Does anybody here have a greenhouse?

[2porscheguy]

We're interested in building a greenhouse and would like some info...pros&cons... from fellow PPOT members that own one. We're in a zone 3 so we have a very short growing season here in southern Alberta. Can you post some pics too if possible?

Thanks guys and gals!

....oh, and Merry Christmas to all of you too!

[pwd72s]

I used to...pro: Even an unheated greenhouse will extend a growing season.

Cons: Heating one can get expensive.

I'd suggest you pick up a copy of this:

https://www.amazon.com/Greenhouse-Gardening-Editors-Sunset-Magazine/dp/0376032634/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1482004346&sr=1-1&keywords=Sunset+Greenhouses

[2porscheguy]

Thanks pwd72s!

What happened to it?...just curious...

[Seahawk]

Even where we are, Zone 6/7, a lot of growers (especially the Amish and Mennonites) have green houses.

They are commercial growers but all the green houses have the same basic design of this residential version, just A LOT bigger:



They heat with wood stoves.

[1990C4S]

As a starting point you might look at the Lee Valley 'Cold Frame'.

They also have several books on the topic.

[wdfifteen]

A bit off topic but, I just noticed 1990C4S's sig line. Fantastic statement.

"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands."

[greglepore]

I have a Harbor Freight 9x12 unheated. Pretty much useless for anything but in season propagation, which is all that I use it for. As a season extender, better off with a coldframe, unless you can afford the propane to heat.

[wswartzwel]

I built a small 10x10 on the south side of my garden shed many years ago. Cement blocks laid on concrete footing 3 feet high, then wooden frame that attaches to the eaves on the south wall of the garden shed, covered in agriculture grade plastic. Dirt is mounded up against the outside of cement blocks and slopes about 6 feet from the greenhouse. This helps keep temperature stabilized. Never needed a heater as our local climate doesn't get that cold for very long. I used it to start plants in early spring back when I used to garden. Over time my interest faded, and now I use it as a solar kiln for drying hardwood lumber I cut on my friends sawmill for my woodworking hobby.

[HardDrive]

Does the closet with walls lined in tin foil I use to grow.....'spices'.....count?

[Tobra]

I never got any more complex than the ghetto rig, PVC and clear plastic to get the early start on my tomatoes.

Of course, where I live, people freak out if it gets close to freezing. I just hope it doesn't ruin the meager number tangerines that did not get hailed out at the bloom stage. The little golden nugget mandarin orange tree I gave Dad is rockin' this year, totally loaded.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

A bit off topic but, I just noticed 1990C4S's sig line. Fantastic statement.

"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands."

I stole that from a writer at The Globe and Mail. He was a mechanic, writer, pilot, etc. I liked it, I sort of live m life that way. I don't just 'buy stuff'.

[Les Paul]

I've had a 10x15 tempered glass aluminum frame for 3 years. I think more than anything it's the number of sunny days you have per year that makes it feasible. I live in the northern panhandle of Texas and surprisingly we have been in the teens, single digits, and below 0 this year. We have thermal curtains that retain the heat below the upper panels that can be opened and closed very easily. I have 20k btu gas heater. Gas is cheap here so it works well. We have the entire north side and ends with industrial size bubble wrap between panels, which acts as pretty decent insulation. Prior to this winter we had one panel that had slotted windows. We would tape over the window slots but it still leaked more than we realized. This year our heater kept kicking off due to low Oxygen. I ended up running a fresh air intake outside and have had no more problems. Winter is especially nice to hang out in the greenhouse with close to 100 plants. Humidity never goes below 50% so it's nice for the winter dry skin seasonal thing.

[Les Paul]

[Rickysa]

Affordable Greenhouses & Accessories | Turner Greenhouses

We got the "Biltmore" and have been very happy with it for years (zone 8)

[VincentVega]

That looks great. I like the idea of extending the season but worry about the thing during the winter. If its strong enough to support snow/ice its going to be huge. If not its going to have to be taken down and stored somewhere.

[Les Paul]

We have a couple of big snows each year. This one will hold 20+ wet snow.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I'm thinking one of those might be excellent to erect over my in-ground pool and make it 3-season with a little heat plus keep leaves and crap out of it...

Yea I know I said "erect". Huh huh huh...

[Les Paul]

Friend and I made hail screens for ours which also keeps branches from going through one of those panels. Each one is 170$