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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Green House Recommendations?

9 years ago

HI! we would like to put up our first green house (I'm from Russia and grew up eating real vegetables, and just can't take any more store-bought cucumbers, tomatoes and the like!) :)

Our budget is not huge, let's say up to $1000. We found this green house on Harbor Freight, the price is great ($599 with a coupon). Mixed reviews. Would anyone be able to comment on this specific GH? Is it sturdy enough, if we modify with extra brackets and bolts and glue the panels? We are in Illinois, so a lot of snow in winter time.

And, any other recommendations would be very helpful!

thank you, awesome people!

Here is a link that might be useful: Harbor Freight 10X12 GH

This post was edited by lyoshka on Tue, Sep 9, 14 at 12:19

Comments (7)

sand_mueller
9 years ago
It is almost shocking how much bigger and better a greenhouse you can have if you buy and paint 2x4"s, build to a good design and then cover with twinwall. I have about 580 sq.ft. of tall greenhouse that I built for $2700.
lyoshka
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi sand_mueller! Thanks for your response. So, if we, say, aimed for this size (10X12, 10ft high), what would it run approximately if my husband built it? Also, what is twinwall? pretty new to GH - my youth was spent in the mandatory gardening, which I choose to not remember willingly, since it was never a labor of love for me ;) Now, we really want to grow our stuff, so now I want to know everything about everything... so share away!

Also, correct me if I'm wrong... isn't wood terrible for GH construction? all that heat and moisture? How long would that frame last? Not knocking your idea, it clearly works for you, just trying to understand :)
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oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
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Right above the listing of your first post is a box to search garden web for topics. Just enter "hfgh" , press "go" and you will have all the information ever posted on this site for the Harbor Freight greenhouses. The list is very extensive.
lyoshka
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you, cuestaroble!
jrslick (North Central Kansas, Zone 5B)
9 years ago
Build your own and save huge $$.

When I first built my high tunnels to grow produce in, I spent about $500 to built my first 18ft by 48ft, this was 7 plus years ago.

{{gwi:9882}}

My moveable hightunnels were in the $700-$800 range.

{{gwi:294595}}

Also check craigslist, I bought this one for $500, had to tear it down and rebuild, but it was well worth it.

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I also bought this one used and moved it,

{{gwi:303965}}

Jay
sand_mueller
9 years ago
My one coat painted studs and rafters show no rot after four years. I did have to rebuild the bottom plated because I didn't protect it at original construction. I'll put his on another thread later but is sheet plastic an ethical choce for glazing anymore? See my photos on opinion thread.
oldlady59
9 years ago
I just got done with my HFGH. and let me tell you for the savings it wasn't worth it. If I had to do it all over again I'd put another 500 dollars with it and built it from wood. I did all the reinforcining that Mudhouse advised. The kit is just flimsy and not worth the $600.00 I paid for it not counting all the extra cost for reinforcing materials and extra foam. If it last me 3 years it will totally amaze me.

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