Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Greenhouse Idea ???
"Rick" wrote in message ... On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 15:07:03 -0400, dps wrote: chaz wrote: I am considering making a small greenhouse, before I actually make the plunge into something legit. I can buy a greenhouse locally for about 1100.00 which would be an 8x10 portable unit. Its like a storage building, but with translucent fiberglass panels, no floor, and windows for ventalation. I am looking at making a 10'x10' x 3' tall stucture from PVC and clear plastic. I know its not a greenhouse, maybe a souped up cold frame, but it would be cheap. I thought I could string up some lights (4?) to keep the temps out of the freezing range? I have some lemon trees I want to grow over the winter and there are too many to bring in doors. I would love you guys to shoot holes in this idea. I have ZERO experience with a greenhouse. chaz Things to consider: The clear plastic you buy in the hardware store is not generally UV resistant, and will start cracking in one to two months of exposure. Make sure you buy the UV stabilized stuff. 6 mil is common. Look for it in greenhouse supply houses. The PVC frame has to be strong enough to withstand wind and snow(?) loads when the plastic is on it. You don't want a flat roof. You need enough slope so rain will not form puddles in the plastic. Rain is really heavy when it collects in a dip in the plastic, and can rip through. 3' high is rather cramped when you're trying to work inside (maintaining your lemon trees as necessary, or just planting them). Making it 5' high wouldn't take significantly more framing or plastic. Ventilation is NECESSARY. Preferably automatic. On a sunny day, the temperature can get over 130F, even with 30F outside. You want it automatic so you can go to work and not have to worry about the sun coming out in the afternoon. There are automated cold frame devices that would probably work. If you want to keep it from freezing, a lot of water containers will help (assuming you're in a temperate region where lemon trees grow). Water will release heat as it freezes, keeping the temperature at 32F until it's all frozen. If the temperature gets below freezing for several days at a time, this won't work well. I find a cheap space heater (set on concrete blocks) will keep a fairly large space above freezing in New England in the spring (not the winter). Lights running all night might be an annoyance to your neighbors. The space heater is not quite so visible. I built this one and have been enjoying it for the last 4 years. http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/ext...greenhouse.pdf -Rick Rick, How do you handle heating, ventilation, etc? Where can I buy plastic for this project? |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
ingenious idea, or terribly stupid idea? | Texas | |||
Small greenhouse or hot frame idea | Gardening | |||
here's an interesting idea for those of you who don't want war with | Gardening | |||
Old aluminium roof under pond liner,good idea or not? please advise | Ponds | |||
Old aluminium roof on top of pond liner,good idea or not? please advise | Ponds |