Does anyone do a greenhouse?

[cyhick]

Hi all!

Just wondering if anyone does a winter greenhouse and how you go about it. After the winter we had here in Iowa in 2009-2010, I absolutely hate winter (I can't remember how many blizzards we had but there was snow on the ground for three full months, nothing short of 2.5 feet deep). I need to see some green plants when it is snowy. My mother and I thought about doing a greenhouse, one for me and one for her, but haven't done one before. We both live in the country on a farm, about 10 miles apart, so we have room for one.

We have been looking at a couple of set ups in a farm catalog, but some imput is greatly appreciated!

[TiggerToo]

Awesome thread!! I am going to be interested to read the responses. I am in MN and my hubby and I have been thinking about doing the same thing in our basement!

[thickbluebug]

Me too!!!!

I want one to start my plants in January. Most of the time we can plant in March around here.

Will probably get the 6 x 8 from Santa. Really want the 10 x 12, but it looks massive and it will be larger than my 5 above ground boxes.

Last year I used the little one - 4 tier and 5 ft. Clear one.
Used bungie cords and strapped it to the banisters of my front porch.

I waited to start my plants too late and even though I rolled up the front flaps some of my seedlings baked or needed constant water. Plus I used those little seed pods and small Peat tray cups. Still had lots of seedlings I hardened off and it was so much fun watching the trays.

This year I am using black pots I have been getting from the hardware places - left overs they toss and the holding trays,,,,,and disposable cups with holes.

Small Greenhouse Kit - 6 Ft. x 8 Ft.

One Stop Gardens Greenhouse - Great Deals on One Stop Gardens at Harbor Freight

4 Tier 5 Ft. Greenhouse

[joshmamabear]

We're working on putting up solar panels on top of a greenhouse so DH is researching on types of materials to use for maximum benefit.

We looked @ greenhouses @ the University of Ozarks in Hollister, MO and we asked for advice from the interns there. We noticed they used white painted glass; we're debating on whether fiberglass will be better although we have to check the cost vs benefits. Since we're prone to hailstorms, we also have to take that into consideration.

I'll keep an eye on this great thread, thanks for starting it!

[qpnkwn1]

I would love to grow fresh veges all winter long. I just am not sure how to even start. We were looking at the Greenhouse from harbor Freight also.

[motherofmolly]

the 10 x 12 one from harbor freight said for mild winters. probably wouldnt work for illinois.

i would love to plan something for next winter. even if it is building something this summer to use.

[thickbluebug]

Yeah says mild winters.
We get snow, but not every year.
The reason I am leaning toward the smaller one is that I might take it down after March and put it up Oct because of our winds and weather.
The smaller one should be able to break it down fairly easily

If I do get a harbor freight one - we will do the suggestion of liquid nails or extra clips
....Looks like there are several reviews from northern states like Colorado and they used extra clips and liquid nail/caulk

[cyhick]

I didn't know that Harbor Freight carried greenhouses, but I bet they wouldn't hold up very well here in Iowa. The one place I've been looking at is Farm Tek- Greenhouses, Greenhouse Materials, Greenhouse Kits, Greenhouses Accessories, Commercial Greenhouses, Hobby Greenhouses, Professional Greenhouses, Patio Growhouses, Invernaderos, Polycarbonate Greenhouse - FarmTek There are several different set up options- from hobby to professional set ups.

I'm glad for the feed back, thanks!

[Jomurphey]

I built mine out of recycled screen doors. New screen is cheap. During the winter, I just staple up plastic. During the planting season, I start my plants there or grow my delicate produce.

Jo

[cyhick]

My father built his own greenhouse and essentially did it a "green" way too! He took a couple of old cattle panels we had gotten at a farm sale and shaped them into a semi-circle. he then built up the sides with old barn boards. He added a door from an old camper topper than was rotted and added one of the screen windows from the topper too. He added a tarp on one side of the semi circle and plastic on the other. He did not do anything to the "floor", he just left the green grass.

This is still a work in progress, a bit of a trial and error. One of the frosts got a couple of the seedlings. We think the open ground contributed to that, or maybe we need thicker plastic. Not sure at this point.

The little greenhouse is large enough for us to walk into without stooping, well at least for my family. My husband and brother and law cannot walk in there as they are both over 6 feet tall. Three people can be in there at one time, but it would be a little on the crowded size. We plan of trying to grow some plants in there this coming winter. I'll keep you updated if you'd like.