Vicki, tell your hubby not to be such a nitpicker. The guy who levels the area can go a little bit over sized, and then it can be taken care of when you back fill to the size of the foundation. As far as the need for a true foundation, it looks like to me that this GH does not really require it. My recommendation is, unless you want to put it onto a poured concrete or laid concrete block foundation (which might require you to have a building permit) just dig holes at the corners, and about every two to three feet along the sides (on the inside) and set treated wood posts at least three feet deep. Then attach your treated two by eight base frame to it. I don't have one of these GH's yet, but hopefully someone who does will send you the dimensions from thiers. If not, open the box and find the instruction sheet. (If worse comes to worse, you may have to measure your base plates. I've bought Harbor Freight stuff in the past, and know first hand how "good" thier instructions are.) Kevin

Sheri, WOW, what an awesome project. And the time and effort to document it the way you did will surely help many folks through a very difficult construction project. OH, so many, many, years ago when I was still in the USN, I had redwood and fiberglass house that was about 8X10 feet. I grew orchids in SC, KS, FL, and VA in that little thing. We lived in a mobile home, so the greenhouse got disassembled and put in the home for transport, and the orchids traveled in a rented U-Haul. A couple of things I learned the hard way (you learned some of them also, I see) was that you need more shade than you ever imagined. I suspended my shade cloth above the plastic greenhouse (about 4 inches) and found that the air space actually increased the shade effect, and noticeably decreased the heat load inside the house. Another thing that would be difficult for you to do since your studs are so shallow, and metal, would be to double insulate the house. Mine had 2X4" supports that were wood, so I stapled painters sheet plastic on the inside, trapping four inches of dead air in the walls. You can't purchase better insulation than that, and it gives you a way to mount your electrical boxes away from the direct spray from watering. Another approach to cooling was to use a "Swamp Cooler"....to you westerners, an evaporative cooler. Mount the cooler on the ground outside the house and let it blow the cool moist air into the house. Cool moist air stays low, and the hot dry air is forced out the top vents. the vent opening at the top can be used to regulate the cooling inside the house. Also, I found the positive pressure in the house helped keep bugs outside. I don't know if HF sells different size houses, but I always suggest purchasing the largest house you can afford. The more inside volume of air you have the more economical the house is to heat and cool. Once the air gets to temp, the more of it there is the longer it takes for it to change temp, which means more time off for the heat and cooling. These are a few of the things I learned in my school of hard knocks, and pass them along for information to anyone who is interested. Bill

Well let's get the old thread rippin'... I use and abuse the predators.. #1 Get some Dura-lube put 1/2 quart in the engine then top off with good synthetic. I've noticed over the years they "small engines" hold less oil for factory fill levels. So you might jus figure a 50/50 Duralube/Good synthetic. The engine will run a whole lot cooler causing less wear. #2 use only non ethanol gas if possible. People from California can figure it out themselves or move. Add "mechanic in a bottle" it's a cheap fix for the under sized needle valves and jets. #3 store in a semi clean dark area. This helps keep the fuel from turning. Always use fresh gas. A good adaptive like stabil, marvel mystery oil, sea foam, or mechanic in a bottle is a must. #4 if you plan on having the engine a while buy an extra carb and 2 or 3 primer bulbs. #5 add a fuel filter in line. Yes your tank gets trash or chemical break down as well as the lines corrode too. Your local boat shop will carry ethanol and alcohol resistant line. It ain't cheap but you'll save a Shit load of time and labor. These comments on cart guys need to say change your rings weekly and change the bearings at most monthly.. Re grind "seat" valves weekly.. Carts can take a 5hp and push ^ 100mph on asphalt.. Don't forget Toleson in carb $250-300... Then get the adjustable carb for on the fly just couple hundred more... New copper headgaskets help with the new found cylinder head pressure... Also heat treat the valve springs for more tensile strength.. Drop 5 to 10g's in a very average cart and run in Minden Louisiana. Nationals for gocarts. Hope I helped somebody... Did I mention Dura-lube... Give it a try in any small engine.. You'll be surprised..

One of those days, work called so I left a bit later than planned and promptly hit traffic (forgot everyone was headed home after the holiday) I walked around Otto and looked at my options, I had decided if they had a Crocus left I was going to take it. I have looked at it every trip down but skipped buy it, was too big for one spot and might not be big enough for where I want it, but it keeps calling me. I had my list of ideas for a second, but decided I would look at all of the ones on my list and see just how they were handling the inland heat. One stood out and happy, with blooms waving with no crisping, etc (it was only 81 there when today as a high per TWC) A nice size and was on my maybe list, so Lady of Megginch it was today. I hit even more traffic trying to get back to Camarillo, barely made it to Harbor Freight Tools before they closed. So I ended up missing Nopalito before they closed for the day. I did peak at their plants and a few look interesting. Lowes of course was still open so I got my Russian Sage. I skipped the green thumb store, okay I missed the exit and had enough of traffic and was not going to try and work my way back. BUT, Lowes had $7.98 2.5 pots of Iceberg, but not just regular Iceberg, but what looks like 3 own root Icebergs, white, brilliant pink and burgundy. I had to get a pair, now to decide where to put them!