slowest construction of hfgh 6x8 in gw history!!!

17 years ago

Hi Guys 'n Gals!

Well, it only took me 2-1/2 months, but - as of last weekend - the Greenhouse Structure is DONE (Yayyyyyy!!!).

I've posted pics, observations, and Garden-Webbers' hints 'n links (Thanks to ALL!) on my website. Maybe this will help others who are considering purchasing the 6x8.

Important Note for Newbies: HF's instructions *have* improved (a bit) - but I couldn't have done it without conifer's pictures. Well, maybe I could have, but there would've been a lot more swearing going on!

Oh: And NO! It shouldn't take 2-1/2 months to build! I just wanted to take my time, do as much of it "solo" as possible (to minimize the "Jerry Springer Moments!"), and generally not stress-out over it...

Overall it was surprisingly easy to build, all of the pieces were "there," they do fit together nicely, and it's da*ned sturdy IMHO!

Next Steps: "Accessorizing!" And yes, I've started a separate webpage for that, as well...

Anyway - I just wanted to share. And say THANKS again to all of you for your wonderful advice!

-Nancy

Here is a link that might be useful: 2007 We bought a Greenhouse!

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Comments (5)

washoe_mark
17 years ago
Very nice job & great pictures. It looks like you don't have a wind problem in your yard with all the shrubs & lattice.
I considered getting the 6X8 but I went to the next size up.
I have the challenge of wind. It might take me 2 1/2 mo. to make my 10X12 HFGH strong.
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javan
17 years ago
Great job building and doing all the hints we've gleaned over time. Enjoy! Jim
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Greenjeans, I was composing my last message when you posted your last one, so didn't see it 'til now. LOL - you finally got me to get out a pencil and paper and do my best to sketch out your situation! Just for the sake of comparison, my back yard is about 4,000 square feet and is due north of our home, our side yards, too, are unusable: 10 feet on one side (driveway) and 7 on the other. There are a LOT of trees here, on my neighbors' properties too. Very limiting. Along the west side, in the only really sunny spot, is a little vegetable garden - 8x16 feet - and I try to keep it as attractive as it is productive. Behind it, there's a 10x12 storage shed (whose days are numbered, as it's sitting on some valuable sunny land.) Over by the east property line is what I've been advised is an "advanced water garden" about 14'x16' (true koi ponds don't have shelves, plants, etc.), with a bog garden, waterfall, landscaping and sitting area; nearby is a gazebo. My greenhouse is tucked between the shed and the AWG. (At the right time in the late afternoon, reflected sunlight from the water dances on the greenhouse walls.) There are flower beds and borders all around. Briefly: I understand your constraints. Although our style is definitely not manicured ... just wouldn't fit in the woodsy atmosphere here. What about the southwest corner - no room there? This is just me, but I'd take out the maple. In my experience I've found them to be very shallow rooted and cast deep shade - both of which make it difficult to grow anything beneath them. Many varieties are also prone to root girdling. There are many types of trees that are hardy, deeper rooted, and will cast a more forgiving dappled shade. The sloped contour of the land to the north/northwest alone should not be a problem. I think it is MilwaukeeDave who built his greenhouse on a slope ... built up a foundation (knee wall if you will) to level the structure. This could easily be decorative or camouflaged. However ... the northwest exposure might be an issue and I don't have enough experience to address that one. Though I think the bottom line is how many hours of sunlight would it get during the season(s) you intend to use it heavily, and is there any protection from cold, heavy winds. Best of luck to you. The planning and deciding is the toughest part ... which is why I sometimes (just sometimes) just follow my heart, plunge ahead, and work it out as I go. Di
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gardenerwantabe - I agree with your point. We built it on the driveway so we would have a flat surface near tools and power. The debate is now on as to the permanent location to which we will move it, which have been thrown into flux due to gato's wind issues. She wants it over in the corner where it will get direct (and sometimes very hot) sun - I am proposing a location between some trees where it will have some shelter from the wind, and a bit less direct sun. I won't install either the corner bracing, or any other enhancements such as angle aluminum across the doorway or 1/2 EMT across the mid-sections until we have the GH sitting on footings at a permanent location. Then I will add all of that to stiffen and secure the unit. 2 questions: We are in Mount Shasta, CA which is snow country (3500' elevation) and the snow can tend to be fairly wet and heavy. We had as much as 3' accumulation in some areas of the property over the past winter during some storms. Obviously I should remove snow from the roof if it accumulates like that, but I'm thinking about establishing some structural support along the roofline - either directly beneath the ridge, or adjacent to the #30 braces that are installed in the roof. Those supports would be probably be 2x4 or 2x6 lumber, supported by wood posts down to the ground. Does this seem a good idea, or unnecessary? In an earlier post, I raised the idea of setting the GH on top of 2x12 PT fir, so that it would sit on a footing like this: I see that you set your's on 4x4 PT. My thought is to raise the GH in this manner so that when snow is on the ground, at least the first foot of snow accumulation would be against the wood foundation. I realize this means a step up and over the threshold. Any thoughts on this? Does anyone believe that this amount of wood foundation, or possibly more, would help in terms of withstanding snow accumulation? Would the additional height raise any other issues concerning the effectiveness of the GH? Thanks, Greg
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Soooo... Does this mean that nobody has actually purchased/installed the HF Solar Ventilation fan in their GH? Now I'm getting nervous - wondering if ordering it was a "Bad Idea" <:->Anybody??? Thx! -N (BTW - I posted minimal "Construction Update" pics tonight. It's been very slow-going!!!) Here is a link that might be useful: 2007 - We bought a Greenhouse!
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Thanks, I've wanted a greenhouse as long as I can remember. I had no idea that the HF existed until I read this forum for the first time yesterday. I was actually looking for something else. I've known of GW for many years but never looked at this section. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I had no idea one could be had for such an inexpensive price. Even with modifications and upgrades it will cost much less than I ever dreamed. I read this forum for hours and hours yesterday. I have a small yard and only one place to put it and no way would the 10 x 12 fit or I'd get it but ANY greenhouse is better than NO greenhouse, right? I want a chair in it and lights and I'm mostly going to make it a tropical jungle, not shelves for propagation or production. I am going to put a small pond in it too to winter over tropical waterlilies and other tropical pond plants. I grew up in Arizona and the rainy dreary nine months of winter in Portland is killing me even after twenty years of living here. I want a retreat where it will be warm and sunny!
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imqtpi
Original Author
17 years ago
Au contraire, Washoe Mark! We most definitely *do* get high winds in my backyard! Yeah, I would've thought that it'd be pretty protected in that corner, but it really isn't!

