The idea was to extend the growing season by a month in both spring
and fall...

http://igor.chudov.com/tmp/Greenhouse/

"Ignoramus2772" wrote in message
...
The idea was to extend the growing season by a month in both spring
and fall...

http://igor.chudov.com/tmp/Greenhouse/


do you need directions to my place?

Xref: kermit rec.gardens:282048

Ignoramus2772 wrote in news:ca3d5h$u1q
:

The idea was to extend the growing season by a month in both spring
and fall...

http://igor.chudov.com/tmp/Greenhouse/


I've left things made out of untreated pine outside. They turn grey after
a year or so (SE Virginia). Structurally they are still sound (or at least
appear to be), but now I usually paint wood if it's going to be exposed
outdoors. Don't know if it's a good idea or not for a greenhouse (as far
as plant toxicity and envirofriendliness).

Speaking of structural integrity, are you sure that baby is going to hold
up? I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be with nothing under the rafters.
Are the columns made of wood? It's kind of hard to tell, they sort of look
like PVC pipe. Why not make the whole thing out of pipe? It's got to be
easier to take down (if necessary), probably doesn't need painting and not
near as heavy as wood.

Anyway, good luck, it must have taken a lot of effort to get the framing
up.

Good job! And it's quite large, did you build it from plans?

'enry VIII

"Ignoramus2772" wrote in message
...
The idea was to extend the growing season by a month in both spring
and fall...

http://igor.chudov.com/tmp/Greenhouse/

Ignoramus2772 wrote:

The idea was to extend the growing season by a month in both spring
and fall...


Looks like it would work but I see a couple things you might want to
address.

It appears to have a double ridge pole. This will increase the strength,
but when the plastic is on it, rain/snow will accumulate on the flat
section on the top. If it freezes, you have a block of ice up there.
That's not a problem in itself, but if the ice is thin enough and a wind
comes up, it could dislodge the ice (which could have sharp edges) and
tear holes in the plastic. Similar things have happened to me when I had
an ice storm that accumulated on my greenhouse. Get some UV treated
repair tape for that possibility.

The rain is also likely to collect at the bottom of the roof line as the
plastic sags. Not really a problem: you can just take a push broom on
the inside and bow the plastic outwards to dump the collected water.

It isn't clear from the picture how you are going to provide ventilation
when the plastic is on. Ventilation is essential, even in cold weather.
A sunny day can bake the plants even if it's cold outside.

The easiest way is to make the sides so that they roll up. Just roll the
plastic around some battens at the bottom. The battens should be tied
together so that the whole length of the greenhouse will turn and roll
the plastic on the batten. At the top, you put some strings that you can
use to tie the roll of plastic in place. The disadvantage of this is
that you have to be home to watch the weather and you have to be home
when the cold night temperatures turn to warm day temperatures (and vice
versa). For a sunny cold day, just open the front and back doors to
provide some circulation.

A more automated way is to provide an exhaust fan and thermostat. I just
put a door on the end that opens inward on a spring. When the fan comes
on, it pulls the door open to provide cooling air. This is more work but
you don't have to watch it. For a small greenhouse like this you could
probably use some cheap plastic box fans (around $20 or less each) with
a thermostat built in. Frame them in and put a flap of plastic over the
outlet so that they aren't open all the time. I'd use two of them on the
leeward end. I had a 30" exhaust fan, so I used it. Bigger is better (up
to the point where it doesn't fit onto the end wall). If you use a large
exhaust fan, put screen over the fan for safety. It can chop off
fingers. If you don't do this simple thing, your homeowners policy may
decline to pay for injuries to some kid who wanders into the greenhouse.

A small greenhouse like this can be heated when necessary by a small
electric space heater. All you really need is to keep it above freezing.
I've used two of them in a medium size greenhouse successfully. Gas or
kerosine heaters can be used, but keep all appropriate safety
precautions in mind.

In article , Salty Thumb wrote:
Ignoramus2772 wrote in news:ca3d5h$u1q
:

The idea was to extend the growing season by a month in both spring
and fall...

http://igor.chudov.com/tmp/Greenhouse/


I've left things made out of untreated pine outside. They turn grey after
a year or so (SE Virginia). Structurally they are still sound (or at least
appear to be), but now I usually paint wood if it's going to be exposed
outdoors. Don't know if it's a good idea or not for a greenhouse (as far
as plant toxicity and envirofriendliness).

I would say, let them turn grey.

Speaking of structural integrity, are you sure that baby is going to hold
up? I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be with nothing under the rafters.
Are the columns made of wood? It's kind of hard to tell, they sort of look
like PVC pipe. Why not make the whole thing out of pipe? It's got to be
easier to take down (if necessary), probably doesn't need painting and not
near as heavy as wood.

The columns are made pf 1.5" pvc pipe, yes. This greenhouse is not for
winter, it is for planting things on April 1 instead of May 1.

Anyway, good luck, it must have taken a lot of effort to get the framing

Actually, it did not...

i

In article Z9Qxc.26192$Sw.22474@attbi_s51, 'enry VIII wrote:
Good job! And it's quite large, did you build it from plans?

Thanks, no, I did not build from plans.

i

'enry VIII

"Ignoramus2772" wrote in message
...
The idea was to extend the growing season by a month in both spring
and fall...

http://igor.chudov.com/tmp/Greenhouse/

In article , dps wrote:
Ignoramus2772 wrote:

The idea was to extend the growing season by a month in both spring
and fall...


Looks like it would work but I see a couple things you might want to
address.

It appears to have a double ridge pole. This will increase the strength,
but when the plastic is on it, rain/snow will accumulate on the flat
section on the top. If it freezes, you have a block of ice up there.
That's not a problem in itself, but if the ice is thin enough and a wind
comes up, it could dislodge the ice (which could have sharp edges) and
tear holes in the plastic. Similar things have happened to me when I had
an ice storm that accumulated on my greenhouse. Get some UV treated
repair tape for that possibility.

Maybe I will put plywood on top for this reason, good point.

The rain is also likely to collect at the bottom of the roof line as the
plastic sags. Not really a problem: you can just take a push broom on
the inside and bow the plastic outwards to dump the collected water.

I will add a lot more thin rafters.

It isn't clear from the picture how you are going to provide ventilation
when the plastic is on. Ventilation is essential, even in cold weather.
A sunny day can bake the plants even if it's cold outside.

Another good point that needs addressing when I put plastic on it.

The easiest way is to make the sides so that they roll up. Just roll the
plastic around some battens at the bottom. The battens should be tied
together so that the whole length of the greenhouse will turn and roll
the plastic on the batten. At the top, you put some strings that you can
use to tie the roll of plastic in place. The disadvantage of this is
that you have to be home to watch the weather and you have to be home
when the cold night temperatures turn to warm day temperatures (and vice
versa). For a sunny cold day, just open the front and back doors to
provide some circulation.

That's sensible, thank you.

A small greenhouse like this can be heated when necessary by a small
electric space heater. All you really need is to keep it above freezing.
I've used two of them in a medium size greenhouse successfully. Gas or
kerosine heaters can be used, but keep all appropriate safety
precautions in mind.

I have a special temperature controlled outlet for that, it turns on
at 3 degrees C./

i