greenhouse ideas

[MAK]

Hello fellow swappers, its fixin to get chilly where I am at and I need to get a greenhouse or something going. Looked online and found some really expensive buildings that weren't too impressive. I am looking for ideas on building my own. Help me save all my new cool plants, please - I beg.

[zuzu's petals]

My hubby and I built ours using tempered glass panels recycled from old sliding glass doors.



We got the panels from a local salvage place for $5 per.
It took 17 panels (including 6 for the roof) to construct a 12x12 unit with good, solid wood framing.

And thank goodness it IS sturdy!
A few years ago, hurricane Charlie tipped a 50 foot Hickory tree onto the corner of my glasshouse,
we had to replace 2 panels of glass in the roof, but otherwise the structure stood,
and protected my collection of orchids, which were inside at the time.

In the winter, which can get pretty danged nippy here,
we line the inside with 2 mil plastic sheeting and put an oil-filled, electric radiator inside
for supplemental (night-time) heat, my babies like to stay nice and toasty.
Even in the coldest months, we usually have to use the ventilation fan on sunny days,
or it will get so hot that many plants would be damaged.

[MAK]

Yal did a great job. The pictures are especially helpful. Thank you for the quick reply, I really do want to get started on this asap. I will let you know how it turns out.

[txbeyer]

I have a page on my website about hobby greenhouses.
www.southeasttexasgardening.info/grnhouse.htm
Might be some helpful ideas there.

[PlantSwap]

zuzu, that looks really nice. I'm jealous!

[lcosden]

Zuzu, your GH is gorgeous. Want to build me one?? I was planning to put up a pre-fabbed one from Home Depot but I found out I'm pregnant and that kinda threw a wrench in my gardening plans.. Bummer on the postponed GH but hooray for the upcoming baby..

[zuzu's petals]

Thanks for the nice words, Y'all.
Without my glasshouse, hubby would have to move us WAY further south.

I found out I'm pregnant and that kinda threw a wrench in my gardening plans..

WOOO!!! The greenhouse will wait, baby is MUCH more exciting.
Hugs and congrats!!

[PlantSwap]

... I found out I'm pregnant ... hooray for the upcoming baby..

Awesome news! Congrats!

[lcosden]

Thanks everyone.. Wish I got the GH and the terraced beds in before I got pregnant though.. LOL.. Can you tell, I don't want to give up gardening.. Can you imagine me with a large belly bending over pawing at the ground to save my little plants.. LOL.. Think I'll need to get a landscaper to do the terrace beds for me so I can at least play with the dirt in spring without bending over the baby belly.. LOL..

[missg]

I'm jealous also
zuzu's petals's love your green house

Gale

[kymky]

Hi mak. I have heard of people using pvc piping to make them out of and putting the plastic over them. I seen one. They look really nice. Just an idea.

[janidob]

Here's the link:

http://www.sd1new.net/GardenPages/greenhouse.htm

I like this one because the greenhouse frame serves as an arbor in the summer!

Jani
San Marcos, TX

[zuzu's petals]

Oh! I like that, Jani!

That looks like it might be just the sort of additional winter shelter I need,
as my Brugmansia collection is beginning to outgrow the
space I allot for it in the glasshouse.

Dunno if I can talk hubby into it this year, but maybe in time for next winter.

[Plantman srq]

I use a carport frame I got at home depot covered it with shade cloth in summer in cold months dec. & jan. in fl. cover with plastic using cable ties do side roll ups using string like a tent to vent heat on warmer days total cost $120.00 size of mine 10x20

[MAK]

Ended up putting up a pvc hoop house and covering with plastic. It was fast, cheap, and easy; got most of the materials free by just asking around. I got most of my plants in it before the cold got to them, but then I think I may have drowned some of them trying to just show them love. Anyways it will do the job but I still have the wants for a more visually appealling structure, with dreams of solar activated vent panels that open and close automatically. A girl can dream cant she? Thanks for everyones input, it was very helpful.