Post by Lesli on Mar 30, 2013 12:16:51 GMT -5
WALLS!!!! 4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0DlG8hUHcQ/UVcW_CPjGnI/AAAAAAAAAEM/6j5V_teFZik/s1600/Awesomeness.JPG
The story borrowed from my post on the gardenweb greenhouse forum:
"My wonderfully talented dh is a collector or sorts. He always accepts "stuff" whether he has something already planned for it or not. Quite some time ago, he worked for our local public school and they went through a HUGE renovation. He was at the right place at the right time to collect a lot of "good stuff". They took out all the large alum. windows and replaced them with newer higher tech/effic. windows. DH collected 30+ large alum. windows. They took down the heavy duty galvanized chainlink fencing. He got to collect that also. They tore down many buildings with r-panel siding, he collected the old stuff before they crunched it up, and when they told him they wanted to clean out the bus barn, he did. He was to discard some 3ft pieces of new white r-panel sheet metal that they cut off from the roofing of the bus barn. So he thought he'd build me a greenhouse with all the good stuff. Going by the materials we had and trying to be reasonable also, he is building me a 21'x14'1" greenhouse. Why that weird size? because mostly of the window measurements, that is how it came out... So he is using the galvanized pipe (he is a welder by trade) and bolting it together for future portability for the frame, coupled with these I don't' know what they are 3ft pieces that he said are like metal 2x6's that he welded together to make 21' and 14' long pieces for supporting windows. He is using the 3'white r panel for skirting under the windows and we are buying the clear Suntuf polycarbonate panels for the roof. I have a gazillion solid antique bricks (from the old auditorium) for the floor/pathways. A local garden guru radio talk guy's nursery people suggested we use tar paper instead of weed fabric for the floor and some sort of gravel or mulch to cover. All the windows open and have solar screens they go all the way around thee greenhouse. So I think I have ventilation covered...?
Can you experts look at my descriptions and advise on trouble spots or make any suggestions that would prevent future problems? I am a gardener from way back but new to greenhouse gardening. I have hopes of using it for any silly thing I might think up. I love flowers, starting cuttings of roses, starting seeds. I am a heavy duty veggie gardener, and have a small farmette with my own milk cows/chickens (goats and pigs are gone) I am also considering vermaculture and rabbits to of course go hand in hand and add to my organic gardening/greenhouse.
PS he also "collected" a several hundred foot "board walk -decking" from the portable classrooms that the school used temporarily while the school was being rebuilt. It is all pressure treated, mostly short-ish pieces, but plans to build my greenhouse shelving and benches from these...Thanks for your suggestions and comments.
Well dh has the walls all built and the trusses, and there it sits, waiting for muscles (my sons') and time to work on it and get it all together. He has each wall built and lays them on the ground. He did get my sons who were here yesterday to help move one of the longer walls back to the super huge metal table so he could install the door frame. He has not done that yet, today he had to run to his mom's place to remove a shed roof so the well people could pull the well and fix what ever is wrong with it, tomorrow he has to go to my mother's and do drywall in a newly built on room. It is nice to have a husband that can do so much, but aggravating that he has to do it all for others first.
So when the walls start going up, I will try to add photos! Thanks for all of your comments. We do have vents for the gables, but they are not powered. I may have to work on that particular idea. I plan to use the Suntuf clear polycarbonate roofing panels, but I had thought of alternating with solid sheet metal on every other one on the south side (long side) to give extra shade. And I have looked into the shade paint stuff. I guess I will have to experiment with different things. Those are the tips I need!! love the bug killer tip too thanks! More tips please! I do have tons of old bricks, so I may be doing that esp. the paths and walk ways in the greenhouse and gravel under the plant shelves/benches.I do have a mist/fogging system already, we used to use it for our hog operation, now no more piggies so they will be perfect for my greenhouse, already had that in the plans. Well, the folks who suggested the tar paper instead of weed block are actually running one of the most successful organic nurseries in San Antonio, TX. Said since it is heavier it does not move around as much and keeps the product (sand, gravel/bricks) or what ever from sliding around as much, and as we have Bermuda grass (the bane of my existence, unstoppable, evil, most awful grass to keep out of gardens, and flower beds, large flower pots, etc and yes it will grow through the weed fabric!) that we will be trying to keep out I guess they thought I would be more successful with it instead. And they say it will last a lot longer. Also the soil in my yard is probably more than 4ft deep of a fine sandy loam, heavy on the sandy. DRAINS SUPER WELL. My dh and I have had the same discussion wondering about the tar paper and drainage, but something tells me it wouldn't be quite the issue here as it would be in other types of soil. Dh has suggested putting in a drain in the middle (or created low spot into a drain pipe-- piped under and away from the greenhouse.) Esp. if we do the gravel under like was suggested above with the weed fabric. I imagine that we will probably use the weed fabric instead. But I would sure hate to have to fight the grass for ever and ever...
sorry, Ray, I will try to take a few photos of what we have already, just looks so boring laying on the ground...LOL!!The greenhouse is going up!! I am so excited!! I have posted some of the long awaited photos on my blog.
Lesli
I am so happy. Can't wait for Tuesday when the ridge cap gets here via UPS and they can get the other side of the roof done along with the cap. DH is now "planning" my tables/benches mentally. 
) and now today the guy tells Rich he is going to put in a RV park (for all the oil workers) and back the trailers up against our fence because there is more shade there from OUR trees. I told Rich to just cut them down- all of them. But he won't (for privacy). Supposedly the guy is going to put in a privacy fence. DH is beyond sick about this. He had to go help clear church land of some fallen trees today and tomorrow will go back to work on my mother's new room -dry wall. Mom and I will be going to Costco to buy supplies for Chase's graduation party. 
We have had over 2 inches in the last week. 
woohoo!
