Greenhouse Redesign
chickentimmy
6 years ago
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Greenhouse plans
Comments (5)I am currently in the process of designing final plans for my custom greenhouse. My best advice is to read and read some more, on every site you can, then digest it all and ask lots of questions on this forum. Read about kits, read about other peoples' experiences. Then formulate what you think you want to do with your greenhouse in the different seasons, and ask yourself which features of all the different greenhouses out there suit those needs and desires. Set your budget, and approach a builder (or assess your own building skills if you intend to build it yourself). Then ask more questions on this forum. There is a diverse group of greenhouse owners here who generously offer their particular expertise. Digest their advice, then redesign some more. That is my advice! I am currently finalizing plans with my builder, who I chose for his vast building experience in my climate and his interest in gardening and greenhouses. My greenhouse will not look like any other, will not be set up like any other, but for me will incorporate the best features for what I think will work in my harsh climate. I will happily share my plans with anyone interested once they are in final form. I would encourage you to "think outside the box" and make it yours by customizing to your needs. Just my thoughts! good luck-...See MoreWould I need to heat my Sonoma County greenhouse?
Comments (6)I love greenhouses and their potential. I've always found, though, that smaller "hobby" greenhouses don't live up to their hoop-la. The small size makes it difficult to control temperatures -- too hot in the summer (even with "venting") and too cold in the winter (little heaters heat uneveningly in such small houses). And, maybe more importantly, the small size doesn't allow for good placement of plants, enough space to actually grow anything in worthwhile quantity, and good traffic flow. They almost always quickly get stuffed with miscellaneous items just for storage. Along with spiderwebs and dust. With that said, get the biggest one that will fit your site. I've always told my gardening and design students that the minimum for even a "hobby" greenhouse is 14 by 21. That allows for side benches and a middle "work" table/bench. Use the greenhouse for seed germination (flowers, veggies, specialty plants, etc.). Move transplanted seedlings out to a tall coldframe to actually grow them on and harden them off. Grow tomato plants in the ground. There are hundreds of cool-season/short-season tomato cultivars that will do well in Sonoma. In a greenhouse, you'd have to grow them in small pots and tomatoes don't really like small pots. Grow lettuce outside in the winter and hose off those aphids. Lettuce grown in a greenhouse suffers tremendously from the occasional overly-hot winter day (compounded in the greenhouse). Grow some just-too-tropical plants that need a little winter protection and a little more heat than your summers provide: various orchids, bromeliads, epiphyllum, Eucharis, begonias, plumerias, and so much more. Joe...See MoreGarden Updates w/Pics
Comments (10)tlowery04 & esox07...the plastic I use I purchased from Wally World in the paint section. It is sold as plastic sheeting and is 4mil. It is 20'x25' for $25. They have some 6mil stuff there, but it is only like 15'x20'. I pieced it together last year using the 6mil, but noticed no difference between it and the 4mil. I replace it every year anyways. The kids somehow manage to put a hold in it every year and all it takes is a small hole and some wind and you have yourselves and tore up greenhouse! gardengal...I learned my lesson with how hot it gets in the greenhouse during the day. If you follow my blog at all, you can see how I changed the design of the greenhouse. I put a 2ft sidewall on it and once it gets warmer, I will attach windows of some sort all around the bottom 2ft of the sidewalls. This will allow adequate air flow keeping it cooler. I have a window and door that stays open, but even then, it managed to get 110+ in there without a problem. I am hoping I have solved the cooling issue in the greenhouse. I use mini Christmas lights as heat mats. They are a great cheap alternative to heating mats. I only use them on my seedings. Once most of the tray sprouts, it is taken off the lights and moved onto the rack under the lights. I have plenty of room in the basement for small starts, so I do not get real froggy about putting my seedlings in the greenhouse until the night time temps are above 50 degrees or so. Definitely excited about this years garden! Here is a link that might be useful: The Pepper Guy's Blog...See Moregreenhouse question
Comments (6)Google up "Hot Dawg" heaters. I've had a 36K BTU unit for three winters now, and it works great. Hang it as high as you can, and use some kind of fan system to keep the air moving around inside of the structure. The fan on the unit will blow hot air out to 25'. It also has an exhaust fan so you can run a horizontal chimney pipe. Whatever you do, be sure and ground your gas line to prevent lightning ground pulses. Mine is coupled to a 150 gallon propane tank. I keep my GH at 52 degrees, and in a cold Texas winter like last year, with many nights and days below freezing, I spent about $300 on propane, from mid-November to late March, or early April. The unit is 75 pounds and is a snap to install and hook up. Here's a pic. PM me if you want more info....See Morechickentimmy
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