Simply Solar / Solar Prism Greenhouse

Hi,

I am thinking about buying a Simply solar / solar prism greenhouse. I have read some negative reviews but most seem to be about customer service from when the company was based in OR - it is my understanding is now under new ownership in MO. I live in NC, sometimes we experience high winds in our area. I like the idea of a one piece design that they install and the 10 year warranty seems nice. I would like to grow veggies year round in it. I am intersted in functionality, durability, and ease of use - esthetics are obviously not a primary concern! Any and all comments welcome.

Thanks a Bunch!

Here's a link for a picture: http://www.simplysolargreenhouses.com/greenhouses.html

I've never seen this before now, it sure would be air tight when closed up in the winter.

Very different looking. I like the idea of no assembly needed.

I have one of these that I bought used. I know I'm at least the 3rd owner but no telling how old it is. It's something like 10 x 16 which I don't see offered on their list.

It's wonderful and I've never regretted it for a moment. It is wind proof because it's been through 2 hurricanes here. It has a lip or flange on the inside edge that is covered with a couple inches of soil. It has a couple inches of soil around the outside too and the wind can't get hold of it. It also closes tightly and it takes very little to heat it. It has a large window opposite the door and the door has a large panel that opens, plus 2 good size roof hatches. Lots of ventilation although I don't use it in the summer. I don't have the power ventilator.

2 men can pick it up and move it. It's very important to pack the soil under the edges because settling over time can cause the door not to shut tightly. I would recommend this brand although the new price is a bit steep.

I love the thought of this one, price is a barrier for me now but certainly something to consider & save up for. Thanks for the info.

Very interesting! Twiggy, do your plants get enough sun ? Seems like the milkiness of the plastic would block some - ?

Edited to say: Ooops - I mean fiberglass, not plastic!

This message was edited Aug 10, 2009 9:52 PM

twiggiebuds, this may be an option for me after all. Can you tell me more?

Mebanite, did you end up getting one?

I was a bit concerned about the level of light going into the season because the fiberglass appears quite yellowed and there is some algae growing on the north side. I was overcome with the urge to start plants early and started using it before I got it cleaned. I'm planning to load up my garden sprayer with a strong bleach solution to take care of the algae.

I had it loaded out with mostly peppers and tomatoes and everyone stood straight as though they were getting all the light they needed. Prism is part of the name and maybe it means there's a lot of light refraction. The man I bought it from bought it used and had it for at least 8-10 years and I got it in 2000. He had it in the shade of a monstrous live oak tree because he played with house plants. Some of the discoloration may be tannin from the oak tree.

The earth floor is slightly graded on the inside to drain well. I have it covered with black plastic sheeting and that also serves to hold more heat in the winter. I don't use it in the summer.

There is nothing on it to rot. It appears shatterproof and fireproof. I came home one day and nearly had a heart attack to see firetrucks out on the street. The neighbor had let a grass fire get loose and the fire was right up to the back side of my greenhouse. No problem.

Most years it doesn't get cold enough here to need heat. A couple times I've made a tent with clear plastic sheeting to cover the most tender seedlings and used a single 100W bulb to give enough heat. The design would be easy to cover with bubble wrap in colder climates.

This is the only greenhouse I've ever owned and I can't fault it at all. I would never have afforded it at new prices but haven't done any comparison with other brands. The one piece construction is a big plus IMHO.

I'm wondering how hot it gets inside? One of the advantages to my hoop house is that I'm able to raise the sides and get quite a bit of ventilation that way, not that it helps when it's not very warm out....

how is the upkeep on your hoop house? I don't think I can replace the plastic or add another layer as often as needed, my only drawback on a hoop house. I'm too old & clumsy to think about getting on a ladder.

I always try to go out and open the door and the large vent on the opposite end by 9AM on sunny days. On the nights above freezing, I close the vent and leave the door open. I don't know how hot it gets but it does really steam in there when it's closed. I was able to set out tomatoes without much hardening if any.

I'm in need of a hoop house for shade cloth. I would get an additional month out of my tomatoes if I could keep the sun from baking them. I'm also trying to figure out what to do for row cover frames this year to extend my fall and get an earlier start on spring stuff. I've just about figured the only way to avoid the squash borers is to plant early and late. It seems to me that our weather is getting crazier every year with late frosts and freak early ones I keep telling myself that these toys will save me money in the long run.

So far, upkeep has been nothing, but I only got my hoop house last spring. You don't actually have to get on a ladder to put the plastic on, you roll it up and throw it over - kinda like putting a sheet on a king size bed. Assuming that you get actual greenhouse film, it only has to be replaced every 4-5 years. Something worth hiring a couple tall teenagers to do (it's about that difficult).

I need to get shade cloth for mine, too - but there's a couple of other things I need first - like a BIG fan. I'm kinda limping along with a construction one from Lowes and last spring I really paid for it in botrytis. Killed a lot of plants.