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Cahenry
My Favorite Photo
My Weather
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 07:48 am: |   
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Last year, for my birthday, my DH decided to get me a greenhouse. That was July. We did quite a bit of research about materials vs. expense and decided on this Rion kit (8 1/2 ft. x 12 1/2 ft.) because it looked like something we could do ourselves.
 I knew from the start that the foundation was the hardest part - in physical labor. We don't have a level area in our yard. I picked the site because it gets morning to early afternoon sun, is completely sheltered from the late afternoon sun and is shielded from the wind. It also doesn't interfere with our septic system. Its about 12 feet from our basement back door, 15 feet from the water spigot and less than 30 feet from the gas line to the grill.
The kit arrive by UPS, in late August, in about 6 large but manageable boxes. I set them in our unfinished basement while I figured out the assembly instructions.
 
The first project was building the foundation. We decided on 6 x 6 landscape timbers set back into the grade and secured with rebar. The toughest part was hauling 10 and 12 foot timbers to the sight. Cutting and drilling them was challenging too. The results were very satisfactory, however - square and level.
  
Then we attached the bottom frame to the foundation with the longest deck screws that would fit through holes in the molded base pieces. This baby isn't going anywhere.
I assembled the sided and most of the top myself although I did need help attaching some of the wiring in the roof that provides tension. Lifting and placing the roof onto the sides actually required three people. The sides fit to the top VERY snuggly.
  
I use wood mulch over landscape fabric as flooring and the floor is not level. There is a gravel layer under the lowest part and drainage gaps through the foundation. (I have worked in a lot of gravel floored greenhouses and decided to do something else.) The mulch works fine. When it needs a change I can pull it out and add it to my lasagna beds.
  
I built the benches with horticultural snow fence and they are level. The legs are varying lengths to compensate for the slanting floor. In early November we installed a gas heater with the help of Uncle Bob. Its easily detachable with a gas shutoff in the greenhouse and at the gas line connection. This is what it looks like now. The project for this spring/summer is running power and installing exhaust fan(s). Oh, and planting, planting, planting.
cahenry (Cathy) GA Zone 7 |
Janet43945
My Weather
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 06:08 am: |
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Oh that is very nice,a dream come true for you.Now the fun begins.Looks like you had a lot of help,including your pup.Another thing I have on my wish list.
JANET OHIO zone 5 |
Fbonsailady
My Favorite Photo
My Weather
My Time
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 09:32 am: |
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That's a beautiful greenhouse Cathy and it looks as if you are making good use of it. Originally I had one and my enthusiasm ran away with me so 2 years later bought the 2nd. one. They are a wonderful asset when you're a keen gardener.
Kath.zone 8b. UK. |
Jak3
My Weather
| | Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 04:04 am: |
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Your greenhouse looks great, and it is nice that it was a family project - makes it just a touch more special to have such caring support! I like your yard fence too!
Julie; Merrickville, Ontario, Canada, Zone 4 |
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