Sorry for following up to my own post, but I wanted to add the link to the 8x10 HFGH. I think many people are not familiar with this one yet.

Here is a link that might be useful: HFGH 8x10

by the doorway dimentions your going to have to lay down and slide in . i'm sure it is a typo on their part.

you will probably be stooping alot by the looks of the height of the sidewalls in the picture.

the doors may catch some wind when they are open. i dont know anything about this greenhouse, just going by the picture. you will sure want to do some type of reinforcing inside. not sure how since mine is the 10x12 and the side walls are taller, which gave me head clearance.

I'm 6' also and by the looks of the 8x10 it is not going to be user friendly except fot the center area.

one option for you may be to build a taller foundation to set it to get it taller. but you will have to use a different door if you went that route.

hopefully someone will have better advice for you.

Thanks so much for responding! The more I look at it, the more it seems that I should follow the 6x8 modifications. I believe people overcame the height restrictions by building a foundation on 2x6's or 2x8's.

I still can't figure out why the front panels are white.

Anyone else give me any pointers, suggestions?

If you orient your GH so that the white end faces west, it could cut down on the hot afternoon sun.
OTOH, the white panels may be insulated (or insulatable) and intended for facing north.

I can't see that you would need any fewer modifications than those used in any other HFGH. Reinforce and tie down securely. If you raise the foundation, you'll just have a high threshhold over which to step -- takes getting used to, or you might want different doors, as mentioned above.

With a 2' center aisle for walking where the roof is highest, 36" side benches can easily be reached across on each side.

I think you'll enjoy it. Read every post you can find on modifications, while you're waiting for the GH to arrive.
Nell

Well, I think I want to face the white to the north. It's just how it works out- but I was thinking the same thing. It might look cool with the white fronts, who knows?

I have been reading as much as I can about setting this up. I am thinking it will be set on 2x10s or 2x12s. I would use 4x4s cemented in at each corner. This method seems like it would be very secure (like my deck) and also allow me to level it off perfectly- without it having to be on level ground. I will back-fill it once it is in place. This is how many people have set the 8x6 greenhouse. This will give me extra head room, and the threshhold that you mention.

I am not sure how to make shelves yet, but I guess I have time to figure it out.

Thanks!!!

It looks as though your panic attack has subsided. Good.

I have had the 6x8 for some years now (I think four?) and still enjoy it. Would love to move up to the 8x10 but not sure if there's room for it. So, lucky you!

I'm 5'7" and placed mine on a foundation of 2x10's for a little extra height; there is room to work without stooping and I don't mind having to step over the threshhold.

My greenhouse is in a somewhat protected spot, with a large white oak to the west, a fence and naturalized area to the north and garden shed to the east, but I've not had any problems with wind. It is neither tied down, with minimal anchoring at the corners. We did, however, run two protective layers around the perimeter inside - under the gravel and up along the foundation: first a layer of hardware cloth to exclude burrowing animals that may wish to overwinter there, and then a layer of Reflectix insulation to exclude drafts. A couple of years ago I swept the gravel off to the sides and set a gray paver walkway down the middle (I'm an incorrigible barefoot gardener).

There are several options for shelves. Someone posted photos of shelves secured to center posts at each end. Very nice. Mine are white cedar on the cheap: a local manufacturer/retailer/installer of fencing materials sells their picket fencing seconds for $10/3'x8' section. Cut off the pickets ends outside the two horizontal rails, and we had a bench top just the right size.

Our winters are probably a little warmer here in coastal NJ than your RI winters, but I use the GH all winter. We put on its winter coat, a clear solar pool cover, in early November, and the 1" foam insulation panel on the north wall stays up year 'round. The insulation panels on the north 1/3 of the east and west walls, like the strip of Reflectix insulation on the lower part of the north roof, come down in spring.

I overwinter tender perennials, grow some veggies and herbs through the winter, rotate house plants through for R&R, have a few orchids, start forced bulbs, start other rhizomes/bulbs/tubers for spring planting outside, and grow some seedlings - most are wintersown, but the tomatoes have to be started inside because I just can't wait for that first fresh, home-grown Jersey tomato!

My husband enjoys the greenhouse, too ... no, he's not a gardener, he just likes to sit out there and read, lol. Not a bad idea to leave room for a chair while you're planning your space.

That greenhouse will be arriving soon ... good luck and enjoy! (And please keep us posted.)

Yea, I guess I am calmed down a bit. It was like buyers remorse, and the panic of actually having to put this thing together! I am pretty good at building things, I guess. I just re-built my kitchen...but there are so many parts to this beast!

I am now leaning toward a 2x12 foundation after what you said. What do you think about hose white panels? Wierd?

As far as benches go you could get a few of those cheap fold out saw horses and set your choice of material on them.

I also have a 16x48 hoop house and built my own bench tops. I used some 1 1/2 angle iron and some horse panels. i have a small mig welder and just decided how wide i wanted my benches, cut the angle iron and welded the peices together. I then used my 4 1/2 angle grinder with a cut off disc and cut the horse panel to fit and welded it in.Took a can of spray paint and painted the frame and set them on the fold out saw horses.

The horse panel was $60 and is 5'x16'. So i was able to make 6 bench tops out of it. with the angle iron it came out to about 21"x 8'. I dont remember the cost of the angle iron. But it was alot cheaper then buying the expensive ones you see advertised. Should last a long time and pretty easy to move around.

plus the little fold out saw horses have a bar on the bottom you could make into a bench by putting a board on it.

Well, I know I will figure out something for shelves/benches once it is up. I am hoping to have my son dig holes this weekend for my posts. I don't want to set up the 2x12's until I get the GH base assembled. That way I can make it exactly fit.

Thanks for the advice everyone- and keep it coming. I will be setting up a Picassa of the entire process!

I read on another forum that some of the panels on the HFGH are now white rather than clear to keep it a little cooler in the summer heat.

We purchased the HFGH 6x8 today, but haven't opened the box yet. I am in Rhode Island as well and look forward to your Picassa!

Hi mrs_v! That makes sense I guess! It just seemed a little weird. I had to order my GH- they don't stock them in the stores. I wish I could have just picked it up on Bald Hill Rd!

Maybe we should start another thread about building these. I know there are a bunch of threads already, but we could help each other out along the way- and in turn help people building the 8x10 and 8x6 as well.

What are you planning for your foundation? Do you plan to use it in the winter?

Hello brumor! We're going with a 2x10 pressure treated frame with 2x4 bottom sills facing inside as clw1 suggested. (Link provided) In fact, DH is out there working on it as I type.

I would love to use it in the winter, but that decision will depend on a number of factors.

There are so many helpful suggestions on this forum about the HFGH that I'm convinced we made the right choice. I look forward to documenting our progress and reading about yours.

Here is a link that might be useful: clw1

Ok, later today I am going to start a new thread where we can document the process and troubleshoot. Hopefully other will join in the discussion.

I just bought my 2x10's yesterday!