Finishing up the Greenhouse and just in Time!
By greenthumb
15 comments
So, this weekend I went out and got the roof materials for the greenhouse. The snow has since melted completely away, leaving just the mat of last years grass.
I chose a simple 2×4 frame roof slanting up away from the usual direction of the wind. (Now and then a big wind could lift it right off and throw the greenhouse.) The front frame I covered with acrylic mesh so I would have good venting without letting in the scurge of mosquito that has already begun. I’m posting a little pic of the early monsters that are around for reference.
Once the roof was secured I pulled out the plastic and began covering. The sheeting was just smaller than the top in all directions so this took some work to adjust and re-adjust until I felt the place was properly sealed up and protected from catching any big gusts that may tear it apart. Note: the vent is already venting!
Now there is nothing left but to load it up with plants. I moved everything out the next day to get their first taste of the sun. Though they appreciated it, they weren’t all so pleased to be exposed. Hardening off is tough love around here. :-)
These days have been so abnormally hot. I got a bit of burn during the construction, nothing that lasted overnight. I left the doors propped open so they wouldn’t cook. A nice breeze has been moving about so they all seemed content. And I could look at my accomplishment with pride.
The next day, alaska reality had already set in. Not quite so hot and not quite enough warmth to trust them out all night on their own. So now i’ve closed up the doors (still brainstorming a good way to do this since the breeze loves pushing them open) and put in a space heater and fan so they can all stay cozy. The one day of running back and forth when I have double or triple my usual stock this time of year was enough for me. So glad to have this completed and so very proud of my work. Even the itchy eyes and stuffy nose of the leaves popping cannot damper my spirit. :-)
5 May, 2009
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Comments
Thank you Gilli, I feel rather accomplished. The doors are just long enough. I have last years 5 gallon tomato pot holding it shut. :-) And the space heater and fan are out there sounding industrious. :-) I'm wondering if I should strap a bamboo rod along each door so the edge holds better.
5 May, 2009
lookin good GT. they will be cosy in there. i can see the idea of the bamboo . souds good to me.
5 May, 2009
That's great. Now it's coming along wonderful. You have a right to be so proud :o)
5 May, 2009
Oh, well done. That looks brilliant, GT. Quite an accomplishment. The bamboo to stiffen the doors sounds like a good idea too.
5 May, 2009
You're right to be proud of your handiwork, GT. It looks great and your plants will flourish. Like your idea of using a bamboo cane to stiffen the door, should work well.
5 May, 2009
Looking great! Glad to see all your snow has gone. In the process of hardening off here too - poor things...
5 May, 2009
Well done , you should be proud of what you've done.
5 May, 2009
Well done. Wish I had one like that!
5 May, 2009
looking great GT, will the grass soon start to get green again, will you have to cut the brown grass away first, looks like your in for some hard work GT, glad your greenhouse was a success :o))
5 May, 2009
Well done Greenthumb,hope everything stays cosy in there but how will you sleep without all your babes close by? lol....
5 May, 2009
Bet you're excited now Gt.....you've done well there with the greenhouse, all ready now for the SUNSHINE.....I said SUNSHINE!! Do you think it got the message Gt.....Lol!
5 May, 2009
Thank you all for reading and all the feedback. :-) A great accomplishment and just in time, the weather has cooled. I've actually put a whole sheet across the front for a better seal. Lincslass, I barely sleep a wink. :-) They are all trying very hard to please me, the troopers. I've turned up the heater. :-) All the grass is wild Sanbaz, and it'll just stay as it is. You wont even see the brown in a month. I just pull the wild raspberries out of the mass so they can be protected from my clipper. I hope it heard you Janey. We've had wonderful piles of sun, but for now it is gone. I hope for a quick return.
6 May, 2009
I'm new so first time to see your greenhouse. What a smart idea.....and lots of
hard work. It looks real good !
21 Apr, 2010
Second year now, thank you Sc. Its still holding up and I've got things out spending the day already. We're early so far. Its been nice and hot in there through the early day.
21 Apr, 2010
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Well done GT. It looks fantastic. I know what you mean about moving pots in and out of the greenhouse. At the moment I do that every morning and afternoon with the tender plants at work. Phew!!!! Hard work.
Are the doors long enough to put a couple of rocks on the ends to stop them blowing open?
5 May, 2009