I Need An Affordable Greenhouse

[z5guy]

Just like the title says, i need and want a greenhouse, but im not rich so i need some ideas on a affordable greenhouse that i can successfuly propagate plants in. can u guys help me out some?? thanks.

[donybee]

It would depend on how much you actually want to spend and just how handy you are at building. I was lucky to buy an old used greenhouse. I dug my own footer, mixed thr concete and poured the footer. I then built up with cement blocks. All I have left of the original greenhouse is the end glass. I rebuilt it wih treated lumber and used corrugated fiberglass panels for the roof. The panes cost about 15 to 20 dollars apiece. My greenhouse is 10 x 16 and is attached to my house on the south end. I used 4x4's for the main supports and insulate with plastic in the winter as I keep it heated. I'll try and get a few pic's to show you.

[donybee]

Here's one pic:

[mla2ofus]

It depends too on if you want one that is heated through the winter. In zone 5 that could get expensive so the cost of building one that would retain more heat would make the cost go up. If you want one just to start plants a little earlier you could build one out of PVC pipe and plastic. Another alternative would be a heated cold frame. They are small enough that you could double glaze it and it wouldn't be that large to break the bank to keep it heated.

[yellow22]

Look around and keep an eye out for an old one that's not in use and knock on the door and ask. Most where put togther as kits and easy to move. I got mine for 100 bucks used. All that was needed was greenhouse puddy to seal the glass to the metal, save all the clips if you find one...that's the difference. It's almost impossible to secure it any other way. Some cleaning of the glass is involved.

Other than that what ever you do invest in the propper plastic covering. Don't skimp there. Check out your local yellow pages for a growers supply company for prices. Most will sell if you ask, wholesale, especially if your part of a garden club.

There are kits that sell the metal brackets and you'll have to scarf around for wood...that would be the cheapest I would think and the sturdiest.

I can't see paying over 1,000 for one a small one. You could at least expect to spend a few hundred to do it right.

Other than that if you look for car port wavey material at the home centers....it's not totally clear but very durable for a roof. There's also some plastic that has chambers between for retaining heat from greenhouse companies, not sure what that's called.

I hope you find an afordable solution.

[z5guy]

thanks, im guessing you guys all built your own greenhouses? how do they work? can you germinate seeds and root cuttings in them??

[yellow22]

You'll be doing all the work for sure...the greenhouse works for you...but not really....That's the magic to trap heat and bring in the sun....

I'm sure with a baggy over your hand I'm not kidding in almost sub zero with a clentched fist a seedling would sprout...almost

I saw some stuff I used to use when I first started and it would be wise to concider the safety but I did...a water mattrice heater & pad with a theromstat, candles,and halogens light kicks some heat off big time.

When do you ancitpate growing? Got a closet.

[donybee]

I'm in a co;d zone 5 and I heat mine with a DeLongi oil filled electic heater. I don't start seeds until the end of Feb. tho and cuttings about the same tme.

[DandyLioness]

I bought mine, but had to put the puzzle pieces together. I love it!

[z5guy]

thanks guys, nice greenhouse dandy, were did u get it??

[MrSeedy]

The cheapest kinds to build are the ones with the polyethelene plastic wrap covering , but that needs to be replaced after a few years, and on a fairly regular basis, since it does break down form UV, and heat and cold etc. And there are some made just with a few 2X4's and by bending PVC into arch shaped supports to hold up the plastic, but they're also the poorest for insulation value , so wouldn't stay very warm for starting warm season stuff, without considerable extra heating.
I guesss they're sometimes called "HOOP HOUSES", and they don't allow the maximum amount of light in , and aren't terribly attractive for a neighborhood setting. Might not be allowed in some towns because of the appearance, I'd guess.

[z5guy]

well im looking for something thats would allow lots of light and good insulation in the winter, so that i can heat it.

[Rich]

There are cheap plastic greenhouses with a zip up front and shelves inside. You can also get parafin heaters to go in them.

They retail between ?20 and ?40 here. That's $36 - $72.

It would be a cheap and easy start while you save up to get something more substantial.

Look on eBay there are plenty of them there.

[z5guy]

thanks rich, hey mr. seedy ive seen wholesalers with greenhouse with the plastice stuff on it, is that polythene?

[Rich]

Polytunnels

[z5guy]

thats what i thought, they seem to work great.

[Rich]

They're OK if you have the space and don't live in a wind funnel like I do.

[z5guy]

i dont live in a wind funnel (must times) so maybe that would do good for me. but where to find this stuff? either in a kit or indivual materials.

[Rich]

Try looking at the bottom of this page or ebay or google. Probably all three.

I can't say which ads at the bottom of the page are best because I get different adverts to you , being in England.

[z5guy]

o, ok, thanks rich :)