Greenhouses

[Crowbob]

Anybody here have any experience with those polycarbonate/aluminum greenhouses that you put together, specifically quality, durability and recommendation insights?

[ckelly78z]

My covid project last year was this greenhouse.

https://www.instructables.com/DIY-GreenHouse-Build-Solid-Structure/

I built it out to 16"x12'. and we love it/ It has the polycarbonate panels on a barn style hip roof, which are virtually indestructable. The remainder is stick built with painted 2x4s, and 2x6s.

[Crowbob]

Thank you Kelly!

Much appreciated.

[greglepore]

I have a Palram. Its their hybrid model, with single pane walls and twinwall roof. 3 years old, and just survived a move. Surprisingly durable for around 5-700 bucks-mine was an Amazon return and a little less than that.
The biggest thing with these small greenhouses if finding a decent source of heat. I have an obsolete aluminum 20000 btu heater that had to rebuilt with a new millivolt valve, but it does great. A Mr. Heater 20 or 30k would work, but it doesn't have a pilot and uses batteries for electronic ignition. In any case, you need to pipe to a real lp tank, as the 20lbs are on good for 72 hrs runtime.
I use mine with a homemade mist system for propagation in the summer and tropical storage in winter. Requires a heated hose run from either an interior source or a frost free hose bib, seems the heated hose radiates enough hot water to keep valve from freezing.
Had a hf one before, junk.

[varmint]

We moved in six years ago now. My wife pointed at the neighbor’s greenhouse and said she wanted one just like it. New people bought the neighbors house last month. And we finally got it.

Am going to have many greenhouse questions next spring.

[chrismorse]

I just helped one of my clients, (been a contractor for 30+ years) build and finish a pre-cut canadian cedar greenhouse,

One of the most important things you can do to ease the construction is to have a good FLAT and LEVEL platform to build it on. We cut into the sloped lawn area, made a level earth area, layed down weed cloth, then dug holes for concrete to support simpson ties, to support a pressure treated frame. We leveled the frame, and poured concrete into the holes, let it set, then back filled the frame with gravel and screwed down the trex decking to give a good floor. We als retained the soil with a low pressure treated retaining wall, held in place with concrete stakes - durable.

We then prefinished all of the pieces for the wood frame and walls, erected the frame, installed the poly carbonate roof panels with "Weathermaster" clear caulking. The supplied "dynaflex" was slow to set andleft white puddles, after a dewy evening.

You might consider trenching over to the building site to bring in water, for an internal sink and an external hose bib.

We also brought in a 20 amp circuit fo provide evening lighting and GFCI protected outlets.

I think of this as an outdoor iving room with a sink and an oversized flower bed, growing tomatoes and poopers,

My good friends are happy,
me to, chris

pics shortly

[Crowbob]

Thanks, Greg.

Here in semi-permafrostland I have zero intention of heating the thing over winter unless I survive getting run over by a municipal bus and get rich. Greenhouse is winning over a cold frame because sometimes our calendars lie in the winter and try to tell us its spring. And the snow. Don't forget the snow. A commercial greenhouse seems sturdy enough. I see the on-line Farm-Tec catalog has lots of info.

[Crowbob]

I'm thinking greenhouse, not greenmansion but pics will be interesting nevertheless, Chris. Thanks!

[MBAtarga]

In terms of the pre-fab kits from a well known chinese tool importer - I've seen the spoof ad for that product. I'd recommend a google search of any mfr product you're considering.

[Crowbob]

I didn't know Costco had greenhouses.

[ckelly78z]

One of the better ideas we implemented is spreading smooth river stones over a weed matt in the walkways to keep the weeds down. We also had to utilize a shade cloth during the Summer to keep the heat down inside. We keep a small fan running, and both window screens open to help with mid-Summer heat.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I didn't know Costco had greenhouses.

The Harmony is their name for the one I have, the starter kit is nice. I bought the automatic vent opener as an addition when I got mine. Check Amazon for returns, they vet them well for all the parts and you can save significantly.

[Tobra]

I would be able to heat a little greenhouse here adequately with a light bulb.

Lucky they can't screw up the weather