This should Part 3 to complete my beautiful new Sunshine Gardenhouse.
See the link for the past stories.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/696216/
As you can see in the picture, I have a very pretty ceramic sunflower to hang up. The basket I got at a yard and garden show last weekend for just $5. Am not sure on what to do with it yet but may line it and put a couple geraniums in it.
Carol
Here you see the hole to hang it up.
If I hang it up outside the greenhouse, I worry about it blowing in the wind. Any suggestions on how to really secure it to the wood wall outside so it won't get blown off?
This sunflower is rather special. It was my Mom's (an old friend had made it for her) and she gave it to me like a greenhouse warming present, LOL
The last couple days after work, I have been sowing some seeds finally!!!
Got tomatoes and cucumbers along with some dahlias, snapdragons (those are the nice green leaves in the pots, from wintersowing), petunias, lobelias, etc. Is so exciting to get back to growing some plants.
I don't have the heart to put the flats/pots on the nice redwood yet, so am using the wire shelving, LOL
Aren't you done yet - it's like summer there already!
So what are you growing in there?
Here is a close-up of the pots.
My potting bench with the new peg board all set up. For 50 cents, what a bargain I got. It is so handy! Great place to hang tools.
LOL, Al. As you know, you are never done maintenance with houses, including greenhouse, LOL
As said above for seeds planted, I also have some cat mint, catnip (for the kitties), some different basils, and some salvias. Have more dahlia seeds to try too.
Still haven't finished the 8' bench yet. Was anxious to get some seeds going so started to do those first.
Will work on that bench this weekend. Still am not happy with how I am doing it so that is one reason it isn't done yet. Need a real carpenter to do it for me, LOL
Good for you Daisy,
Looks really nice. Love the wood, warm & happy looking.
That potting bench looks really handy also & has given me some ideas.
Take care,
Paul
Thanks, Paul. Yes, the wood does make things warmer. Never have thought of it that way but it sure does. Maybe that is why I just love wood!
Am glad that I can be of help to you, LOL, on ideas. Everyone here can learn a little tip from someone or thing.
I will say that the ceramic sunflower will have to be taken in during the freezing weather (winter time) tho, so that is why it is kind of hard to figure out how to hang it for the good weather times.
Hahaha ! I hear ya Carol. I don't have the heart to set dirty my cedar benche. I chose the treated for the main "U" benches so I can set the big dirty leaky hole in the bottom pots and water them not caring if they get dirty or wet. The one where the sink is I am constantly brushing or blowing off off every speck that lands on it because it's cedar and looks so lovely. :)
Looking great in there!
I would use some nylon rope and make a simple loop with a square knot. Like a rubber band, but with a whole lot less stretch. The pass the loop through either the small or large hole and through itself. Now you have a way to hang it. Secure a hook or eyebolt into one of the GH frame members to hang the rope on. To secure it from the wind, use a bungie cord from the bottom of the big hole to another eyebolt mounted low in the same frame member. That should keep it taught, but allow some movement. If you wanted to triangulate it place a couple of bungie cords at 60 -90 degrees from each other to the next frame member on either side of the initial one.
You could use stainless or galvanized wire, but thought the rope would not be as stressful on the ceramic.
It would be easy to remove, but would be great looking outside.
Is it very heavy?
Another way, would be to mount a short post slightly smaller than the diameter of the large hole with a lip attached that would fit inside. An elipse cut from a 1x4 attached to a 3-4" length of landscape timber.
LOL Yep, I know what you mean. Need to keep that redwood clean and looking good! Don't let anything touch it, LOL We are crazy but...................it looks so good so.......................
Bubba, you have some great ideas there. Thanks! The sunflower isn't that heavy at all so that is why I worry about it getting knocked around by the wind.
Looks good Carol. What is the coldest it would get in there over winter do you think? Ya gotta have a bench.
