Greenhouse advice please!
by
CAROL H
I'm looking for a greenhouse to overwinter tropicals as well as starting plants for spring. What would be my best option, a kit or building one out of pvc pipe? I'm concerned about keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter without spending a fortune. My husband built me a greenhouse when we lived in California, he made it out of wood and polycarbonate panels, it was pretty but it never really worked, it was either too hot or too cold. I know someone will ask - I used fans and drip system in the summer and heater in the winter.
I should also mention that I was looking at an 8x12 kit with opaque panels from Costco.
I should also mention that I was looking at an 8x12 kit with opaque panels from Costco.
3 answers
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http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft1_greenhouses_accessories-ft1_small_hobby_greenhouses;d34c89c.html You want to look at a kit that provides good ventilation. You can insulate in the winter by placing bales of straw or bags of mulch that you can use in your gardens next spring. Place them on the outside, going about half way up, stacking them and you can go as high as safety allows on the north side of your structure. I am sure you know your placement is also important when you put your greenhouse up. But here is an excellent publication by W.Virginia County Extension if you need to brush up http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/greenhou/building.htm
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Sep 16, 2012
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You will find a good wrap-up of all the considerations relating to a home greenhouse here: http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=6071
Douglas Hunt
on Sep 17, 2012
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When we ran our greenhouse up here in the mountain we were able to stretch the season by just a few weeks. One big issue with green houses is the temp spike during sunny times...just like in a passive solar home, the prudent use of solar thermal mass can greatly help in this area. I have seen some designs where large bank of water tanks were used to capture the heat...which was then was released at night to moderate the swings.
KMS Woodworks
on Sep 17, 2012
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