Small greenhouse advice?

jymbee · Mar 14, 2012

We always spend way to much $$$ for annual flowers and some veggie plants for our home and very large garden every year, and I'm determined to *finally* get around to setting up a small greenhouse this spring. Not interested in building from scratch but rather would like to find something pre-built.

Perhaps you have or know of a particular model that might be suitable? A lot of the models I come across on the net just seem too flimsy. Willing to pay a reasonable price for a unit of sufficient quality that will last awhile and withstand our winters here in upstate NY.

dmccarty · Mar 14, 2012

The company that makes DR Mowers sells green houses, DR Power Equipment - Greenhouses

FarmTek does as well, Agricultural Supplies, Fabric Structures, Equine Buildings, Grain Storage, Livestock Buildings from FarmTek

Edited: Farmtek has polycarbonate panels for windows/roofs on the website. I have not seen these in the catalog in a few years.

There are other places selling green houses that are really big dollars.

Later,
Dan

Jstpssng · Mar 14, 2012

jymbee said:
We always spend way to much $$$ for annual flowers and some veggie plants for our home and very large garden every year, and I'm determined to *finally* get around to setting up a small greenhouse this spring. Not interested in building from scratch but rather would like to find something pre-built.

Perhaps you have or know of a particular model that might be suitable? A lot of the models I come across on the net just seem too flimsy. Willing to pay a reasonable price for a unit of sufficient quality that will last awhile and withstand our winters here in upstate NY.

These look pretty good.
Patio Greenhouse, Hobby Greenhouses, Beginner Greenhouses, Mini Greenhouse, Easy Greenhouse Kits, Small Greenhouse, Backyard Greenhouse, Greenhouse Kits, Growing Rack, Cold Frames - Growers Supply

The year I built my place the local store replaced their big plate glass windows, so I grabbed them. The following year my neighbors bought a sawmill, so i had them saw out enough lumber so that I could build an 8x12 foot attached greenhouse.

That was in 2004, this year maybe I'll get it built.

dmccarty · Mar 14, 2012

Jstpssng said:
...

That was in 2004, this year maybe I'll get it built.

We must be related!

In 2004 I built a temporary well house. It is now 2012 and the temporary well house is still being used temporarily. :laughing:

The well house has been on hold while we got the water tested, tried to figure out how large we should build, design issues, checked out the building codes, got delayed by heath issues, lack of money and lack of time. Blah Blah Blah. :laughing:

What is funny and scary about this thread, is that a week or so back the idea hit me that why don't use the well house as a green house. All we would have to do is maybe increase the size a bit and add windows....

Not sure we will have time or money for the project this year so maybe in 2013.

Later,
Dan

JRobyn · Mar 14, 2012

Cotsco has a selection... Costco - Outdoor - Greenhouses ...

Don't know if any of these are any good, but being Costco, you could use it for one season and then return it if you didn't like it!

Taylortractornut · Mar 14, 2012

I made mine out of 1 and a half 13 foot trampoline frames. I took some fence top rails and used a 1.750 hole saw and cut out the center hoops leg pockets to a through hole for the rails to pass through. Then let the leg pockets cap each end. Ive used mine almost 3 years and still I had put my door in it when i t was new but tree fell and knoced it out. i just let the extra fabric cover the door.

Its 13 by 20 and with the Farmtek/Growers supply cover the cost of it all was 155 dollars.
http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr78/tumblebugtaylor/005.jpg
http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr78/tumblebugtaylor/006.jpg
http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr78/tumblebugtaylor/002.jpg

Later I will put it on 4 foot treated posts and use treat lumber around the bottom to make room for my new deigned grow beds with home built wood fired stove and water heater.

forgeblast · Mar 15, 2012

Nice use of the trampoline, looks real strong.

jymbee · Mar 16, 2012

JRobyn said:
Cotsco has a selection... Costco - Outdoor - Greenhouses ...

Don't know if any of these are any good, but being Costco, you could use it for one season and then return it if you didn't like it!

I'll have to take a look at the Costco offerings. They seem to get good reviews with the exception of the complaints I see from people saying the seals can be a real pain to install.

Thanks for the tip!

massy1635 · Mar 16, 2012

I think I can answer some of your questions, I have been in the greenhouse business for twenty years. Some of the first questions you need to answer is (1) How big of a greenhouse do you want? (2) Do you want to heat it? (3) How much money do you want to spend? (3) Will you be there through the day to care for it and water plants. It is more difficult to keep a greenhouse cool that warm. On a cold, clear sky, 20 degree day the tempature can climb to 100 degrees and more. You can feel a passing cloud. (4) It will need to be strong enough to stand the snow load. You will NEED to keep it clear of snow to prevent it from collapsing. The poly is strong enough to hold enough snow to collapse a steel frame greenhouse. You can build a very nice GH using framing lumber painted white. I did build a 24' X 36' fifteen years ago and it is still in very good condition.