You know, Al, I really don't know and won't until next winter. But I will say, so far, the temps. inside has been quite close to the outside temps so far. This is due to the greenhouse not being sealed up, both with no silicon (sp?) and the greenhouse isn't square, unfortunately.
This summer when it is dry, I or my son will be siliconing the seams at least on the top to keep the rain out and maybe on the side walls. One of the dutch doors has a huge gap on the bottom and fairly large gap on the top of the door.
Plus I am still learning on how to use the automatic vent. Tho in the wintertime, I will remove that wax black cylinder so the vent can't open up at all.
I can't afford to heat the greenhouse. So most all my plants will have to be hardy. And a lot of them already are. Like geraniums, fushias, etc. I would love to have some tropical plants for summer time and then overwinter them in the greenhouse but................
Hi Daisy,
I was thinking some sort of double hook for your sunflower. One that is coated with plastic to protect the ceramic.. or, if you find one you like you can always find some flexible plastic tubing to slide over the hook. Any store that sells aquarium supplies should have air tubing that should work.
For your gaps in the doors perhaps you could get some of that flexible foam or rubber that they use to insulate doors. depending on which way your doors open you can attach it to either the door itself or the frame.
It all looks really great!
Jazz, I was just thinking today on what to use to hang up the sunflower. I actually have 2 sunflowers to hang up. My neighbor gave me one for my birthday last year (I need to paint it tho, was unfinished, got some paint today to do it). I was thinking of finding some nylon rope maybe to use to make a hook with the rope and then hook that rope onto a strong metal hook. I may hang them inside the greenhouse tho. I really worry about the wind here in the NW.
Hum, for the gaps, good idea. I could use some of that gray foam or like that. The problem is the greenhouse isn't totally level so...............the door doesn't close properly so am not sure on how to put some foam there. I may just have to rest it against the door stops.
Down on the bottom, I could use like those rubber piece on regular doors or even garage doors.
I did get some lights hung up in the greenhouse last nite. I was out there at like 10 pm. It was kind of warm, 60 degrees, last nite so it was kind of cool to be out there. Had bought some fluorescent lights from Big Lots for cheap! Will take a picture to show you all tomorrow. Hung them up with some cup hooks from my dad's workshop stash.
Tomorrow it is to rain so I think I will spend the day inside my nice greenhouse and finish that 8' long bench!!! I keep using the slats for putting things on and since they aren't nailed down, everything including the cat keeps falling on the floor, LOL
I got some seed germination already. Just 6 days for geraniums!!! Was kind of excited to see that. The new greenhouse must be good! LOL
Carol
I finished it! I finished it! I finished it today finally!!!
Got the 8' long redwood bench done today. It actually wasn't a bad day so worked in the yard for a bit and then it was sunny in the greenhouse. So started to work in there. Was 60' degrees at the starting time and then it got up to like 80' degrees. I kept the door closed to enjoy the heat, LOL
But as you can see in the picture, that bench is totally done.
Now don't make fun of my newly makeshift legs but they do work.
I had gotten more metal brackets to try to hold up the 2 x 6's and it seems to work.
I got most of the legs done when my 19 year old son came to see what I was doing. He helped me finished them up and put more nails in to reinforce the top to the lengthwise (crosswise) 2 x 4's.
I know it looks kind of tacky but you really don't see all this once the bench slats are in place and the potting bench is in place.
But the legs seem to be quite strong so.................
Here is a close-up of the slats. This side has a larger gap between than the 12' long bench. I didn't like all the cedar slats at the end with the potting bench so I eliminated one of them by making larger slats gaps. I am okay with this.
This clock was from my dad's workshop and had it in my garage. I decided to use it out here in the greenhouse since I have another clock for the garage. It is kind of memory for my dad since he loved to spend hours in his workshop making things. Now need to figure out where to hang it. It is a real saw blade and quite heavy. If it ever falls, it will do good damage with those sharp edges, LOL
The thermometer is handy with the remote inside in my kitchen. So I can see what the temp. will be at times.
