HFGH Question... Newbie needs help!!

17 years ago

I just found all the hfgh posts and i am having information overload. I have been planning on buying a greenhouse for the past month. Cost has kept me from purchasing a kit. I have toyed with the idea of framing a shed type and covering with plastic film.... much like all the tobacco growers here have. The hfgh seems like a great kit at a great price. I will make the modifications and strengthen it up. I can build the frame constuction for about the same price. I think the prefab kit will look a little better from the street. What are your experiences with plactic sheeting houses and how do they compare to the 6mm panels as far as heat retention and so on....

Seems like there will be as much work putting this kit together as constructing from scratch. I am torn but leaning towards the kit. I have a harbor freight right down from my fire station. They have the 10x12 in stock.

What is a list of starter accesories i will need? Exhaust fans, heaters. etc.

I will be starting seeds and trying to winter cannas and aroids etc if possible. I assume i will have to heat it in order to do so. Ky weather changes by the day!

I am so greatful for the knowledge bank available on this website!

I am an experienced gardener but have never had a greenhouse before. I have about 25 flats of seeds already growing in my basement! Too early but i am tired of waiting on spring!

Is there a link to greenhouse 101 somewhere? SOrry so long but i have so many ?????????

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Comments (4)

PRO
Nell Jean
17 years ago
I can give you some idea of costs of the HFGH. Can't tell you how much time to put it together -- we're retired and work at a slower pace. Reading posts here on how others put their together will definitely be helpful.

I didn't document the details of building because it had already been done so well. We did put the roof on piece by piece rather than as the instructions directed. Can you imagine two old people on ladders struggling with an unwieldy aluminum structure eight feet in the air?

Additional purchases for HFGH reinforcement:

Spring Clips -- $10.95
Bolts -- 15.96
Bolts -- 24.27
Aluminum tape 19.94
Aluminum piece 10.98
Straps 9.44
Wafer Screws 7.97
Clamps 4.67
-- a cost of about $105.00 US.

The following would be necessary for any greenhouse set up that we might have used, not just the HFGH:

Treated lumber for base and hardware for assembly
Ground Fault outlets
Water pump
Drum fittings and hoses
Hoses
Elec. Box and Breakers
Wire -- we already had wire -- that's another hundred.
Outlet boxes
Duplex boxes, recept. covers
Conduit
Water Valve
Pipe and fittings
Temperature Gauge
Water Drums

Adding this doubled the cost of the HFGH.

I have not included the cost of buying or building benches, patio pavers for the paths and barrel support, nor the cost of a heater (we already have heaters), nor the cost of shading.

Everybody's mileage will vary because of regional differences, personal needs and individual ideas on how this should be done.

I hope this gives you a general idea of what to expect.

Nell

Here is a link that might be useful: Greenhouse
PRO
Nell Jean
17 years ago
There are some 'do it yourself' greenhouse sites on University Extension sites on the web, using plastic sheeting and a hoop frame.

Unversity West Virginia Planning and Building a Greenhouse

U. Alabama Publications

U. Alabama Plans

U.Tenn Plans

There are others.

Oh, and I forgot to list the HF vent openers as another expense for the HFGH -- optional, but nice.

Nell
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Many folks are attracted to HFGF because of the relatively small cost, not realizing the additional costs/preparations especially for a year 'round setup. Depending upon what sorts of things you want to grow, what your minimum winter temps are, maximum summer temps, and desired interior temps, you might be spending quite a bit more. Given the structural weaknesses with HFGF and necessary augmentations, I would highly recommend investigating other options. I grow orchids in a homebuilt gh in Zone 8a, and have a superior structure with benches, air chiller, etc., for ~$500. My floor is dirt, and I understand that bricks/pavers is the best to keep clean. Gravel drains well, but is impossible to sweep up leaves, etc. Depends upon what you plan to grow. To answer your question about placement, you need the sunniest location in your yard. If you have shade, make the priority morning sun, because this will make the biggest difference in wintertime heating. Orient your gh so that the eight-foot walls are perpendicular to the east, so that the maximum amount of morning solar energy can heat things up quickly. Of course, this will also overheat you in the summer, so you'll have to be equipped to hang shade cloth when necessary. The orientation I've described above is the ONLY reason I've been able to grow orchids here without spending quite a bit more on heating. There's a lot to learn, but the internet and this site are good tools for you. -Bruce C.
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Permit requirements can vary a LOT depending on where you live. This question doesn't seem to come up often here, so either most people aren't required to have inspections for their 10x12 greenhouses...or, maybe they sort of forget to contact the city. In my city, no permit (or inspection) is required for a single-story building 120 square feet or less. (They do require a permit for electrical work.) We also paid attention to how close we could put the greenhouse to the property line. Are you sure your city requires a permit/inspection for a greenhouse this small? Without a permanent (concrete) foundation? If you haven't already, I'd just call the local building permit folks, and find out what is required. The city codes enforcement folks here turned out to be very helpful.
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tfb4me
17 years ago
HI there let me wiegh in on this and ask a question aswell...
The home depot is having a sale now on starter greenhouses.They are just a 4 shelf stand covered in plastic with 2 zippers.You cold just get one of these and heat it alone and thus would eliminate the need to heat the whole GH.This would be only good for a hobbyist.
My question is...I have a friend who is a ginsin farmer...Could I use some shade cloth from his farm for the greenhouse? Also Does it go on the inside or outside?
PRO
Nell Jean
17 years ago
Everybody has their own notions about what works best. I've done okay up to now with cuttings and tropicals in the unheated laundry room windows where it never gets below 40 degrees. Last winter, I trundled a kitchen cart in and out with little seedling trays on it to get sun and avoid the cold.

Shade cloth doesn't mind what it shades. Does the percentage of shade this particular cloth provides meet your need? If used, is it in good shape? Shade generally goes on the outside, unless you can work out some kind of support for it inside. If you put it outside, you can hem it to fit and then put grommets so you can tie it to stakes to keep it from blowing away, unless you use some other means to secure it.

HFGH Question... Newbie needs help!!

Comments (4)

Nell Jean

Nell Jean

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