Greenhouse recommendations and pictures

[randy41]

i've got 3 hoophouses and a high tunnel. they are all tubular steel covered with 6 mil poly. i can grow veggies all year round in them with out any artificial heating. this is zone 7a. many farmers in much colder zones do the same. you can see pictures on my farm's facebook page...Indian Valley Farms. i bought a kit for the high tunnel that's 26x48. the kit cost $4600. it also cost to have the land leveled, endwall lumber, concrete for the ground posts, and endwall temperature controlled shutters. i built a 12x100 hoophouse using the johnnys bender (see it at the johnnys seeds website)and chain link fence top rails. total cost of that was about $2500. another hoophouse is 14x32 and the other is 10x48. the first step is decide what you want to grow and when, and if you want to plant in containers or in the ground. i plant in the ground.

 

[TnAndy]

Our first greenhouse is a small 12x20 model, earth bermed into the mountain above our home. Laid 12" block in a cut in the north side, built the trusses out of 2x6 treated lumber, used 16mm triple wall polycarbonate (Lexan) panels for the glazing.

 

[TnAndy]

The next one is a hoophouse with permanent raised beds around the inside...tall enough so there is little bending. 20'x36'.
Hoops are homemade out of white oak.

Temporary table for making the hoops:

 

[Stimw]

Did you grow directly in the ground? HS

No, I tried using 2' high tables. I just could not control the temp and didn't want to spent the money for fans or heat.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

TnAndy,

How does the white oak hoops hold up to the moisture?

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Make no mistake the greenhouse will be a major or central part of the landscape and add value to the property. There is a little self sufficient stuff there too. HS

What manufactures have you looked at? If you want this type for you landscape and to complement you home I have some links at home for this type of greenhouse. I can post but don't want to post what you already have considered.

 

[houstonscott]

What manufactures have you looked at? If you want this type for you landscape and to complement you home I have some links at home for this type of greenhouse. I can post but don't want to post what you already have considered.

http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/cape-cod-twin.shtml.
Looked at all these brands, plus a Texas company, when I found the Hartley greenhouses I really found the look I wanted.
http://www.hartley-botanic.com. HS

 

[jymbee]

I can post but don't want to post what you already have considered.

Post away! I expect there's others like myself reading this thread who would appreciate any such info. :thumbsup:

 

[ArtMech]

For your idea collection take a look at this:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/191421-hoophouse-project.html
Mine is very well working for my family. I'm able to lift it with extended 3ph forks and put down on the tilled soil. The idea is I'm not changing the soil (or compost) inside, what I should do if the greenhouse would be stationary. I'm tilling wherever I want and place a greenhouse wherever I or my Mrs decide. Among other greens we are growing even watermelon seedlings in it. Have posted pics in the other thread.

 

[forgeblast]

TnAndy awesome set up!!
OP you may want to look at solar thermal greenhouses which would be similar to Tnandys first greenhouse. Look at builditsolar.com they have a lot of plans.