I put another set of legs on the 12' bench. It wasn't that sturdy with being 12' long so.....
Used a piece of cedar I got from HD in the cull section. Paid 50 cents for that 3' long piece. Very nice wood. It is the right side back wall piece. If you can see, it was/is a 2 x 6 piece and I cut a notch in it to fit the 2 x 4 metal bracket, LOL
Now that side is very, very strong. Am going to make another set of legs for the 8' bench, I think. Will look at HD again for more wood!
Here is a picture of the lights.
I ended up buying at Big Lots some fluorescent lights for a good price. They connect together so that is kind of cool. Have an extension cord outside the door to attach to an extension cord inside the greenhouse. Would love real electricty but.................nah, maybe when I get rich, LOL
The lights aren't the brightest things, but will do.
So this week, I hope to work on transplanting some seedlings into larger pots already, plant some more plants in the yard, to put up some more things in the greenhouse, put some plants into some hanging baskets, and want to get the walkway outside the greenhouse done too. Have some brick and sand pathway work still to do.
So slowly and I mean slowly, things are getting done.......................
I am thoroughly enjoying having this greenhouse tho. It is so much fun working inside it when it rains!
Hey Carol,
It looks like you have been doing a lot of work in your GH to make it work just right for you. You've done an exceptional job on those legs. phit phew !! lol They look sturdy and nice.
The inside looks like you've had this for a long time. You've got it lookin used already, not so new. lol It's fun to make it 'your' hangout with all the added pieces from your loving father and from the other GH. I would put that wonderful clock right behind your wood slat bench, about eye level, then if it did fall, it wouldn't go too far or hurt you or anything important. Looking good !!!
I'm enoying my new GH too. I just wish I go work in there like you can. I have to pot things up outside on a bench or in the kitchen and just place it on my shelves in the GH. I'm not complaining mind you, just making a comment. ;-) I'm also not having very much luck with my seeds again this year. I've done everything that has been said, and still no germination. boo hoo.
I wish you continued enjoyment with your GH,
Donna
Hi Donna, thanks for your comments. And your good idea for the clock.
Am glad you are enjoying your greenhouse tho. They always so you want a larger one once you get it and I can imagine you feel that way too. So far, the size is what I wanted. I did splurge for a larger size (was going to just do the 6' x 8' one) but sure glad I did.
You need to post more pics of your greenhouse tho. I want to see it more, LOL
As for the seeds not germing??? What seeds are they? Is it too warm?
Can I help? Let me know. The past few years, I have gotten better and better at knowing how to get them to germ.
Carol
Well, got a great deal this weekend at the discount humane for habitat place!
I had looked at the white coated metal shelving there and was debating on whether to buy them. They were only 50 cents/ lin. ft. So I decided, sure, why not?
So I got 3 @ 3 1/2' long and 2 @ 4' long pieces. The gal ringing up the sale didn't want to figure out the 50 cents x it all, so she asked me if I would like all of them for a total of $2! So I said sure!!!
Got about 20' long worth of shelving for 2 bucks when the new price is like $12-20 each!!!
All the pieces were in great shape.
So I felt good on getting such a good deal!
But of course, ended up spending $20 on the brackets to hold the darn things up at HD, LOL
The discount store didn't have any of those unfortunately.
As you can see, got one shelf up today.
I will say this tho. It sure is hard to do this all by yourself! My son was working all day and then he came home and took off again before I could beg for his help, LOL
So trying to hold up the shelf with the brackets and wall clips was a doozy. I ended up just doing it and hoped for the best.
This is above the 8' bench side. Figure I would start there first in case I make any big boo-boos. The white shelves are 12" wide. They are a bit higher than what I want since I am only 5' tall, but had to make do where the wood pieces were to attach to.
Edited to correct the spelling of "shelf", duh!
