I'm at the point where I need a permanent greenhouse. I want to start small, 8x14 or 12x16, and add on later. From your experiences, what would be more economical in the long run to get, glass or 6mm polycarbonate, or do you have other suggestions? It doesn't usually get below 20 degrees or higher than 95 here.
My opinion is formed from the perennial recommendation: "go with the largest one you can afford & have room for". The concensus seems to be you'll quickly outgrow almost any greenhouse you buy! And Jody....I KNOW how many brugs you already have! lol
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
I was at the Glass Gardener display yesterday. Their largest is only 8x14 and they suggest getting it and and adding on lengthwise later with another. They also said glass is better, last longer, and of course cheaper to replace when a limb goes thru. Glass definitely is cheaper there than polycarbonate but I thought glass was harder to maintain heat.
Ruth Ann thats the one I want but will be a while before I can afford it. Walmart online has one for $199 for milder climates but the cover is not glass or polycarb so dont know how long it would last.
That is a nice sized, good looking greenhouse Rugh Ann. That's the one Patrick found at Harbor Freight and only has 4mm thick polycarbonate so would be harder to keep heated, but it sure has a great price. Thanks for responding.
I would get it in a heartbeat for that height and size were it here in Canada Jody. Don't be surprised, I bet cooling it will be the bigger problem than heating it where you are located. Even here at -10C with sun I have to turn off the heater in my winter house that is insulated on all sides, floor and roof at this time of year or the temps get over the 50F ( 10C) I want them to be.
Night time would be your coldest time.
I got that one. It's a great price but if you are in an area where the temps go below 40 be prepared to spend at least that amount on modifications (extra insulation and bracing) and then you have benches and potting tables to buy. If you are handy and can build them yourself you'll save a ton of money. I spent about $1000 on benches. Then you need a heater, an exhaust fan and misters which runs about another $500. I also bought temp sensitive automatic vent openers. Even with all the extra expenses it's still a good deal for that size GH. The instructions that came with it are worthless. DH contacted someone in New Mexico through the GW GH forum and they have made a website with step by step instructions, including pics and the necessary modifications. I don't know if he'd have been able to get it up without their help. I still have 3 more four tier plant carts to put in and the brackets for all the hanging plants also needs to be installed. My plants have been in there at a nice toasy 65-75 F and they look 100% better then they did when they first went in.
Karyn
Here's some pics of the GH. The benches still need to be put against the back wall.
It would need the same as my current home made one Karyn so no big deal as far as that goes. Mine is 10 x 10 but only 7' tall at the peak so I couldn't keep a full sized Brug in there even if I wanted to. I heat mine all winteras it is but it is all insulated and not open to the light, the Brugs are all dormant at 50F. I sure could have fun with that Harbor Frieght one let me tell you.
Karyn, that is a great looking greenhouse ---- were all those plants in your house?? They are arranged so nicely. And I agree with Patrick about the passi -- beautiful !!!!
I have a Rion greenhouse, which is great. It is heated with a small electric heater. Hubby put plastic around the outside and duct taped it to make a double wall insulation. Works great, as the heater is not going that often, and on those warm sunny days recently, it got to 95 and I had to open vents and the door. As far as size, one would keep filling a larger one. I would take into account my age, (I am 69 now), and I am slowing down. Am I capable to caring for a larger one? I also have read on other greenhouse forums, that the lighter weight ones, especially the one from harborfreight, they get tossed about in the wind. Several ladies lost theirs in windstorms. So I would look at that factor also. As far as shelves go, we got all of ours from a drug store that went out of business. They are plastic, have slotted benches, and adjustable heights. We use a portable heater for it, it is set on a heat timer. Right now it is stuffed to the gills with begonias, special geraniums, a few tropicals, my brug that is 5 yr. old and some special fushias, and cuttings I took. It is a joy to use, and I have not had any problems with it sweating, etc. Another thing to look up is the frame. I read that the ones out of aluminum sweat, and retain the cold and cost more to heat because of the metal. I would do a lot of research before diving into one that you could be unhappy with.
Lots of luck in your new venture.
Darlene
The problem with stability is one of the reasons that modifications are necessary. If someone puts this GH up without the extra bracing they are going to be in for a sad surprise. The peak is either 10 or 12', not sure. We've had some serious winds, sustained 40 mph with 70 mph gusts and so far so good. We have insulation around each panel. I'm going to have to start using the shade cloth earlier then I thought. If the sun's out it heats up quickly, even if it's only 30 degrees outside. I have a 19,000 BTU electric GH heater with a built in blower. It would probably be more cost effective in the long run to use propane but I didn't want a giant tank in the backyard. The first two nights after we put plants in we were checking to make sure that it was running every few hours. I was so against putting a GH in the backyard for such a long time. Now I love it and am considering adding another one. It's so nice not having to drive to the farm and this is small enough to keep very warm. I don't have nearly enough room for all the plants. Once I get the carts along the back wall I'll be able to move some plants around and when I'm able to put up the hanging plants that will open up more space.
Karyn
Karyn, your greenhouse looks so big and beautiful. Is it 8X12'? What thickness are the walls? I noticed no one suggested glass. Is that because it would cost more to heat? How humid should I keep the brugs during winter? I guess that means I also need a dehumidifier? Did you find you needed to get the greenhouse wired for 240 volts to take care of the lights, heating, timers, etc? I'm surprised there is so much to know before getting my prized possession.
Patrick, are you getting all this?
Is there anything else I should know before deciding?
Thanks everyone for all your great suggestions. I'll let you "see" the greenhouse once it's up and running.
Yes Jody, I'm watching with interest. There are so many factors to be considered. In my case, I'm thinking of going with temporary measures (hoop houses, etc.) until I retire & determine where I'm settling down. All that's still out there in the future somewhere.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Patrick that is what I did, I would love a conservatory but think I have only one in my future, and I know I will be moving in a couple of years to what is I hope my retirement garden.
I have a very nice little greenhouse that we made using the plans for a shed. We put up a pressure treated frame, but instead of plywood walls I have a double layer of plastic (inside and outside the 2x4's) I did invest in a automatic vent. I used greenhouse plastic, the original plastic is still on it. We put it up in 1994. The floor is approx. a foot of gravel, good drainage and a heat sink. I used the ridged plastic (don't know what it is called) on the roof over the greenhouse plastic to help protect from falling branches. I have a lot of trees in my yard.I use a little milk house heater to warm it.
Eager for spring........Sally
Sally, your GH and mine sounds like twins! I used the struts for a 10 x 10 shed, used rigid rippled plastic on the roof and did the walls as you did only I use 6mm vapour barrier plastic sheeting on the sides and plywood floor. My wall plastic lasted 5 years (winters) I just replaced the outer layer last fall. This year I will replace the inside layer.\
Only difference is it take 2 milk house heaters to heat mine, sometimes a third heater when I get to 0F or lower with a wind.
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