skip to main content

Greenhouses & Garden Structures

my 6x8 greenhouse questions....

farmingvillefarmer

15 years ago

Hello al I just assembled my first ever greenhouse. I got the Enthusiast from Target. It's 6x8 made of aluminum framing and polyblahblahblah plastic, it's pretty sturdy though. I was wondering I need to put my plants outside as they are getting much to big under lights inside. Can I just use a small heater in it to keep it warm at night here in NY? It doesnt seem to get too cold at night anymore and I need the room inside to start more plants. I'd like to make the GH a warm safe place for my plants but it didnt come with a floor, can I buy brick and just lay them down inside? I really can't afford or have the time to have cement poured, maybe next year. Please leave me any tips or advise for this set up thank you.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

kudzu9
15 years ago
I use a $50, 1500 W thermostatic, oil-filled heater for my 10 X 15 GH in Zone 8 and it works fine to keep things from freezing. In fact I generally have it on the 750 W setting and that keeps things about 38F even when it's in the 20's. For your GH, in your Zone, a heater like this should be all you need. Just make sure you have a dedicated 15 amp circuit with nothing much else on it. If you don't have an outlet next to the greenhouse to plug the heater into, you'll need a 14 gauge (or preferably a 12 gauge), outdoor extension cord to avoid electrical/fire hazards.

As for flooring, bricks (or pavers) on sand are great because spills drain immediately. If you do concrete at some time, make sure you have a drain in the center. Do a search in this forum and you'll find a lot of posts on the subject of GH floors.
farmingvillefarmer
Original Author
15 years ago
OK I was able to acquire an electric heater that has 1200w and 1500w settings on it, its 12 amps and im using 14 gauge outdoor extension cord. Tonight is the first night I'll be leaving it on to see the temperature inside. I even left a Marigold in it to see if it lives. I really need to get these outside into the GH already.
Related Discussions
6 x 8 HF Greenhouse Question
Q
Comments (25)
Hi poaky1, I definately, absolutely needed extra clips for my HF 10x12 greenhouse, as well as screws through the panels into the frame. I can positively state that my greenhouse would not be standing today if I had not taken these steps. I did not caulk my panels in place, because I like to be able to remove them if needed. So, my solution was extra clips and screws, but Saturn3600 (above) used both extra clips and caulk, on his or her 6x8 greenhouse. There used to be more frequent threads around here, years ago, about Harbor Freight disasters, back before people knew to take a few extra steps to make the panels and foundation more secure. Here's one, for example. Greenhouse Disaster HFGH 10x12 You're the only one who can decide if it's worth the extra $9.99 plus shipping, for a package of 72 clips. To me, a little extra insurance seems like a no-brainer. Even if I lived in a climate that did not have uniformly high winds, I would not want to risk the loss of my greenhouse, or plants, but that's just me. An unusual gust of wind or errant windstorm can happen anywhere, even if it's not the norm. You can order extra clips by calling the 1-800 number on your Harbor Freight manual. For the 6x8 greenhouse, Harbor Freight uses the part number 46 for the panel clips. The SKU number is SKU number 27339, for a set of 72 clips, $9.99. Hope this helps, I know some of these decisions can be confusing. I sleep better if I err on the side of stability and safety (I really hate surprises.) I think they usually ship the clips pretty quickly.
...See More
State of the greenhouse (HF 6 x8)
Q
Comments (5)
Well that's a bummer. Here's a secret that sometimes works, and sometimes doesn't. When you want DH to do something, and he's not getting with it, go out and start doing it yourself. If he's like a lot of guys, he'll want to get involved and/or take over as soon as you get started, to make sure you're "doing it right"! ;-) If that doesn't work, just do like I did, and do it yourself. I did ask for (and received) DH's help in screwing panels onto the frame and repairing the damage, but I did all the insulating myself. Granted, it's not pretty, or professional, and it probably could be tighter, but it does the job, and I didn't have to wait for him. I used bungee cords and packing tape to put my bubble wrap up (clear, so light could still come through), and foam board insulation for the bottom 2ft. of the walls, and 4ft. of the north wall (it's just leaned up against the polycarb panels, and I had it cut at the hardware store). I used the foam in a can to seal off gaps in the frame - yes, even the ones at the roof line and corner seams. Not pretty, but it worked and was easier than calking the whole thing. Anyways, good luck for next year...at least most of your plants are still alive, which means with a little work, they'll probably spring back nicely. Plants are resiliant that way... :-)
...See More
Setting up a 6 x 8 greenhouse with supplemental lights
Q
Comments (1)
Use the link below to contact your local Oregon State University Cooperative Extension services. They should be able to tell you how much lighting and heat you will need to grow winter veggies. Here is a link that might be useful: OR State Coop. Ext. Services
...See More
Tent woodstove for 6x8 HF Greenhouse
Q
Comments (1)
I think you would have to sleep in there all night to make it work. My HF 6 by 8 has a cheap fan type electric heat on a thermostat. It is 1200 watt, but I have it set at 750 watt right now. I am happy with it. It is coming on an hour or two each morning. Mostly I have it to guard against frost. About 10 cents per hour to run.
...See More
agardenstateof_mind
15 years ago
Re flooring, I put down a center aisle of gray pavers, with gray gravel on each side (under the benches). Depending on what you put down, you might want to consider a hardware cloth barrier to exclude burrowing animals and a barrier or something like Reflectix to exclude drafts. I ran both layers around the perimeter (inside) under the gravel for several inches, and a few inches up the 2x10 treated lumber foundation.

Good luck with your new greenhouse!

Related Stories

GREEN DECORATING 8 Questions to Help You See Through Green Hype

By Laura Gaskill

With the ecofriendly bandwagon picking up some dubious passengers, here's how to tell truly green products and services from the imposters

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING See a Family Greenhouse Grown From Scraps

By Annie Thornton

Can-do resourcefulness and less than $400 lead to a new 8- by 8-foot home for plants on a Tennessee family's property

Easy Green: 6 Must-Answer Questions Before You Buy

By Laura Gaskill

Thinking about buying ecofriendly furniture? For a truly environmentally conscious home, ask yourself these questions first

MOST POPULAR 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer

By Kelli Kaufer Designs

Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

COFFEE WITH AN ARCHITECT A Quiz for Architects in Question

By Jody Brown Architecture, pllc

Should you trade in your T-square for a barista tray? Answer a few simple questions to find out

DOORS 5 Questions to Ask Before Installing a Barn Door

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Find out whether that barn door you love is the right solution for your space

LIGHTING 5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want

REMODELING GUIDES 9 Hard Questions to Ask When Shopping for Stone

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn all about stone sizes, cracks, color issues and more so problems don't chip away at your design happiness later

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Real Estate Agent

By Laura Gaskill

Here’s what you should find out before selecting an agent to sell your home

Sponsored

More Discussions

Thoughts on this as a greenhouse / sun room?

2

Greenhouse Orientation, which way to angle an odd shape?

0

Gazebo structure help

1