This message was edited Apr 1, 2007 11:28 PM
Here is an overall picture tho a little dark of that first metal shelf
Note my hooks for my watering can and my sweatshirt. Just used an over the door hook. Haven't figured out where to put the nail/hook in the wall yet, LOL
Got more seeds started on the right hand side.
I was going to stop at the first white metal shelf but decided since I finally figured out how to put them up, might as well do another one before it gets too dark (and before I get too frustrated! LOL).
So here are the 2 shelves. Am taking the pic from on top of a footstool to show the shelves better.
Please don't notice that the shelves don't match. Plus that the shelves don't meet/connect right. I ended up putting up the wall clips just a hair too high. Oh, well.................................
They are sturdy and that is all that matters, LOL Seem quite strong really.
Am not going to put real heavy pots up there. Just for lighter weight things.
Next will be the 12' bench shelving. That will take longer.
I want to put some more shelving underneath at least one of the benches. Am not sure how much since I need to leave room for larger plants to overwinter in there.
Then I still need to put another leg underneath the 8' bench.
Then I think most things will be done inside the greenhouse.
I need to get the outside done soon tho.
I still need to put another row of bricks on both ends of the greenhouse so I can have more of a walkway instead of stepping out right onto only 1/2 of the last brick. Am about to twist my ankle, LOL
Later, Carol
Edited for spelling.
This message was edited Apr 1, 2007 11:33 PM
Got the 12' long bench side done with more white metal shelving. Was a little bit more challenging to do with them not fitting just right. A bit too long. Had my son grind off about 1/2" of one shelve. What is funny is I asked him to cut it off and he just goes and gets his grinder. I would have thought he would have used a hack saw but no, kids like their power tools, LOL
As you can see, the last shelf on the right needs the white braces. Ran out of them. Need 3 more. Plus I can't find any more screws that would work so have to head to HD today to get some more. Out of all the screws my dad had, none will fit. Darn!
This is what it looks like from afar.
As you can see, it is getting full up already, LOL
This pic is from the other end.
I really like the wire shelving tho. I was going to use solid pieces but now I can have light if needed to the below plants/seedlings, etc.
Ok, last pic for the day.
This shows the flats/seedlings above the 8' long bench. My tomatoes are in the most left front of the shelf. The seeds are coming up just fine.
I also finished the leg support below the 8' long bench too with a 2 x 4 and metal braces like the 12' long bench. Is very sturdy now. Am glad I braced it up more.
Now to get some of the hanging baskets up. Need to brace the cross beam more tho to hold the heavy soil weight.
Then onto the outside walkway. Have been putting that off due to wanting to get seeds started, get plants put in the ground now, and general gardening work.
Work in a greenhouse is never ending just like a regular house, LOL
LOL Carol-- it looks like you need to get another greenhouse! Hey I still have those lily seedlings if you are still interested. I just moved them into a larger container.
Oh my goodness, one greenhouse is enough for me!
But I will agree. They sure fill up fast!
You need to come on over and see it in person!
Then you can bring me my lilies! LOL I was thinking about lilies the other day, remembering that you said you had some for me. So plan a time to see it and me, LOL
Carol
Congrads! I know you will enjoy the greenhouse:) just adds to the addiction of the garden.
Use mine now for more than just seed starting. Storage of pond plants, starting seeds, starting the iris and daylily seeds, hanging baskets, storage. You name it...
What did you do for the flooring? sorry cannot tell
Happy for you...enjoy and grow every seed you can find.
Denise
Hi, Denise. Connie (Pandilum sp?) and I were just talking about you today, LOL She came over to give me some of her lilies seeds and to look at my greenhouse and we were talking about the OR DG people.
If you go back to my first thread you will see what I had done with the floor.
But I got paving blocks. They are 12 x 12 x 2 ones. They are great. I love them. I am really glad I decided to do that.
I had gotten some of them at the Habitat for Humanity for cheap cheap price. Then I bought the rest. So the floor cost me $90 but it is worth it!
Yes, greenhouses are great!!! I am wondering how I got along without such a nice one before. Thanks for your nice comments.
