pictures of my greenhouse

[casino]

Hi everyone, I just finished building my greenhouse. How does it look. It took me 2 years to complete. I started in October 2010 but I was not able to finish it before the snow started to fly. I tried to finish building the greenhouse in March 2011 hoping to have it finished before I planted any seeds. But that never happened the spring was wet and it was very cold. The portion that was not complete I put a large tarp over the unfinished portion, put in a space heater and that got me through the spring. This summer, I started to finish building the greenhouse only to discover the deck screws were not rustproof and this structure was going to fall apart. So I broke everything down to ground level. My neighbors thought I was crazy but I purchased the good screws built it even better than the original plan and now its finished. I am going to love this greenhouse when planting time arrives. I can place 64 seed trays x 18 seedlings per tray. The greenhouse is 8 feet x 17 feet (the inside dimension is a little smaller) but big enough for me. One of the pics shows my cold frame box that I have used for years. Now I have a real greenhouse.

[saltmarsh]

Really looks good. Let the fun begin. Claud

[ddsack]

That is beautiful! Nice plan, that would be the perfect size for me too! I'd be holed up in there with a chair and a book, watching the snow fly and waiting for spring.

[b54red]

Very nice. Submit some pics in the spring when it is full of seedlings and it is very cold outside. That is when a greenhouse is really looking its' best.

[casino]

ddsack, your comment, Watch the snow fly, that makes me laugh because watching the snow fly could be tonight. We are under our first snow advisory in the Detroit area, 1-3 inches expected. Up to 5 inches in Lansing our state capital. My friends suggested that in the winter we remove the benches and put in patio furniture and have a summer party.

[kath]

It's a beauty, Joe- congratulations on its completion! I'm sure you'll find ways to enjoy it year round. I'm taking a close look at your cold frame box and getting ideas...

kath

[KLorentz]

Good job Joe!! I would be happy . Here in Jerome we expecting 6-8 inches of snow..



Kevin

[lakelady]

Very pretty greenhouse, it's obvious you put a lot of thought and effort into it, and it looks great! Thanks for sharing the pictures with us!

[carolyn137]

Just two questions.

What are you doing for heat?

What's the name of that wonderful doggie you're holding and did he or she in any way help with the greenhouse going up?

[Heritage]

Beautifully crafted, Joe. You'll get a lot of use out of it!

[clkeiper]

Looks great. I was wondering where you got your benches from and do the side windows or top ones open for ventilation?

[casino]

How this project came together. The greenhouse is built from 100% recycled materials. This has kept the cost way down but a logistics nightmare when trying to piece together glass panels that were made from different sizes. One giant jig saw puzzle. The size of the greenhouse was determined by what kind of materials I had on hand. I did not plan on an 8x17 greenhouse it just came out that way, but I did not want any bigger either. If I want bigger I will build a hoop house.

The side panels are made from used sliding glass door walls. They do not open. The roof glass panels are made from mobile home storm windows. All the storm windows open up for ventilation and there is a little water problem dripping inside when it rains. Storm windows are meant to be hung vertically not at a 45 degree angle. I was short 2 storm windows and I purchased them from a mobile home re-cycled supply store to complete the roof. For the odd shaped windows I used heavy duty plexi-glass that came from the dumpster at a local industrial park. That was a great find and heavy. A little scratched but who cares it’s a greenhouse. I covered the roof glass storm windows with a big sheet of plastic and no more leaks. When I want ventilation I roll up the plastic and open up the windows.

The base is made from treated 4x4’s purchased from a garage sale. The 18 inch wood frame is made from recycled 2x6’s and whatever treated lumber that was needed for the base was purchased from the big box store. The wood deck paint came from the big box customer return clearance rack. I got lucky on the color.
The flooring is belt material that came from a dumpster (a find years ago) and stored in my garage. The fiberglass benches came from a liquidation sale when “Frank’s Nursery (a local nursery) that went out of business and a liquidator sold all the store supplies. I was lucky I got the last 4 benches.

I purchased a beautiful door from Habitat for Humanity 140 dollars, lead glass everything, but did not use it. It was too big. I gave the door to my sister who really needed a front door and it was a perfect match for her house. The door I am using is an old wood door (you got it) found in the trash on garbage day. It’s nice to have a van. It was a solid wood door, perfect for cutting back to match the greenhouse frame. I purchased hardware and weather stripping. The real cost came from all the deck screws, no nails were used and all the silicone caulk, 6 dollars a tube yikes. Screws and caulk came out to about 150 dollars. I bought the good stuff.

The plant trays came from the City when they planted all their spring flowers and I asked them to save the trays for me and they did, so now I have plenty of trays for starting my tomato plants. It’s nice to have a lot of one size tray.

The dogs name is Max, a Bichon Frise and a new addition to the family about 4 months ago. He is also re-cycled; he is a rescue dog and perfect. Not from an abused home but from a home where the owner died from a motor cycle accident. Max gets a back rub every day and he is fearless, he keeps the backyard free from animals that want to hide out in my yard. It’s funny watching MAX chase a deer out of the yard. Fearless and loveable. Bichon Frise is French for fluffy lap dog and that’s what they are. Max did help out building the greenhouse, Max had to sniff every board used and gave me the doggie sniff test approval.

For heat: I use a big electric space heater. I run a heavy duty extension cord and so far that’s all I need. I have purchased (OMG I bought something) a 100 foot roll of 10/2 exterior wire (on clearance, open package) and when time allows I will wire up the greenhouse and still use a space heater. I have an all electric house, no gas line to plug into. No plans yet to make this a year round greenhouse but someday?

The cold frame is made from re-cycled windows that open. I removed the hinges but kept the locks on. I screwed the panels together by using a 2x4x10 frame and topped it off with a sheet of heavy duty plastic (with center support). For ventilation I slide the plastic panel over, reach inside, unlock the window, push it open and slide it over. To lock up, slide the glass panel back into place, reach inside and secure the lock, now its tight. Slide the top plastic panel over into place and that's it. Easy easy. P.S. This is where I keep my orchid plants for the summer.

Sorry for all the "words" overload but I am quite proud of this project. Can't wait for spring.

[DiggingDogFarm]

Beautiful greenhouse!
I'm envious!

[mrdoitall]

Great work casino! I love my greenhouse. It's only 8x8 but I'm planning to expand it this summer to 8x14 I got more storm windows. LOL

[jlwalke12]

Awesome greenhouse!!!