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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

First time greenhouse suggestions

14 years ago

Living just outside of Detroit, I have individually wrapped my 3 main palms every year. First with chicken wire and several strands of christmas lights, then with black landscaping fabric and filled in the space (between the fabric and wiring)with leaves. This year I have decided to build a greenhouse over the entire area, letting the sun keep it warm during the day and heat lamps above the each palm for the nights and a kerosene heater for the really cold ones. I dont need to keep it at 60, but would like to stay above freezing.

I have my frame built, see pictures, but am looking for any other suggestions. I am also looking for a source for some good, 6 mil plastic in the 30' x 17' size. The greenhouse itself measures 21'L x 11'W x 4'H at the top.

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Comments (6)

kudzu9
14 years ago
My only suggestion is be cautious of snow buildup, and remove any ASAP. It looks like you have done a nice job of construction, but the slope of the structure is such that you might under some conditions get a fair amount of snow that doesn't slide off, and a large snow load could cause some stress or even collapse, particularly if those joints aren't glued together.
pyratejim
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the heads up. I am hoping that between the wind and internal heat, that most will turn into snow melt, but am prepared for cleaning it off if need be. The plans I followed (roughly) said not to glue any of the joints (for easy summer storage) but I am thinking about going back and gluing the hoops to the the top 4-ways at the very least.
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wordwiz
14 years ago
At the very least, I would find some kind of center supports. Snowfall is not as bad as freezing rain, unless you plan on keeping the heater cranked.

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kudzu9
14 years ago
pyratejim-
I understand why you would not want to glue the joints so you could store it easily, but I think you are correct in deciding that gluing at least some of them at key stress points would be prudent.
dirtydeeds
14 years ago
I built a greenhouse out of pvc pipe a few years ago by glueing 10ft pieces together, after two years the pipes broke right at the glue joints, my guess is that the glue softens the plastic at that spot and over time it becomes brittle, since then I only use 20' pipes and do not glue anything. I put it together using pipe straps screwed into the pvc for the side and roof bracing.
pyratejim
Original Author
14 years ago
I had just seen a link on using the pastic zip ties instead of glue and really like that idea. Suppose to be back near 60 this weekend and am going through and doing just that. Thanks.

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