Greenhouse

[bret]

My wife wants a greenhouse, I think she should just start with one of those roll out ones to see if she likes it, she thinks she needs a full sized one since we now have the land for it, suggestions?

 

[RockHound]

I've seen some of the ones that are about hip height around my area. Maybe that would be a good option until she sees if she needs one of the big ones. But if you do use that many plants, it wouldn't be a bad thing to get a large one. You could probably sell the excess plants you produce.

 

[bret]

That would not be a bad idea, selling the excess. The greenhouses charge all outdoors for plants, perhaps we could set it up so it is completely organic and hone in on that market.

 

[BlueGrass]

Organic would be the way to go since people are on that train right now. I haven't seen too many Michigan grown organic plants or foods and I'm on a pretty big buy Michigan high right now.

 

[173abn]

bret,I built a greenhouse using polycarbonate panels on top and old sliding glass doors.I took the glass out of the doorframes and used 4x4s as the way to frame them in.Also used some large double pane storm windows that I can open in the summer for ventalition. I heat it in the winter with a combination of propane solid state ingition furnace,wood stove and two4x8' passive solar panels that I made.I built it on the south side of my barn.I also used concrete as a floor which also acts as a way to store the days heat.on a cold day it can easily get in the 90s with just the wood stove and the sun ,the propane is usually needed at night and only for short periods. It works pretty good as I have tropicals that are as old as the greenhouse which I built 7yrs ago. russ

 

[bret]

Wow, that sounds fantastic, maybe I can get something started and hone in on the organic market in Michigan, I would love to work for myself rather than someone else.

 

[173abn]

go for it brother,you only live once. russ

 

[buntrock]

I'm not a big fan of Harbor Freight, but I have bought two green houses from them.The first being a 6x8 that I had to leave behind when I moved.Now I have a larger one 10x12 that I bought from them on sale for around $500.00.They are the best value I have found! The only problem I have had was the installation or build directions were not the best I've dealt with.I struggled with mine until while talking to sales person at Harbor Freight and found complete directions and photos on line. I used some long screws where I should have used shorter ones,causing me to be short some long screws.I called H.F. and explained what I had done,they sent me a complete replacement packet of long screws at no charge! This time H.F. scored a home run.I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a small greenhouse!

 

[bret]

I'll definitely look into a pre fab one first and see how it goes, that seems to be the way to go right now, if it works well, then I'll look into a bigger one