Beginner Gardening: Greenhouse Plans for the Financially Challenged Gardener, 1 by shadowgirl

shadowgirl wrote:
Greetings,
It was suggested to me by a friend on my home forum, Midsouth Gardening, that my greenhouse plans might be something folks over here would want to see. These plans were developed by myself and DH. Building this GH is fairly simple but you should be able to operate at least a circular saw and basic power tools unless you don't mind using hand tools.

The 4" x 4" posts are the main supports and set in concrete or if someone wants to they can bolt together railroad ties as a base and sit the GH on a solid surface like a patio. The floor can be dirt or you can install several french drains for drainage, cover with landscape fabric and then a layer of river rocks. Dark rocks would asborb heat during the day and help with heating costs. I live in 7b so just one layer of plastic is adequate. Cooler climates might want to add an inner layer of bubble wrap and an inner layer of plastic over that is even possible. These plans do not include any instructions regarding electrical sources for lighting, fans or heat.

The site of your greenhouse is important for several reasons:
1. The GH is fairly sturdy but protection from wind is something to consider and saves on heating costs.
2. My GH is located at the same end of the house with my natural gas HVAC unit. The unit vents hot exhaust when the heat is running that warms the air in the area the GH is sitting and creates a micro-climate. My new GH will be in the same area so running a gas line for heat will be easy and inexpensive.
3. On those cold winter nights it is easy to access with a sidewalk to it and plenty of light.
4. Having water close is a concideration for obvious reasons.

The picture is of my present structure. It was meant to be for just one winter but so far this winter is its third. The GH plans provided are for a more permanent structure. But this picture gives an idea on the site and how the GH it looks.

Loretta