Getting a "real" greenhouse

The little homemade shack we started all our plants in is quickly filling up so it's time for something bigger. After pricing greenhouse kits, we decided we could get a better deal if we built it ourselves. We wanted something that looked like a "real" greenhouse. The discovery of a hoop bender http://hoopbenders.net/ made the project much easier.



Here are the bent hoops and other materials ready to assemble.

Laying out the footprint. The new greenhouse will be 12' x 25'.

All the post are driven into the ground and ready to be cut off.

After cutting off the post, the hoops are installed.

Attaching the purlin.

The endwalls are framed. 2x4's were attached to the tubing using metal strapping.

Hip boards are attached 4' above ground level. This gives us a point to attach the plastic. Below the hip boards we will have roll-up sides for better ventilation.

We plan to install two more purlins for additional support. This will also provide a place for hanging baskets. After the purlins, it's time to put on the plastic. More photos to come as progress continues.

First homemade greenhouse

Here is our current greenhouse. It's a12x12 wood frame structure on the back of the garage. Not very fancy but it's done the job so far. We put this up last year and have been growing salad mix and lettuce in it all winter. We put shelves above the beds of greens. On the back wall of the greenhouse (above) there is a plastic curtain that rolls down and zips. At night we can put the plants back on the shelves, close the curtain and a small heater will keep the space nice and warm.

We've been busy potting up plants and have outgrown the shelves on the back wall. Now we are committed to keeping the whole space heated. It's supposed to be pretty cold tonight. I hope it stays warm enough (gulp).

Turning a hobby garden into an organic market garden.

After a few years of growing a garden for ourselves we decided this year it was time to have an organic market garden and greenhouse. This blog is intended to show our experiences as we learn and grow.