Does Anyone Have a Homemade Greenhouse?

[EarlyPorsche]

As an avid gardener (is there a hobby I don't have?) I have always wanted a greenhouse. Nothing expensive but probably a little better than those plastic ones you slap together. My father is a big gardener so I was going to build him a greenhouse on top of his patio. It has a block wall and I was going to tie into that for 3 feet high and then the rest covered with single pane glass. Anyone have pictures of their installations?

[Tim Walsh]

My dad's built my mom one a couple years ago. basically it's a pole barn with clear polycarbonate walls. I don't think it cost much(relatively) and works well for her. Sorry no pictures today. I can post them this weekend if you're interested.

[legion]

Wife wants one on the next house.

I'm thinking a concrete pad on the south side of the house, with aluminum frame and glass. The house would be the fourth wall of the greenhouse.

[EarlyPorsche]

Yeah please post any pictures you may have.

I am thinking about using 4x4's or 6x6's or 4x6's to construct the bottom 3'-4' where he doesn't have a block wall (just regular non-cemented blocks). Then I will have 6x6 beams on the corners and regular old glass or maybe polycarbonate for the rest. The roof will just be some sort of frosted glass so it doesn't get too hot and only lean in one direction. I am thinking that then I can cover all wood on the outside with nice wood siding or even slate. Heat the inside over the winter with a small wood stove just to keep it warm and be cheap to heat. Hmmm, I am excited for this project.

[vash]

my friend has one. store bought. about $1400. it was easy to put together. i was there a couple of weeks ago, and it is hot as an oven in there. what is a greenhouse for anyways. starting seed in the winter? do they just sit empty during the hot season? his was empty.

his flooring was framed and filled with landscape rock. water drained great.

[EarlyPorsche]

Well when its cold outside and you have tropical plants or citrus you need a place to put them. Until now its been garage, basement, or inside. None of these places are entirely conducive to good growth nor is it rather enjoyable to see your plants get so frail over the winter. I think a large greenhouse is just what the doctor ordered.

[id10t]

My mom does one every year with some frame pieces (think big flimsy loops) and visqueen. Since we go from hot to cold to hot every few days, instead of moving plants, etc. she just flops the visqueen over to uncover everything when the temps warm, and flops it back over to cover when the cold hits.