Lynn,

Several of us have 2 6x8x7 greenhouses put together. We treat our greenhouses the same as if it were twice the size. Same principles apply really. It's a little harder to regulate the temp but quite doable.

Go to the HFGH threat here and you will get lots and lots of info.

Everyone is really helpful here.

Cindy

Links:

General, including construction: http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/greenhou/building.htm
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1105/

HAF:
http://www.umass.edu/umext/floriculture/fact_sheets/greenhouse_management/jb_haf.htm

Cooling:
http://www.igcusa.com/greenhouse_cooling_information.htm

Heating:
http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/publications/extengrhndbk/Greenhouses%20and%20Plant%20Growing%20Facilities/heating%20requirements.pdf

And here is a whole list of other links:
http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu/greenhouse_construction_heating_links.htm

Hope these help.
SB

Lynn,

Congratulations! You can have an awful lot of fun with a 6x8 greenhouse. If you scroll back through the old posts on this forum or search on HFG or HFGH you'll see what I mean.

SH

Lynne - Sounds like a great buy ... or guy ... both! Can you tell us anything more about these greenhouses? What brand/model, or at least type of frame and covering? And how you'd like to use it?

As has been mentioned, you will find lots of info here. But to get you started, I put up a 6x8 HFGH this fall; it has 4mm twinwall polycarbonate glazing, and for winter is covered with a clear solar pool cover. It is set on a foundation of 2x10's for extra headroom. I am using it as a greenhouse and lovin' every minute of it.

Heat: I have found a 1500-watt convection heater more than adequate for maintaining temperatures around 50 degrees at night and on cloudy days. (Lows in the teens are not unusual here - it was 14 last night.) I did insulate the north wall, and have plenty of water containers to add thermal mass.

Other equipment: You'll need a small circulation fan (I like the soft-blade clip-on model Charlie's has) and probably an automatic vent opener - it warms up in there unbelieveably quickly and you don't want to cook your plants! Dax (screen name "conifers") found an excellent one by Bayliss that doesn't take up much room - he started a thread on that. Come warmer weather, you'll need an exhaust fan too.

I'd highly recommend a wireless remote thermometer/hygrometer so you can check temperature & humidity from inside your house. There are very basic ones for less than $50 all the way up to all the bells and whistles for lots more. A temperature alarm is a good idea - wish I could find a simple, inexpensive one.

Flooring, benches, maybe lights ... there are lots of options and what you choose will depend on your preferences and how you plan to use the greenhouse. You might want a backup heater in case of power failure (I like the little catalytic propane model). Be very cautious when setting up your electrical system - you NEED a GFI! Since I don't use lights for growing (yet), for now I find a little Energizer 2-bulb flip-up flourescent lantern from HD is adequate if I'm out there after dark.

This was to be an experimental winter, so I started out just throwing my containers of annuals in there, a container-grown cherry tomato, and a few perennials that didn't get planted. They were so happy, I moved several houseplants out there, including two orchids, two hoya and a gloxinia, and the cooking herbs. Added a new freesia and reiger begonia for color and fun. Some spring bulbs (which get rotated into the house when ready). Planted lettuce and peas - maybe will harvest in February? Rose canes from the winter pruning are out there to root (most have leaves) along with a few late cuttings of other plants. Gathered a large handful of cherry tomatoes today. And those annuals? ... they're cookin' along, looking better than they did all summer! It's going to be tough to find room for the seed starting trays ... I'm so glad I ran across the "Winter Sowing" forum!

Oh, and don't forget to leave room for a chair - it's a great place to sit and read or meditate!

I'm sure I've left something out, but this is longer than I'd intended as it is ... it's just hard to contain the enthusiasm.

Good luck, enjoy ... and keep us posted on how it's going!

Diane

Hello again. Thanks for all of the responses. After going to the websites listed for resources, I see that I need to give you more info. on the little greenhouse. I'm thinking maybe it's not really a greenhouse because of its covering. I found a picture online of what I have:
http://whiskey-rock.com/product/CP92451

Is this only considered a cold frame? Could I use it as a greenhouse if I use a portable heater or space heater and put it on a timer and just buy some clip on fans?

I bought a large 4 foot long rack for starting seeds at SAM's club and flourescent shop lights to start seeds (mostly veggies and annuals and a few perennial flowers) indoors, was thinking once they're going strong, I'd put them in this mini portable greenhouse. Will this work? I really want a real greenhouse, but will have to start with this first.

Thanks for the posts everyone.
Lynn

Lynn, I doubt that you would want to try to use that structure through the depths of winter in zone 5, but by early spring it might be fine. I don't know about using a heater in such a structure, but believe you're better off if it's controlled by a thermostat, not a timer. You'll still need to watch your internal temps carefully when it's sunny. Might have to be careful, too, when you move those seedlings from artifical light, that you don't burn them. Good air circulation, however you achieve it, is crucial ... I'd invest in a small clip-on fan or two.

Di

Di,

Thank you for the reality check! :) I hadn't planned to use this greenhouse year round, just to help me start all of my plants for garden and yard.

Where can I find a heater and can you give me an idea of an appropriate one for this size greenhouse?

Thanks,
Lynn

Hi Lynn,

try checking out www.growerssupply.com they have a bunch of things for both hobby and commercial growers. Good luck and happy growing!

I know this is an old link but my father ordered me a greenhouse from whiskey-rock and I was wondering how your greenhouse was? Mine was less than stellar so far. They shipped the wrong greenhouse and the cover is supposed to be clear but it's white and it's basically a portable garage car cover. I'm still waiting to hear back from them so I'm a bit discouraged.

Hay everyone that has been knocking HFGH's take alook at whishey-rock.com. Selling the same greenhouses for more money. 6X8 for $399 and 10X12 for $999. Glad I bought my 2 10x12 and 1 6X8 from Harbor Freight.

LAURK,

My husband bought me a portable greenhouse last year, 5x8. It Gave me an early start last spring, but I have lots to learn. One of my biggest problems was regulating the temperature, on a sunny day that small space could get quite hot quite fast, despite the outside air temp. I am trying to find ways to get as many water containers as possible to regulate this. IT certainly warmed the soil early, and it occupied me what I had the pre-garden-season itchies.

Good luck! Let me know what you discover.

Tracy

Put in a misting syatem with a timer. About a $100 total. It keeps my greenhouses reasonable even in the summer. I also run fans. Have auto vent openers. But have to do something in the summerheat in Ocala, Florida