This structure is on the property that we are purchasing and I would like to make it into a greenhouse. It's in the College Station Area (Zone 8b) and I'd like to use it to winter my plants.
Where's a good place to get plastic sheeting. Is that the best thing to do? What about a heater? Fans?
jorge
Jorge,
You may want to look locally first. I have bought a number of things from FarmTek.com including a 20' X 20' portable greenhouse kit. Many of their items have to be delivered by freight truck and with freight delivery, you have to have a way to unload it yourself. Charlie's greenhouse is another company I have ordered from, but they are pricey.
Do you plan to add to this structure? There a number of negative aspects to it as a greenhouse.
First. It is off the ground. Greenhouses need to be in contact with the ground to keep it warmer. Your structure would be surrounded by cold air and since cold air sinks, the coldest air would be underneath the floor. That chill would be transmitted to the pots.
Second. It it very long and narrow exposing more surface area to the outside temperatures. Keeping it evenly warm would be a challenge.
I can't tell from the photo whether the area under the bridge is lower than or level with the surrounding area. Either way, you could turn this structure into a focal point in your garden with a little renovation and paint. This would make a wonderful rose or vine arbor and bridge linking one section of the garden to another. The areas on either side of the bridge could contain small ponds and garden rooms that can best be viewed from the bridge or only from the bridge.
My husband gave me the greenhouse for Christmas last year to winter my potted citrus collection. He built a stand for a propane heater and vented it out one of the side walls. I've been very happy with it. This fall, he added a paver floor to it as I've been having a problem with Bermuda grass in it. The greenhouse I have has side walls that can be rolled up on a hot day so I haven't had a need for a fan. I live about 90 miles south southwest from College Station. I also have a smaller greenhouse built with polycarbonate sheets. That one has to have a swamp cooler and fan to keep it cool. I keep it warm in the winter with a small electric heater but I worry about a power failure.
Veronica
Great advice. I see what you mean about the "off the ground". I'll have to think about that. Maybe you are right about the focal point idea.
Thanks for the advice.
jorge
Jorge, I don't have a greenhouse, but what Veronica is saying does make sense. You may waste more money in trying to make that structure adapt than if you bought one of the cheaper GHs than are on the market now days. It would make a super structural foundation to a garden, with a pond maybe?? :-)
Since you are in College Station, is it a definate you will be at the Statewide swap in April? Meet you then if so, if not check that thread out!
Sheila
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be there. I would not be very happy if I missed it. Especially if Dave's gonna be there :)
jorge
When we decided to buy a greenhouse I wanted one that looked like a little cottage, but since DH would be doing the building, I let him decide. He decided on a glass greenhouse from Texas Greenhouses. It came as a kit and we put it together in about 3-4 days I think. It did require a cement beam foundation and we put gravel in for a floor. It's been wonderful to have, I only wish it were bigger. It has an electric heater and thermostatically controlled vents and exhaust fan for warm afternoons. In the summer, we unplug the vent system. It came on a freight truck and the driver was surprised that there was no one to unload it. Just li'l ole me. But he was very nice and unloaded it. He did tell me that it was the first one he ever delivered to a private residence. Not sure what that means.
What she said about the focal point is right on target. I don't know how close this is to your house, but most gardeners would give their eye-teeth for a structure like that to build around.
This message was edited Nov 19, 2005 7:48 PM
It's really cute. I'm excited. It's maybe 100 feet from the back of the house and viewed very nicely from all the windows in the sunroom.
jorge
Jorge-
I seem to be against the crowd here, but I think you could at least try it for a season.
We wrap our porch in plastic and have gas heater hooked up.
Over the years we've added different things(gas heater, multiple ceiling fans, clear polycarbonate roofing, etc.), but originally, all we did was buy some plastic and staples!
Even without a heater, you could manage to over winter a lot of things just from the frost free conditions the plastic would provide. As for the space under the structure, you could buy just a little lumber and "frame out the bottom", so you have something to staple the plastic to, all the way down. In Spring, you could disassemble this part, and store the wood for next season. Then you'd have your structure back, to plant vines on during the summer.
If you staple on either side of the boards, you'll have an air space inside of the walls. This will help insulate it better than a single layer.
You can get 6 mil plastic at Home Depot for around $20 a roll. It is in the paint section.
For a nominal amount of money you could certainly have a deluxe cold frame, and if you heat it, a greenhouse.
Just my opinion...
The only concern I might have is that you may damage or stain the wood floor from pots and watering...
-T
Well, right on. Thanks seedpicker, that sounds great. What to do. Fun.
jorge
Hi jorge,
I have been "putting up" temporary greenhouses for about 10 yrs. I looked at greenhouses on the internet and found the cost prohibitive. I do upholstery in Austin, so I set out to upholster me a greenhouse. The first attempt was done with 20mil auto window plastic(54"width) that was quite pricey $10 yd.I spent about $150 and enclosed my entire back porch complete with a velcro on door.I do not recommend stick on velcro, it got pretty yucky in the summer. The plastic or clear vinyl lasted for maybe 5-6 winters. I wish I had known about the double layering of the plastic back then. I took it down each spring.
If you should decide to cover your structure, Walmart has 54" wide plastic. I bought heavy mil there 2 yrs ago for $3.50 per yd.My current stucture is a lean to on the back of my house made of 3/4" PVC,3ft rebar, clear plastic and 2"pinch clamps for the doors. After I figured out the height I sewed the widths of plastic together for the walls and included a loop of fabric (like a tent) on the inside for threading the pvc through. .Sewing a separate piece of heavy duty outdoor fabric to the tops of your wall panels is helpful. The staples tend to cut through the plastic. I staple a thin piece of wood all along the top of the fabric strip then roll that over once and fasten to the eave of the house with 4 wood screws.The pvc is then fed up through my loops and the bottoms are fed onto the rebar I've hammered into the ground.Finally I pinch clamp the ends on.
TIPS- use galvanized fasteners, allow extra for top and bottom of walls (its easier to cut off than add on), When stapling the plastic to the structure use a 1/2" cardboard strip in between your staples and the plastic. That will save you some major wear and tear,
Good luck,
cindyy
Cindyy,
That sounds like a method I might like to tackle. Do you have any pictures of the process, and finished product?
Sheila
Cindy,
Ditto!
I would love to see pictures of all your greenhouses. They all sound interesting.
Siggy
Yes, me too. How about it you guys?
Excited, but nothing yet. I'll post pictures when I get working on it.
I'm looking forward to seeing your greenhouses too.
Thanks for all the advise.
jorge
