knows . . . .? Culprit is not apparently eating the plants, simply "cutting" off the leaves and leaving the stacked up by the plant--almost religiously. Weird. Started with ice plant. Then sedum. Then marigolds. When I cover a plant with a cage (in an effort to save what is left--works sometimes), it moves on to another plant the next night. It moved on to the cantaloupe, the eggplant, and last night the cucumber. I'm pretty fed up. Any ideas. No visible tracks. Garden is fenced, so not deer.
 
T

Telescope Steve

Veteran Member
I built a Harbor Freight greenhouse. It was a pain to put together and the wind blew out some of the panels, so I had to make better clamps to hold them in place. It's small, but useful and I am glad to have it.

I have also built some 2" x 4" frame walls and roof that is covered with 2" x 4" fence, so it's a screen house. I built a small hoop frame and covered it with 1" chicken wire. I made the height low enough that I could reach it without a ladder.

I built a 10' x 10' foot fenced in area that I did not have to dig into the ground. I pounded in a T post in each corner. Then I used fence wire to attach an 8 foot 2 x 4 pole to each corner like that. My body is more limited these days, so I look for easier ways to get stuff done, quick and easy.
 
Zardoz

Zardoz

Veteran Member
I went with PLANTA Greenhouse kits ( 10 x 13 ) because of it's easy assembly and it's ability to handle a good snow and wind load, mountains of WA state. Still working on site prep, no level spots, it's a slow process for me with no help and being 70. YMMV 2cents

plantagreenhouses.com

Planta Greenhouses Kits - DIY Backyard and Commercial Greenhouse Kits

Discover Heavy-Duty Greenhous Kits by Planta Greenhouses. Our Greenhouses are perfect for Backyard and Commercial use. Beautiful, Solid design makes them perfect to withstand Snow, Wind and Hail. Enjoy piece of mind with our top-notch warranty and excellent customer service. Relax and love your...
plantagreenhouses.com plantagreenhouses.com
 
Kathy in FL

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
Delta said:
So for now, thinking about a greenhouse is as far as I'll be going. The only spot for a greenhouse is currently occupied by some tomato plants.

But, something is destroying my plants--one at a time. I have blamed it on a squirrel--but only because I have seen a squirrel running from my garden a couple of times--and have never seen a squirrel in previous years when I never had this problem. But, who knows . . . .? Culprit is not apparently eating the plants, simply "cutting" off the leaves and leaving the stacked up by the plant--almost religiously. Weird. Started with ice plant. Then sedum. Then marigolds. When I cover a plant with a cage (in an effort to save what is left--works sometimes), it moves on to another plant the next night. It moved on to the cantaloupe, the eggplant, and last night the cucumber. I'm pretty fed up. Any ideas. No visible tracks. Garden is fenced, so not deer.
Click to expand...
Ants? Cutworms?
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
Delta said:
In the meantime I have changed the netting over the plants for one with a smaller size: now 5/8 x 3/4, was 1-1/8 x 1-1/8. Another plant cut up last night.
Click to expand...
Can you possibly take a picture of the damaged plants and left-behind leaves?

Summerthyme
 
D

Delta

Has No Life - Lives on TB
summerthyme said:
Can you possibly take a picture of the damaged plants and left-behind leaves?

Summerthyme
Click to expand...
Too late for what has already gone down. If the net with smaller holes doesn't do anything, I'll have more tomorrow. Maybe by then I'll have photos of activities. But, you expect me to be able to post them?! That will be a challenge. I wanted a greenhouse for a hobby, not learning geek stuff. ;)
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
LOL! I've got to admit, I'm a bit mystified... I just can't think of any critter (2, 4 or 6 legged!) which removes leaves *and leaves them at the scene*!! There are leaf cutter bees, and leaf cutter ants, but they all chew off pieces of leaves and then take them back to their nest.

I'm sure we can talk you through posting if you take pics!

Summerthyme
 
D

Delta

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Pics are in. (I tried to attach video but it says it is an invalid file type). Not great quality, but what I see looks like a rat (tail much sleeker than what I'd expect on a squirrel, but the body is squirrel size), and it agrees with the nature of the turds I've found. I'll set out a trap or two and check for holes in the perimeter. My envisioned greenhouse just got bigger (in my mind). Here I can build 250 square feet without permit, so now I'm thinking of a 8 or 10 x 24, covering most of existing garden area.
 
D

Delta

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I bit the bullet and bought an 8 x 12 foot greenhouse--and paid to have it built. Local outfit. The most challenging part was making a level spot for it. I've run electricity out to it--for a swamp cooler. Seems pretty solid--we'll see what happens when the wind blows (I do not live in Pacific Palisades). Can't wait to hang my remote (electronic) thermometer in it. It should be finished tomorrow. I start a gardening class next weekend at the local college.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top