Greenhouse....? What's it worth...?

[Wee]

Anybody have a greenhouse like this one....? It's 9x14 and about as ugly as I have seen. I'm not sure how much usable sunlight would even get thru this thing, it looks like the headlight lenses on an old dodge intrepid.

Brian

 

[Redwood Ryan]

$10 and an unrooted Ficus microcarpa cutting.

 

[jkd2572]

Better than the one I have, which is not one. I would deck that thing out with lights and heaters. It's very ugly, but I'm still jealous.

 

[Wee]

Jemery....I haven't bought it....Yet.....But what would be the point in putting lights in a greenhouse....? I'm not trying to grow pot...LOL

Ryan....I don't even know what a....Ficus microcarpa is. If it were just $10 it would be in my yard this weekend....Hell it might just show up anyway. They are asking $250.

Brian

 

[edprocoat]

Spray it with some bleach and hit it with a pressure cleaner and it will be much brighter inside. I still think you will need supplemental lighting if you are keeping your plants in there full time, but if its for winter protection its a bargain for $250.

ed

 

[tmmason10]

I think $250 is fair for winter storage. I need one for next year, you should be able to keep dormant trees out of the freeze and wind.

 

[Cypress]

build your own

If you have the time and it seems like it would be an interesting project... why not see if you can build your own from salvaged materials. People are removing old windows from their homes all the time. Don't know if you have any "Re-Stores" in your area but that'd be a good place to start. Just an idea. it's definitely something I would like to do when I actually own some property of my own. It wouldn't cost much monetarily if you do it right, it's just the time commitment that would be the big thing.

Check this out, some really great examples: http://www.inspirationgreen.com/greenhouses-made-from-old-windows-and-doors.html

But yea, that thing is butt ugly.

 

[Waldo Street Pottery]

We're not all that handy but webuilt our own using a $99 frame kit. We used it as a guide but augmented where we needed for strength and to make it bigger and used recycled windows for walls. The pic is of it close to completion and we've had it for 2 seasons. It's 8'x14' and the shelves are pretty full and our hanging baskets hang from the rafters. This summer we took out the gravel floor and lined it with metal screen to keep the tunneling chipmunks out, something to consider if you have them around.

 

[JudyB]

Depends on how fast you need winter protection. If you need it now, it could be a bargain. If you are looking for next year, there are better options out there. Most are either more expensive prebuilt, or cheaper if you build it. But if you are doing winter protection, you would want something opaque like this, as sun is your enemy in the winter.

 

[Poink88]

Not a show winner but looks like built like a tank. I'd haggle and get it if I were you. Good luck!

 

[Dav4]

My question is.....do you need it? The winters around here are relatively short compared to those up north, typically lasting from December until February. We can get temps in the single digits, very uncommon though, and most night time lows barely hit freezing. Last frost date is usually in April, though I've planted out tomatoes in March 2 years in a row without issue. If you're working with cold hardy species, it might not be necesary. I'd be more interested in a lathe house to protect against wind and summer sun.

By the way, it does look sturdy enough and is probably worth what is being asked for it.

 

[Wee]

No I don't really need it....I don't ever see myself having tropicals...I was thinking more along the lines of wintering trees, keeping them out of torrential rain and storms. Maybe even set up a nice work table to repot and wire without worrying about getting dirt everywhere in the shed. The shed is also a dog house so anything I put in there has to be out of his reach and the shelves are already full so as I get more trees that option will diminish.

Brian

 

[pwk5017]

If you have the time and it seems like it would be an interesting project... why not see if you can build your own from salvaged materials. People are removing old windows from their homes all the time. Don't know if you have any "Re-Stores" in your area but that'd be a good place to start. Just an idea. it's definitely something I would like to do when I actually own some property of my own. It wouldn't cost much monetarily if you do it right, it's just the time commitment that would be the big thing.

Check this out, some really great examples: http://www.inspirationgreen.com/greenhouses-made-from-old-windows-and-doors.html

But yea, that thing is butt ugly.

This link is awesome, thanks.

 

[JudyB]

That link is cool, but glass isn't something I'd recommend for the overwintering house. I had a clear triplewall unit before we built the current one, and I learned my lesson about sun, and heat buildup.
But for those of us in colder climates, I think it's something everyone could benefit from. It allows me to work on my trees in the dead of winter, with no worries about it. I also don't have to be concerned with the weather (except for long warm spells) at all. The only thing I do have to do is keep an eye on watering more. I find with the heat mats, I have to water more frequently than my outdoor stored trees.

 

[discusmike]

Be careful with dormant trees in a greenhouse, if they get to much sunlight they can come out of dormancy early, that looks fine for overwintering.

 

[pwk5017]

That link is cool, but glass isn't something I'd recommend for the overwintering house. I had a clear triplewall unit before we built the current one, and I learned my lesson about sun, and heat buildup.
But for those of us in colder climates, I think it's something everyone could benefit from. It allows me to work on my trees in the dead of winter, with no worries about it. I also don't have to be concerned with the weather (except for long warm spells) at all. The only thing I do have to do is keep an eye on watering more. I find with the heat mats, I have to water more frequently than my outdoor stored trees.

One of the main reasons I want a storage facility in the near future is for the reason you just mentioned. It would be very convenient to work on trees out of the elements and at night. I have had a few repotting sessions in the rain just to repot everything within the narrow time frame. It will most likely be a detached garage/large shed(because of the light reasons you mentioned), but those were some cool structures out of reclaimed materials.

The OP's structure would work well, but it is an eyesore. Better to spend a little more and have something that serves the purpose you need and looks attractive.