HFGH 6x8? Opinions?

17 years ago

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47712

Anyone have this greenhouse? Thoughts? Opinions? Extras you have added to it and how much that bumped up the cost? Exploring my options. I would like to have a small greenhouse by late summer/early fall.

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Comments (5)

gardenerwantabe
17 years ago
The search feature will net you hours of reading on this subject.
Try it then if you have questions ask.
The search is your friend use it.
agardenstateof_mind
17 years ago
Welcome, Sqftgarden. The previous post is correct - you'll find a wealth of information on the 6x8 HFGH if you run a search. Overall, I believe most people are very happy with them; in most places, they don't require the structural modifications the 10x12 does. I am in a similar zone, USDA 7, coastal New Jersey, have one and have been thrilled with it (though it is a little cramped ... but I think I'd have the same problem with a much larger one anyway, lol).

The amount of info you'll find in a search can seem overwhelming, so, in brief, I believe I spent somewhere between $600& $800 all told; the following list may not be all-inclusinve, but probably close.

Trailer rental for transport (we picked up at a local HF store), treated 2x10's & hardware for base, weatherstripping tape, caulk, gravel, paving blocks, benching & shelving materials, U-clamps for hanging things, circulating fan, electric heater, small propane heater for backup, wireless thermo-hygrometer, automatic roof vent, clear solar pool cover, 2 sheets 1" foam board for north wall & roof, hardware cloth and foil faced bubble-wrap type insulation for rodent and draft barriers around perimeter, GFCI outlet. I didn't buy a shade cloth, since ours is under a limbed-up tall oak, which provides dappled shade May-late September in all but the morning hours. Ours took about 6 hours to build (we had prepared the site the day before, and electric had already been run to the garden shed, so it was a very short run from there to the greenhouse.)

I can provide you with more specifics, but first run a search and take a look at what others have already posted. Lots of good ideas out there, and "Conifers" posted a wonderful set of photos and notes documenting his assembly. A lot will depend on what your site is like (i.e., any special conditions like high winds, sloping ground, etc.) and how you plan to use the greenhouse.

Be careful, though, as these things can be habit-forming. I am completely hooked ... I'd give up my second bathroom before I'd give up my greenhouse!

Diane
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A recent update from the person who received the yucca is that it is green and doing well. The transplanted cholla are doing well, of course, but it will be a while before I know if any sacaton survived. We have been making progress but not as quickly as we hoped. (No surprise there! ;-) ) We have the foundation blocks for the outside beds in place up to ground level and filled with dirt. Pavers have been placed, but not yet leveled, between the existing shed and the north edge of the foundation. We have the water and electrical stubbed in. We have the SHCS tubes in place for the outside beds of the east greenhouse and hope to start filling that section soon with the removed dirt. We have removed all planned use of poured concrete from our plans and have made this planned structure possible to remove easily while still unlikely to be blown away. (Mostly due to bolting the foundation via J-bolts to rebar under bond beam cement blocks.) DH will be checking to see what type of permits/inspections we will need for electrical, water, and structures. I suspect that it will be just water and electric. We won't fill in any more until we find out. It is getting hot already so we will be putting in the outside structure and shade cloth before the central shed and greenhouses. That way we can work in the shade. :-)
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I have a HFGH 10-12, and put all four vents on one side, as I was concerned about wind tearing the vents out on one side. I have two Bayliss MK7's and the other two are the original manual ones. I have had the GH running for almost a year now, and never use the two manual ones. The MK7's open and close like clockwork daily. Other additions I have made are adding an exhaust fan (over door) and motorized shutter (on opposite wall), Aluminet shade cloth (50%), various fans running nonstop and a humidifier which I have coming on when the humidity gets too low for my plants' preferences. I am in southern cal., where it can be quite dry. Without the shadecloth everything inside would fry, even with all the other mods. You might consider alternatives to a second vent, but if you still think it's necessary, one option would be to install a round marine vent, which is passive. You would just install it in one of the poly panels. They are rain proof and you could install it somewhere other than in the roof, which might improve the interior draft. Not sure what you would do about it when you are winterizing, however, but I think some of them come with an option to close manually. Another idea is to modify a large panel by cutting it horizontally, line the cut edges with aluminum channel (or even aluminum tape)installing a piano hinge to re-join the cut edges, cut a bit off the bottom to compensate for the hinge, shave a hair off either side to clear the channels in the framework, and fashion a handle like the one which came with your gh. Doing this on a side panel would be better than another roof vent, since adding another roof vent just offers a partial airflow pattern. Unfortunately this would involve removing the caulking you applied. Lastly, assuming you want to make something out of the non-caulked panel (in the roof, presumably), you could still try to use a piano or other hinge, perhaps attaching it to the crown frame. If you would be using it daily, you would need to add some framework for stability. Ann
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belleville_rose_gr
17 years ago
i have just moved into that HFGH and loving it. I didn't have room for anything larger so i bought this one. Installation was uneventful except I needed to add another 2x8 to the front frame(door). i used the dimensions provided but was short no biggie. I have since ordered a shade cloth, mister and timer because the gh will heat up fast. I just put shelves in on one side and will add shelves to the other but am planning on installing a planting bed because i hope to grow some veggies longer into the season hopefully till thanksgiving maybe xmas. I know this first year will be an eperience but am thoroughly enjoying the time.
agardenstateof_mind
17 years ago
Congratulations on your greenhouse; may you continue to enjoy it as much as you are already.

A few others reported that problem with the printed base dimensions. We assembled the aluminum base first, measured it, then cut and fastened the wood foundation together (then put the aluminum base on again to make sure the fit was right, with much checking at various stages to make sure everything was level and square ... my son's a little OCD about that, but it's all for the best in the end).
turquoise
17 years ago
We'll be starting on ours this weekend. One tip is to check online for coupons, a 30% off coupon I printed out saved us $99! If you're going to a local store check the internet to see if it's cheaper, they'll match the price.

We picked ours up at a local store and were able to safely get it home strapped to the roof rack of a VW Golf. We haven't decided on the extras yet, but estimate our treated wood and gravel base (landscape timbers, decking material, gravel, insulation panels, hardware) will probably tack on $150, maybe $200.

HFGH 6x8? Opinions?

Comments (5)

gardenerwantabe

agardenstateof_mind

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