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Garden Gate:  Greenhouse growing  |
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Cowgurl
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Robin
middle Tennessee
34 Posts |
 Posted - May 16 2004 : 1:27:59 PM
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Anyone grow plants in a greenhouse? I want to build a small one and had a few questions. I will place it where it gets southern exposure, but I'm sure it will need to be heated. (I'm in south TN, but we get freezing temps) Any recommendations on the type of heating system to use? Would a single solar panel be enough to keep it warm overnight, even if we get 5 or more days in a row of rainy/cloudy weather?
Robin |
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Lauram
True Blue Farmgirl
74 Posts
Laura
Moneta
VA
USA
74 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2005 : 04:03:36 AM
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| I would love to build a greenhouse, but they are like $1,7000 or more. I wonder if there is a way to build your own greenhouse without spending that kind of money? |
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quiltedess
True Blue Farmgirl
296 Posts
Nancy
Priest River
ID
USA
296 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2005 : 09:01:56 AM
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Laura: There are lots of less expensive ways to build a greenhouse. I've even used flexible pvc pipe. Just form the pipe sections into an upside-down U and then cover with with clear plastic. Mine was about 4ft tall and I just rolled up the plastic on the side to access the plans. I secured the ends of the pipe onto rebar that I pounded into the ground. This is very temporary but it worked pretty good. I've also seen plenty of books and information on the web about building your own greenhouse. But I did purchase the one I have now. It has doors and I can walk in.
I don't heat. Most seedlings will do pretty well if it temp inside doesn't go below freezing and here in the mild northwest my greenhouse can hold the heat pretty well from about March on . . . I have also filled up plastic bottles with water to sit next to the plants and the water will warm up during the day and keep things frost free at night. We have plenty of rainy/cloudy days and my greenhouse has been doing very well with the tomatoes and basil that are in it now. The most worrisome thing right now is to not forget to open the greenhouse doors on sunny days or the plants will cook. On a cloudy day it is about 10 degrees warmer in there, but as soon as the sun comes out it turns into an oven. One more thing, depending on the area you live, glass may be the best choice (instead of "plastic" windows). Here in western Washington our days are short in late winter and early spring and the skys are cloudy. Real glass lets the most possible light through to the plants.
Nancy |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2005 : 05:35:27 AM
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Just wanted to add my two cents worth. I had a Lord & Burnham glasss house to grow in (job related) with automatic controls and ventillation.Heaven! I've grown tomatoes in plastic houses with my grandfather and though economical upfront, more labor intensive for maintenance, etc.
I am currently planning a greenhouse from salvaged windows we have been collecting and it will look like a little victorian green house, potting shed ( I hope...) when we are done. We are venting the ends but installing two ceiling fans for circulation and light. All the side windows will open (w/screens...yeah!) As for heat...if you want to grow through the winter you may need some but remember that it can be expensive! I'm in NJ so heat is a must for winter growing past November 1 , I am thinking solar but we have a lot of gray days so there will have to be backup. DH and I are debating this issue. I have a friend that uses water jugs under her benches for heat but she doesn't grow all the way through the winter just to New Years and then she stops for a few months. I think she's had to use a space heater a handful of times. There is a lot of info out there for more
options that will suit your specific needs. Good luck!
with a happy heart |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2005 : 4:24:32 PM
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My 12 x 24 greenhouse cost $600 to build. The only thing that needs to be replaced is the plastic. It's heated with propane for about a month when I need the heat at night for the seedlings. This year was an exception. It was cold and rained all but seven days in May. I kept the heat on low a month longer than I'd planned. In the winter I move a cold frame into it and grow hardy greens.
We build a 12 x 40 hoop house over part of one garden this year. $250.
Neither of these will work for year round growing without running up a huge heating bill. I think your winter is shorter than mine so you should be able to get a lot of time out of it.
The water jugs that bramble mentioned are a big help. They absorb heat during the day and slow down over night cooling. If I didn't need my floor space in the greenhouse I'd have 55 gallon drums filled with water under my benches.
Robin
Thyme For Ewe Farm
www.thymeforewe.com |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2005 : 07:31:50 AM
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Oh and the other thing I forgot...if you are in high wind or heavy snow a plastic house can have unexpected problems that need to be addressed IMMEDIATELY! Nothing like getting that call at 11:30 pm in a sleet, wind and rain storm that a tree has come through the top and you have to get it off and covered before you loose a whole house of just ready to pick tomatoes. Been there, done that, NOT doing it again! (It could have happened with any greenhouse, but a big piece of plywood until morning sure beats stretching more plastic in the middle of the night!
To get a head start you can make great cold frames from a little lumber (preferably recycled) and some "reclaimed" windows, and hinges.
It might be a good way to gage how the heat situatiion will be for you if you try it this fall and winter.
with a happy heart |
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jillofalltrades
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Nicole
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2006 : 5:39:20 PM
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We built a 12x12 greenhouse this spring. We used recycled lumber from a house we tore down and purchased the 4 year greenhouse plastic. It cost us about $115 to build. Now it is summer in North Louisiana and the greenhouse is empty. I want to start some seeds so that I will have veggies this fall and winter. My problem is ventilation. There are two large windows on the north and south but we really do not know how to vent it so that the temp stays around 80. Right now in the heat of the day it is over 100 degrees so the seedlings would likely die. How can we vent the greenhouse cheaply yet efficently? One idea we had was to purchase a box fan and put it in the top on the west side and a small loover type vent on the east side. Would this work?
Nicole~ mom to Makinlee Georganna
Louisiana Chapter Leader
Louisiana Farmgirls Blog
http://farmgirlsoflouisiana.blogspot.com
http://www.crunchycountry.com -Natural Products for Crunchy Families
http://www.thelazydeaux.com -Registered Boer Goats-traditional & colored
http://lazydeaux.blogspot.com -My Farm Blog
http://crunchycountrymama.blogspot.com -My daily blog |
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Garden_artist
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Tammy
Southern Coast Oregon
182 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2006 : 1:35:26 PM
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I have heard about a lady that has chickens in part of her greenhouse so the body heat of the chicken keep the plants warm during the winter and the compost pile is real close by for the plants.
When I feel spring coming I have to plant or I’ll go crazy! |
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The Farmers Daughter
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Sherry
LeRoy
Kansas
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2006 : 12:46:30 PM
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We built our greenhouse out of old storm windows and some Anderson roll out windows. Total cost was less than $300. I never heat it in the winter (I live in Ks.) because I do Winter Sowing, plus other plants can be started in the Spring. Keeping it cool during the really hot months is no problem because of the roll out windows. Right now I've got tons of plants out there that are needing set out! WORK-WORK-Work! HA
Sher, The Farmer's Daughter |
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Garden Gate: Greenhouse growing |
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Greenhouse growing
