Decent greenhouse kits?

[wharf_rat78]

Does anyone have any experience with any of the greenhouse “kit” builds available? I’m seeing a pretty broad array of kits from 1k-10k for 12x8-or-so size, and wondering if anyone here uses one?

I’m interested in extending the season, overwintering, and also seed starting for veggies etc.

 

[penumbra]

You might first check with local builders. We have quite a few Amish and Mennonites here in VA, and I suspect you do too. At least two local Amish builders make greenhouses which will outlast and kit.

 

[wharf_rat78]

You might first check with local builders. We have quite a few Amish and Mennonites here in VA, and I suspect you do too. At least two local Amish builders make greenhouses which will outlast and kit.

Oh I’m sure it’d be much better. Within budget? I wish!

 

[penumbra]

Oh I’m sure it’d be much better. Within budget? I wish!

They looked like a good value to me, about $4,000 and up. I almost bought a kit but they are pretty flimsy.

 

[Balbs]

I have a palram 6x8. I’ve had it for about eight years. It’s held up well, no complaints about the build quality for the low price. The temperature swings are difficult to manage. It gets very hot in the daytime if the sun is out and normally gets within a few degrees of the nightly low temperatures. You can extend your growing season but you have to stay on top of the temp swings. Automatic vents and automatic watering are a must for me. Tropicals love the humidity in summer.

Seed starting and overwintering have been a struggle because of the temp swings.

 

[Shibui]

Seed starting and overwintering have been a struggle because of the temp swings.

Have you tried adding lots of thermal mass? Containers of water absorb heat in the day and slowly release it when temps drop, which can help keep night time temps up a bit and may even reduce over-heating on sunny days.
Rock, pavers or concrete are other good heat banks you may be able to source.

 

[hampton]

I ended up building a greenhouse after evaluating the kits. There’s been a bit to learn but with removable side panels its helped with the mid summer heat.

The thermal heat sink is a good route, I added a large basin under one of my benches, need to get another before winter.

All that to to say - it won’t resolve all your overwintering worries, just introduce different ones. I would recommend it, it’s my

 

[Balbs]

Have you tried adding lots of thermal mass? Containers of water absorb heat in the day and slowly release it when temps drop, which can help keep night time temps up a bit and may even reduce over-heating on sunny days.
Rock, pavers or concrete are other good heat banks you may be able to source.

The floor of my greenhouse I did add pavers, and it does stay warmer on the floor, so when the temps are close to freezing overnight it’s usually enough to just put plants on the ground. I ‘tried’ buckets of water once but it was a pretty half-hearted attempt. I only had a few buckets on hand so that’s what I used. Not enough to make a difference.

 

[Coppersdad]

I built a Climapod https://climapod.com/ from their kit a few years ago and have been very pleased. The kits are aluminum framed and imported from China. They have a number of size options. I chose a 9x14 since during my research I learned the biggest regret most folks have is that they didn't build a larger one. You will need to determine if the unit will be suitable for your weather conditions or go broke heating it in the winter.

Certainly the cost will impact your budget for obtaining more tree material.
I justified my purchase to my bride by offering her half the space for her flowers.
I'm not ashamed to tell you all why I did that: Half a greenhouse is much much better than no greenhouse at all!!

 

[pandacular]

I justified my purchase to my bride by offering her half the space for her flowers.

Recently, I asked my girlfriend if we should someday get a greenhouse. She practically teared up and said "I never thought you'd ask!" I knew nothing about plants before we started dating, and now between us we have about 40 house plants that have taken over our home. There's no way I'd want to have a greenhouse without providing space for her plants.

Never be ashamed of doing things that make your wife happy.

 

[BrianBay9]

The floor of my greenhouse I did add pavers, and it does stay warmer on the floor, so when the temps are close to freezing overnight it’s usually enough to just put plants on the ground. I ‘tried’ buckets of water once but it was a pretty half-hearted attempt. I only had a few buckets on hand so that’s what I used. Not enough to make a difference.

