"Oui Built A Greenhouse For $142.00" | Winter Protection for Plants

Gaga's Garden is built on the 'Qui Theory' It's a principal working partners must employ to get more accomplished with their projects. My 'Oui Theory' is simply this, 'Oui' (pronounced we and French for yes), can accomplish the work of two while you are not there. The artful gardener must first identify all of her/his resources. This must include your labor force. Your resources include who can do the work that you have identified that you would like to have done in your garden while you were at home and you would like completed after you are not there by putting the 'Oui Theory' to work for you. Now that is parallel universe optimization. You will not be there and work will be getting done by someone you have identified that essentially is in a parallel universe toiling away at things 'Oui' have mutually agreed to do and then enjoy together, maybe. You carefully planned it, purchased the plants, perhaps even did beautiful sketches, you visualized in the other beautiful universe which of course is your mind. Now here is where your genious will put Steven Hawking to shame, 'Oui Theory' actually translates into 'Yes, Dear.' 'Oui Theory' simply stated is "yes dear, I see your logic we (oui) will complete this project while you are (at work, getting your nails done, hair appointment, shopping, taking a trip around the world, taking French cooking classes, going to buy a new car, get the oil changed, play soccer, play golf, ad infinitum…”. So You see "Qui Built A Greenhouse for Winter Protection for "our plants" ;)
Greenhouse Frame Built in Garage
Here’s the materials list for the greenhouse, prefabricated in the garage and assembled on the stone patio along north fence in the back yard. This greenhouse is 8 X 8 X 7 ½” and it meets all neighborhood association rules and city codes standards.


The materials list is exactly as it was written from the Home Depot receipt. with exact costs. I’m getting this out there to you today so you can go buy your materials today or early Saturday and build this over the week-end. You can get it done before NFL football on Sunday.
Walls Are Built for Easy Portabiliy
Materials List:


Materials List for 8 X 8 X 7 ½” Greenhouse


2X3-8’ 31 studs @ $1.87 ea $57.97


1X2X8 3 studs @ $1.12 ea $ 3.36


2X6X8’ HT $3.68


Box of 3” dry wall screws $8.69


Door hinge & latch $ 2.58


Fill Strip 4 @ .99 $ 3.96


Foam board/1 side alum foil


4/$12.69


Materials Total Cost $141.81
Frame and Visqueen Sheeting on Flagstone
This structure can be built in the garage and moved to location to be erected. Construct 3 - 8’ X 8” walls on 2” centers. The 4th wall has a door framed out of 1 X 2’s and hinged with a latch so you can secure it shut. The roof is constructed with rafters of 2 X 3’s and visqueen stretched over the top. Screw a lawn sprinkler to the center rafter for watering and attach a garden hose along the rafter for watering. Last year we had record cold and although most plants made it this year we insolated the structure. We came down 30” from the top with visqueen and wrapped entire structure with 4 X 8 sheets of foam board with an aluminum foil face facing inside 6 feet high.
Door added to hold heat and keep out critters
Last year’s Greenhouse cost $98.00. The upgrade this year cost an additional $43.81 and I will need to check to see how much additional labor if any OUI spent in constructing it. My contribution consisted of spraying myself with mosquito spray although I did sustain multiple painful bites prior to spraying myself so there is a misery factor to be considered and I did hand my builder wood screws like I hand Denise foil when she colors my hair. I also had to park in the driveway while the walls were being prefabricated in the garage. I made suggestions about whether the foam board came in suitable earth tones for the back yard or could it be painted.
Easy Overhead Watering System
OUI opted not to paint it in case the paint slithered off in a gooey mess, but my builder was willing to try and paint it in an earthy selection. I like that in a builder, don’t you? I think I’ll use him on my next project. I also poured a glass of chardonnay for the construction crew. That’s a lot, don’t you think? One must sacrifice. I also requested that the construction crew not sit on the white love seat in his work shirt.
Sago Palm Tree Getting a Shower
The beauty of the design is that this structure can be disassembled and stored and reassembled each fall and your plants are safe again for the winter, saving 100’s of dollars in plants each year. Now you can get busy protecting all those plants.
Door Installed Winter Protection for Plants
This structure also breaks down for storage in the summer. You can reassemble it each fall to protect your plants for the winter. Plants are very expensive. This structure can save you hundreds of dollars by protecting them from freezing. Some plants will still drop leaves yet the roots are protected from freezing and will begin new growth in the spring.
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