Re: greenhouse


On Monday, April 28, 2003, at 12:05 AM, mediterranean climate gardening e-mail forum for gardeners in these climates throughout the world wrote:

Attached greenhouse / solarium from kit?
	by Susannah <susannah@cyber-dyne.com>
Susannah,

I have built a couple of green houses from kits, and also built one from scratch. There are a few things to consider, especially in a medit climate. I don't know where you are, or how you are planning to use the greenhouse. I use mine mostly for propagation, like a huge unheated cold frame all winter long. (I start seeds in the fridge early fall, germinate by thanksgiving and grow on in the greenhouse trying to get them large enough to plant out by February so they have a chance to be established before the death heat hits.

Ventilation is huge. And, in most mild winter climates, you cannot rely upon passive ventilation (roof vents) to keep the greenhouse cool enough. Most people need ventilation fans on thermostat. This is an important consideration in the kits you buy. Some have ventilation fans, some rely upon ridge vents. The best kit I ever bought, for the price was from Turner Greenhouse. I had a 7X12 attached lean-to that did me admirably for years. The fan that came with it was really too small, however, and had a hard time keeping pace with the heat on a mild sunny January day.

If you have any background in construction at all, you might seriously consider building the greenhouse yourself from twinwall polycarbonate and aluminum trim. This is how we built our last one, and it is awesome. Check out the website at Sundance. (www.sundancesupply.com) They supply all components needed to build a greenhouse, except the frame. They have excellent diagrams on construction needed to build the frame itself from lumber, good info on how to ventilate, and how much ventilation/fan you need. Excellent website for anyone building a greenhouse, better than any of the books I bought. Definitely take a look before you decide to buy a kit. My husband and I built the last greenhouse ourself, and we love it.

Good luck!
Rebecca Lance
Sonora CA
Sunset zone 7-8

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