greenhouse

[homesteadingnky]

Just wondering how many of you gardeners have some type of greenhouse? Can you tell me about it (what you like and dislike about the design - what you might change if you were to do it over or build a new one)?

We'll be building one soon and I'm considering the different types and which would suit us best.

Thanks.
Homesteading Dad n KY

[Deberosa]

I decided on a 8 by 8 Solar Gem greenhouse and it workds great. I didn't have time to build a greenhouse and for me it was essentially free because I won the money to buy it in a poker tournment. ;-)

http://www.solargemgreenhouses.com/

I also built a hoop house - but it blew apart in the first storm this season. I have pictures and plans for that on my blog at deberosahomestead.wordpress.com

I would like a bigger greenhouse - like the 8 by 16 solargem but the smaller one has worked well.

[homesteadingnky]

Wind is an issue. It's not bad here usually but it does sometimes get very rough and I don't want to invest in something that isn't going to last. On the other hand I don't want to spend more than I have to either. And I don't play poker (not for money anyway) so that's not an option for me. But sounds like it worked well for you.

Thanks for the info!

Homesteading Dad n KY

[Deberosa]

The solar gem is just like an upside down boat, pretty much indescructible. They used to turn green/yellow from the sun but that was fixed and mine remains clear.

I play poker about 4 times a year anymore - but this time I won a tournament of 120 people. Not bad for a $55 entry fee!

Debbie

[homesteadingnky]

I looked up the solar gem. Do you only use it for seeding or do you actually grow things in it year round? Have you grown things directly in the soil in the green house or only in containers? Just curious?

[Deberosa]

I start my early seeds inside under lights - tomatoes, peppers and such. Then move them out to this greenhouse in 4 inch pots. Other seeds that I start later, greens, flowers, squash, etc. I start right in the greenhouse because it's warm enough out there at that point. I grow on shelfs on each side of the house and across the back. Also have some bars for haning some pots in it. I even put boards across those bars and put plants near the top when I run out of space!

I just had weed cloth the first year on the floor but then put in a concrete paver floor. Volunteer allysum grows in the cracks on the floor.

The cool thing about this design is that it really deflects the sunlight all around inside so they get good sunlight all over.

Right now I only use it in the spring for starting plants. In the winter it becomes the location of the generator - half way between the pump house and the house so it can run without problems and power both areas. I would like to grow more greeens in it year round but other projects just take over and haven't gotten to that part yet.

Debbe

[bookwormom]

looks nice, but I did not see a price.
we are setting up a simple cattle panel geenhouse. Husband put up three panels, we need to cover it with 6mil plastic, then it is ready to go. Friends of ours have one that works very well. google cattle panel greenhouse, several will pop up.

[Diamon_Girl]

I was just reading about a "pit" greenhouse, it is supposed to stay warmer in the winter due to being in the ground. It's pretty cool! My husband was intrigued by the idea!
Here's a link to a forum conversation that mentions it, somewhere down the conversation someone posts pictures of one they built.
http://familycow.proboards32.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=print&thread=120065 8980

[MHinFox]

Havre a small one from england called gardeners green house 4x4x5 graet for first starting them out in winter I just heat it with small electric thermastate controlled heater. as they get bigger move them into a larger one with "body space" from farm tech corrugated plastic 16x12 both work great. farm tec is best prices i found for kits. You can buy materail to build your own custom one from them as well. I have more problems keeping them from overheating than i do from heating at night as a rule-sun comes out they heat quick-have to have decent system to cool them-live in Ark.