Carol
I want to thank Daisyruffles for all of the threads and post related to the Sunshine Gardenhouse. It was invaluable to me. I am installing mine on a deck that is eight feet in the air. I will be starting a thread soon showing how I accomplished this by insulating the floor and adding floor drains. I looked far and wide for information on how to accomplish this, and found nothing. So hopefully my experiences will help others the way that Daisyruffles experiences helped me.
I also want to add that anyone purchasing this greenhouse make sure that you account for all the parts before beginning construction. I was an overly enthusiastic idiot, and started constuction without checking every box. I am missing both upper triangle pieces that form the gable ends. I simply could not believe it. It is a Memorial Day Weekend and there is simply nothing that can be done about it. I braced what I have already put up and will call the company first thing Tuesday morning. I am hoping that they can send it to me two-day-air. I would even be willing to pay for it. So I repeat - Do not start this greenhouse before making sure you have all the parts! If I had listened more strongly to Daisyruffles missing pieces tale, I would not have started the greenhouse first.
Hoya_24,
Am so sorry to hear you have missing parts too.
I am surprise to hear that those triangle pieces are missing. Those are some very important pieces!
I even have one here at my house since they sent me an extra one. I had complained about the huge gap on the top and the new one they sent had even a bigger gap so that part is just sitting in the garage.
Yes, by me staining the parts helped me inventory the pieces. But of course as you have read above, I ended up without a piece too.
It is very hard to really inventory since you really don't know the greenhouse but everyone should try at least. Hope they do send you the piece missing right away.
I would sent an email right today! If there is a number to call, call and leave a message on the answering machine right now too!
I hope the panels you have up will hold up. If you have wind........................watch out.....................I would hate to see it blow down or break any of your connections so far!!!
Do not offer to pay for extra shipping!!! They are to send it to you free!!! It is their fault for not sending you the right part!
Who did you buy it from? If from another company than the actual Sunshine Gardenhouse, you want to contact them to put pressure on the main company to get the right part!
Do start a thread with your greenhouse. I would love to see how you did it all!!!
Any more questions, just ask away!
Good luck! You will love it tho once it gets done. I really, really do!
Carol
Yes, Carol it was frustrating to be missing two such important parts. The Sunshine folks must have really been in a hurry the day they put that box together. They need to have some kind of system in place where they can double check the order. Even if they used a scale - each box has to weigh a certain amount or something is missing. In my case, it definitely would have shown up.
I would have noticed the missing pieces if I would not have been in such a hurry or too lazy to stain the wood - I love how yours turned out, but I'm an instant gratification kind of guy. I ordered the Gardenhouse (the 6X8 model) from ACF Greenhouses online. I bought it from them because they included free shipping, a free heater, free mininum maximum thermometer, and a free cordless drill. They definitely did their part, and I don't blame them at all. Even though I live more than 3,000 miles away,they got the order right out and I had everything within a week. I'm afraid all the fault resides with the Sunshine folks. I don't think that it matters where you buy your Gardenhouse; it is all shipped from the factory in Washington. I guess I will start with with ACF and ask them if I should contact Sunshine direct or go through them. I know that I should not have to pay for the shipping, but if it means I will get the parts this week as opposed to the following week, I will pay the difference for expedited shipping.
Doug
Doug, I would call/email the Sunshine people too. Not just ACF guys. I did that with my problems and it was taken care of faster, I think.
Weight for making sure the boxes are full is a great idea.
My inventory list was checked off but I didn't understand the pieces so..................that is why I didn't know what was missing.
I was going to get all those goodies too but I was a special case with wanting 2 dutch doors so didn't know if ACF would have done it.
Word of advice tho. Just make sure the site is level or the doors/door won't shut easily. That was my big mistake. I thought it was level but..............not perfect and with wood, you need it to be level since the wood shrinks/swells with the temp. changes.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes and post lots of pics!
Carol