We had a huge windstorm last winter that took out several trees in our neighborhood; knocked over a couple of our 25' tall Italian Cypresses and blew my "tent" greenhouse to smithereens (which was in the exact same location)!

Our late-summer has been pretty breezy, and I haven't heard any rattling or seen any 'flexing' of panels (yet!). The truly Yucko Weather won't hit for a few more months...

I think this GH will hold up pretty good, though. Seems *very* sturdy!

Good Luck w/your 10x12!

(I see now that HF has an 8x10 - I would've gone for that one - had it been available!)

-Nancy
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milwdave
17 years ago
They ARE surprisingly sturdy when complete even without extensive modifications. Just a few little tweaks is all it needs. Mine has survived 60 mph winds without any problems...at first it made me gulp as it was full of orchids but no sweat...stood up fine.

Dave
Milwaukee
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imqtpi
Original Author
17 years ago
Yeah they are very sturdy, Dave! I'm very happy with it :-)

Okay Riddle Me This, Garden-Webbers: I bought a roll of window screen so I can, well, keep the friggin' bugs out!

How do you "screen" the upper vents? Seems to me that - even if you don't have a self-opener - you still need to be able to reach up-and-thru the vent from the inside of the GH. i.e. to use the vent-support-thingie to prop the window open. Even worse w/the self-opener since the unit is pretty cumbersome, size-wise.

I'm kind of envisioning that the screen should fit along the 3 "sides" of the vent and be 'stuck-down' to the roof (/framing) of the GH in some fashion (it'd undoubtedly "pooch-out" around the sides when the vent is closed). But I haven't quite figured out how I'm gonna finagle that.

Doorway screening shouldn't be a problem. I've seen those dangly doorway screens w/magnets @ Charley's (and other sources), so I'm not so worried about that. But I am definitely curious to know if anyone has screened the upper window-vents and how that was accomplished (Pictures, anyone??).

Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions!

-N
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slowest construction of hfgh 6x8 in gw history!!!

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slowest construction of hfgh 6x8 in gw history!!!

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washoe_mark

javan

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milwdave

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