I used 50 gallon barrels full of water as shelf supports. Works wonders

 

[wharf_rat78]

All helpful replies - thank you! Here in North Carolina, all of my trees last year and the year before survived the winter in an unsightly clump in a corner of the yard with mulch / leaves up to their trunks. Gets down to low teens once or twice usually.

That said, I’m wondering how with virtually any enclosure, and a small greenhouse heater, I would have a problem with keeping things warm enough in my climate. I suppose a swing to high temps during the day in the middle of winter with the sun would screw things up.

Let me know if I am missing something! And thanks again for the insight.

 

[Shibui]

The floor of my greenhouse I did add pavers, and it does stay warmer on the floor, so when the temps are close to freezing overnight it’s usually enough to just put plants on the ground. I ‘tried’ buckets of water once but it was a pretty half-hearted attempt. I only had a few buckets on hand so that’s what I used. Not enough to make a difference.

There's probably a sweet spot for any given space but i work on the more the better. I collect 20 litre plastic carboys for water. They stack neatly under the benches and with screw caps no mosquito problem like open buckets of water.

I used 50 gallon barrels full of water as shelf supports. Works wonders

Another great water stored heat sink. Each 50 gal barrel equates to 10 of my 20 litre containers. A few of those would absorb a lot of daytime heat and keep the inside warm at night.

Also be aware that cooling rate is related to surface area. Smaller green hoses have larger surface to volume ratio and cool rapidly. The larger the space the more stable it will be.

 

[waydeo]

I have been researching climapod greenhouses and like the 9'x12' .I can get power, but I would have to use 50 gal. drums and a small pump to get water for use in the greenhouse and maybe some supplemental heat sinks during winter.
Anyone tried a setup like this ?

 

[Eckhoffw]

Second year with this 10x12 harbor freight kit. So far, I love it!

10 ft. x 12 ft. Greenhouse with 4 Vents

Amazing deals on this 10Ft X 12Ft Greenhouse With 4 Vents at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I use sealed water barrels for heat sinks in winter. Greenhouse floor is cement pavers and compacted gray trap rock between.

Plants overwintered great on the ground -under benches with wood chips between plants. I did have to rake heavy snow off the roof as it starts to sag the roof. This however made a nice insulation layer at the 2 side walls where the plants are.

 

[waydeo]

The harbor freight greenhouse is on my short list to look at.
Im glad I don't have to worry about that much snow. We got about 2" of snow last year. Lasted about 2 days. I like the sealed barrel idea.

 

[pandacular]

How's this one holding up going into winter #3?

 

[Coppersdad]

So sorry

I have been researching climapod greenhouses and like the 9'x12' .I can get power, but I would have to use 50 gal. drums and a small pump to get water for use in the greenhouse and maybe some supplemental heat sinks during winter.
Anyone tried a setup like this ?

I missed your post earlier this year. I have that specific Climapod 9x14 greenhouse and a bonsai friend about 10 city blocks from me has the same one.
(We chose that one after reading comments that said the only regret a greenhouse owner/builder has was that they didn't choose a larger one at the start.)
I found the importer very easy to deal with. The structure was very easy to install. I did hire someone to lay the foundation of treated 4x4's with sunken 4x4 anchor posts. I chose 2 inch washed granite as the floor, 6-8 inches deep. It drains very well and does act as a significant heat sink in our winters.

I was 75 years old at the time. I built the entire structure alone, also laying two 15 amp circuits for heat and light. The instructions are very clear and planning to calk every seam during construction is important. It also helps to work on a couple of sheets of plywood on sawhorses for assembly.

We're near Seattle and it works well in our 8b-9a climate. We use it from October through May. My seeds for bonsai are started usually in October and I must move them out in March and April when my bride begins to use the building for her flowers and vegetables.

When our weather dips below 34 degrees, I start a 15 amp electric heater to supplement the heated mats under the seed trays. Fortunately, this only adds a small amount to our electric bill.

If we still lived in northern Illinois, I would strongly consider a thicker plastic sheeting for the walls. We are fortunate that our climate is as mild as it is. I remember that harsh Illinois/Wisconsin winter weather and I know how long those freezes can last.

Good luck whatever you've decided.