as in the kind you grow plants in.
I've always like growing things and have toyed with the idea of getting a greenhouse for years.
FWIW I'm the kind who wants a Glass job and they are kind of pricey...and not really moveable.
Of course there is the "Hoop" Style using PVC pipe and plastic sheeting but that wouldn't fly too well with either the neighbors or the city code enforcement....not for long anyway.
The Hoop style would be the only answer if one is like Jacob and lives in an RV...at least it can be dissasembled and moved fairly easily if you desire to move location.
I wonder if you could put one on a trailer (like a tumbleweed house) and tote it along behind the RV???
Do You Want A Greenhouse...
http://sawbonessurio.wordpress.com/
Some of us have been discussing a greenhouse in the above link on Surio's blog.
Some of us have been discussing a greenhouse in the above link on Surio's blog.
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jeremymday
- Posts: 132
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- Contact:
FrugalZen,
I'm not sure code enforcement could do much about the hoophouse style, they don't have a foundation so it's just sort of a lawn ornament. Probably depends on the exact wording of the code, and how much you care about bothering the neighbors.
I don't think I like this "new America" that we live in. I'm glad I live in the country and can largely do as I please.
Oh, they do research on the professional version of the hoophouses on campus here. They have held up under the snow load of Michigan's upper peninsula, and can maintain cold season crops over winter here. The fancy versions are about $20,000 for 18x100', they are automated to roll up the sides if they start to overheat. Of course I want one!
I don't think the trailer would work, if you are trying to do season extension. They need to be connected to the ground to store the heat during the day.
I'm not sure code enforcement could do much about the hoophouse style, they don't have a foundation so it's just sort of a lawn ornament. Probably depends on the exact wording of the code, and how much you care about bothering the neighbors.
I don't think I like this "new America" that we live in. I'm glad I live in the country and can largely do as I please.
Oh, they do research on the professional version of the hoophouses on campus here. They have held up under the snow load of Michigan's upper peninsula, and can maintain cold season crops over winter here. The fancy versions are about $20,000 for 18x100', they are automated to roll up the sides if they start to overheat. Of course I want one!
I don't think the trailer would work, if you are trying to do season extension. They need to be connected to the ground to store the heat during the day.
We got one as a present, 14 x 12 foot, I believe. We're going to set it up this winter. If we can find a way to keep the minimum temperature above 50, I'm going to use it to grow dwarf citruses, ginger and lemon grass. If not, then I'll use it for starting vegetables and growing cucumbers and tomatoes, which in this climate don't get enough heat to ripen well.
I almost have a greenhouse! For the last few years every time I go to town during construction season I bring home a few windows from the dumpster. Now I've got a big pile of windows in my garden and some poles I've peeled for corner posts - as soon as the snow melts I'm gonna put it all together and have a greenhouse.
Clarkai,
What growing zone are you in? That will determine if you can keep it over 50.
But you can add thermal mass to help absorb heat from the sun during the day and slowly release it throughout the night. You can do this by filling barrels with water inside the greenhouse. You could put wood on top of them and put your plants on top of the wood.
What growing zone are you in? That will determine if you can keep it over 50.
But you can add thermal mass to help absorb heat from the sun during the day and slowly release it throughout the night. You can do this by filling barrels with water inside the greenhouse. You could put wood on top of them and put your plants on top of the wood.
@ Pathguy
We're in zone 7. It usually stays around 30 degrees night temp for most of the winter, dropping down to 5 degrees for a few days.
I'm intending to have a small pond (100-200 gallon) in the green house for thermal mass, as you said. For shelves, I could also fill five gallon buckets with water and lay the shelves across that.
I'm thinking of the possibility of a mass heater in the green house as in this youtube video: http://youtu.be/qtFvdMk3eLM; still playing around with that idea. Another idea is to situate it close to the house, and connect them like you would with a passive solar heater.
It will be interesting to see how much the pond helps to modulate temperatures; I'm also trying to think of other insulation possibilities.
We're in zone 7. It usually stays around 30 degrees night temp for most of the winter, dropping down to 5 degrees for a few days.
I'm intending to have a small pond (100-200 gallon) in the green house for thermal mass, as you said. For shelves, I could also fill five gallon buckets with water and lay the shelves across that.
I'm thinking of the possibility of a mass heater in the green house as in this youtube video: http://youtu.be/qtFvdMk3eLM; still playing around with that idea. Another idea is to situate it close to the house, and connect them like you would with a passive solar heater.
It will be interesting to see how much the pond helps to modulate temperatures; I'm also trying to think of other insulation possibilities.
Is it a glass greenhouse or poly?
The pond sounds like a really cool idea. So does the rocket mass heater idea, and it sounds like in your zone you'd only have to use the heater for a couple of the coldest nights.
If you do build it close to the house, I have heard of people routing their dryer vents into the greenhouse for the winter for some extra heat.
The pond sounds like a really cool idea. So does the rocket mass heater idea, and it sounds like in your zone you'd only have to use the heater for a couple of the coldest nights.
If you do build it close to the house, I have heard of people routing their dryer vents into the greenhouse for the winter for some extra heat.
It's polycarbonate- it's a gift and we haven't taken it out of the box yet, so I'm not even sure what the panels look like. I do know they are rigid.
Unfortunately, the dryer vents into the carport, which is on the far side of the house from where we would be putting the greenhouse. Other wise that would be really cool.
Unfortunately, the dryer vents into the carport, which is on the far side of the house from where we would be putting the greenhouse. Other wise that would be really cool.
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George the original one
- Posts: 5406
- Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:28 am
- Location: Wettest corner of Orygun
I've lusted after a greenhouse of some sort, but have not taken any action apart from saving a pair of 4' glass slider doors.
Our use would be to extend the tomatoe growing season and more early vegetable starts. Plus a dwarf citrus tree.
> If you do build it close to the house, I have heard
> of people routing their dryer vents into the
> greenhouse for the winter for some extra heat.
I like that idea, but our dryer vents out the front of the house, on the north side. This house was really poorly designed for some things.
Our use would be to extend the tomatoe growing season and more early vegetable starts. Plus a dwarf citrus tree.
> If you do build it close to the house, I have heard
> of people routing their dryer vents into the
> greenhouse for the winter for some extra heat.
I like that idea, but our dryer vents out the front of the house, on the north side. This house was really poorly designed for some things.