Greenhouse Build

[el-blanco]

I've finally gotten around to framing out my small greenhouse.  I thought I would share the progress with all of you.  It is about 7' x 9' and 12' tall at the ridgeline.  I have procurred old windows and a door from a tear down in Laguna Beach.  THe house I got the windows from was built in '29 BUT I believe these are new old stock wood windows.  Regardless they have a great retro vibe to them.  I'll post pictures of those next time.

Any ideas on heating this thing in the winter is appreciated.  I have a small oil space heater but want to see if I can hook up something solar.

Plans are to grow a lot of smaller species of palms in here and propogate the other tropicals I have in my yard.

Would love to hear from those of you that have greenhouses and what you did to make it as functional as possible.

Thanks,  

JW

[sandgroper]

I've got a mate who runs his aquaponics system with a 160ah deep cycle gel battery, it is charged via solar panels and the battery in turn runs the pumps etc. I wonder if you could do something similar where your battery ran a small electric heater? I'm guessing that you are only looking at running the heater at night? I don't know your climate but if it warms up during the day it could be an effective way to heat your greenhouse and the battery would recharge during the daylight hours.

[palmsOrl]

I will say this.  In both of my actual greenhouses, I always used an electric space heater or electric radiant heater and it worked very effectively.  I was not very careful regarding the electricity issue and never had an incident, but if you do go this route, be very, very careful.  Electricity can kill.  I repeat, electricity can and will kill.

One time when I was like 12 and my mom and I built a "greenhouse" out of pvc pipe and plastic for my orchids.  On one really cold night, my mom put a hot smoking grill in it to keep it warm and it was a disaster.  All the plants annihilated.  Lesson learned.

[Darold Petty]

I use an electric baseboard heater, to maintain 50F as the overnight minimum temperature.  All the wires are enclosed in plastic electrical conduit.  Any 115 VAC line voltage use such as a fan or lighting MUST be protected by a GFCI device. 

 For the floor use 3/4 inch crushed rock, don't use smooth rounded pebbles from an alluvial source, as these will slither and 'splash' around under foot.

I leave a small fan running 24/7, air movement is  important.  Your location looks fairly shady,  use a minimum/maximum registering thermometer to monitor the temperature cycles.   Retrofit one of the sash to operable, hinged function and use a thermal  piston opener for passive ventilation.  Good luck !! 

https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/equip/cooling/vents/bayliss-autovent-opener

 

[palmsOrl]

Great advice Darold.

[Mostapha]

Nice little build.  Id like to build a geodesic dome myself. I think a sm inferred heater would work nice, some you can set then temp on and they will turn on and off, just like any other heater keep the opening clear of anything and make sure its not blowing hot air onto the plants themselves. you could even do a brick floor that would hold warmth if your cold seasons arent too cold. I would keep something with water to keep humidity up during dry season. As far as fresh air you could even leave a window that would open, there are literally dozens of automatic openers.  Ive looked up hubs for a dome would just like to hear something from people that have used them to get an idea if they would be cost effective. can be pretty costly if they don't last, but I would use pressure treated wood and allow it set season for the winter before closing in.  If you look on line you will see some beautiful green houses similar to your build. hope you enjoy it. Mark

[Peter]

Looks good Jeffy!  Hey is that a Meryta balansae I spy?

[el-blanco]

Thank you for all the tips!  VERY HELPFUL!  Please keep them coming.

Pedro, Yes that is the once tiny Meryta!  15 or so years old now and never has had an issue..... grasshoppers like it for some reason but I keep them at bay.  Hi To P.!  Jeff

[el-blanco]

GREENHOUSE BUILD UPDATE

I finally got the "roof" on.  Very lightweight and im only using 6Mil visqueen (sp?).  Has taken a whiel since it is 12' tall and I am a one man show.  Windows, door and other trim is all prepped, and painted.  Going to take a slight break for now and back at it in a week or so.  Included are a few palm shots too.  Thanks!  Jeff

[el-blanco]

[el-blanco]

[el-blanco]

[el-blanco]

On 8/7/2019 at 7:16 AM, Peter said:

Looks good Jeffy!  Hey is that a Meryta balansae I spy?

[The Silent Seed]

Looks good! How will you protect the wood in the frame from rot? 

 

[Tyrone]

You've got a beautiful garden. I especially like your Rhopalostylis bauerii.

[el-blanco]

3 hours ago, santoury said:

Looks good! How will you protect the wood in the frame from rot? 

 

I painted all the support wood to hopefully keep moisture out.  All the cedar is from an old hotel built in the 50's.  Tough as nails!  Should last me a number of years.

[The Silent Seed]

Sounds good - Love old Cedar! Hopefully you can still smell it through the paint? Nicely done. 

[el-blanco]

Finished!

[Cindy Adair]

Lovely! I know you will enjoy it very much.

Congratulations!

[doubravsky]

jeff,

 

I love the way you integrated it into the garden! Nice job!