Greenhouse for under $25

Discussion in 'Back to Basics' started by ozarkgoatman, Nov 4, 2007.


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  1. ozarkgoatman

    ozarkgoatman Resident goat herder

    We built this greenhouse for under $25. All of the wood is just slab wood from the our sawmill, the door is just something we never got around to dragging down to the burn pit, I bought the plastic for about $19, and we used about 1lb of nails to nail it all together. Add a little gas and oil for the chainsaw to cut the boards to length and notch them for the ends and there you have it a 112 sq foot greenhouse for under 25 FRN's


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    Our daughter painting the door.

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    Veggies growing to supply us with winter greens.


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    OGM
     
  2. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    "Our winter garden." Neat. Any idea how low the ourside temps can get without killing the plants? Have you a way to heat it?
     
  3. wildernessgal

    wildernessgal Backwoods is a callin'

    Our "Hillbilly Greenhouse" for under $25!!! WOO HOO!

    I'm so glad that you (<--OGM ='s hubbie) finally started this thread, as I am sure many will find the pics of our "Hillbilly Greenhouse" useful/inspiring! If we didn't have the scrap wood from the sawmill, I would've just cut down some smaller trees from the backwoods and done the same... nothing fancy, just so it would work/feed us through the winter season! ;)

    For us, the inspiration came from the book which I MONKEY BLOGGED about the other day (Nov. 3rd = yesterday) called:

    FOUR SEASON HARVEST
    By Author ELIOT COLEMAN

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    If you go to MY MONKEY BLOG ENTRY with the same title, I have a lot more info on the above described book ... if it interests anyone.
    The author (who resides in Maine of all places) really gives much detailed advice about how to garden in a greenhouse, and what types of varieties do well in it/grow throughout the winter season to feed yourself/family. Thus far we've got hardy stinging nettles (<-healthier version of spinach/a spinach substitute),cabbage, radish, beets, miner's lettuce, corn salad, hardy welsh scallions, kale, purslane, spinach, french sorrel, parsley, brocolli raab, lettuce... The beet top salad we had the other night was absolutely scrumptious!!!! Imagine all of that, and it took only a few hours work to build the darn thing outta bits n' pieces... quite a deal for sure!!!!

    So while the outdoor garden is mostly gone with the arrival of the cold. Our cheap/quickie greenhouse on the southern side of our house is taking over... These photos aren't super current and are from a few weeks back. I shall see about taking some newer ones to share in the not too distant future! :)

    These next days I want to finish planting the 2 middle sections of the greenhouse/tranplant my other little plants which I started indoors in my old aquariums near the window. FUN,FUN,FUN & PRACTICAL!!!!!

    Can't ya tell, that I HAVE A PASSION FOR THE DIRT!? he,he,he

    If anyone decides to "give it a go" and has any questions, feel free to ask and we'll do our best to help!

    ~W~

    P.S.- Here's another pic below to share:


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    Almost all of the leaves on the tree to the south have finally fallen, so now everything has got even more light. The only thing which one really needs to pay attention to, is opening it up (the door/other end) to keep everything from cooking, as it really heats up in there on it's own ~ just with the sunshine. So far I LOVE IT, as weeding isn't as bad/doesn't really amount to anything, and bugs aren't much of an issue either! Woo Hoo... now this is my kind of GARDENING!!!!! (<--minus the awful 100+ heat we had here this summer Blech!?!?!)

    P.P.S- My overall first choice are WILD EDIBLES, as they are a plenty & maintenance free /don't cost a $$$$ thing... but in winter when there's less to be had, this is an OUTSTANDING OPTION ! You'd be amazed as it's really quite easy! :)
     
  4. wildernessgal

    wildernessgal Backwoods is a callin'


    GHRIT many varieties will grow without any additional heat like the welsh scallions, corn salad, miners lettuce...

    By putting ours on the south side of the house it naturally warms it up with no extras. BTW, the author of the book lives waaaaaaaaaaaaaay up in Maine and his photos in his book are beyond impressive!!!! He grows much without ANY added HEAT at all! ;)

    I hope that more people will try, 'cause you can do it IF YA REALLY WANT TO!

    ~W~
     
  5. Blackjack

    Blackjack Monkey+++

    OGM & WG

    Outstanding piece of work there.... you'll need to follow up with some pics this winter of the progress and harvest..... and it's great you get your daughter involved :)
     
  6. wildernessgal

    wildernessgal Backwoods is a callin'

    Response to Blackjack about "Our Greenhouse Project"


    Thanks Blackjack! We've turned it into a "Homeschool Project" as well (from the start), 'cause daughter wants to know how much we can grow in it, and she also wanted to have a tomato/pepper plant enclosed inside,to see how long they'd last in there since they are actually heat-loving plants. Whatever it takes to learn and better ourselves... I know that I am especially enjoying it! :)

    We will definately take more pics in the future to share...

    ~W~

    P.S.- Does anyone here have a greenhouse, or is planning to make one??? The few folk whom we know who actually have one don't make use of it year round at all, which is a shame. I don't think most folk realize that they can actually, and save lots of $$$$$$. This book has been beyond informative/helpful for sure! :) We HIGHLY RECOMMEND the above book!!!! bye now...
     
  7. wildernessgal

    wildernessgal Backwoods is a callin'

    Our Greenhouse UPDATE! :)

    Thought I would share the latest with everyone, so that I could spare you any added frustration if you were to decide to "give it a go!" Here ya go THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY TRUTH! HA,HA,HA [LMAO]

    The GREENHOUSE PROJECT is doing GREAT & is HEAPS OF FUN!!!!

    ***This mornin' we were down in the teens (the sun was barely up), whilst the greenhouse was still in the 30's with ABSOLUTELY NO HEAT or FANCY DEVICES!!!

    ***Several days back, I decided to make use of a bunch of sawdust (for mulch/water rentention purposes) and I noticed that "certain things" were having "an issue" with it (I think due to the high acid content as it was oak dust).... The lettuce seemed to be the worst (<--I noticed them 1st 'cause their outer leaves just looked weird/wilted not long after ) and a few other things were only slightly affected by having their older outer leaves turn a burgundyish color... But are still healthy, and the newer inner leaves look /are growing just fine. Interesting!?!?!? The spinach, cabbage, radish, scalllions, and other greens look perfect.

    ***The weather here in the Ozarks is very "up & down". Heck it was hotter than heck the other day & last night/this mornin' we were in the teens... If anything I think this is a good thing/find it beyond helpful in finding garden varieties which are diverse/hardy either way. Those types of things would be very smart to choose with the crazy/unpredictable stuff Mother Nature has been imposing upon the world as of late. A survivalist who's "into it pretty deep" is going to be very very smart about their garden variety choices.

    Upon saying this, I think that prior to last night the bugs weren't completely disappearing (due to the lack of consistent cold) and I had some startin' to become pests in the greenhouse. They ate up some of my baby spinach (must taste better/sweeter than the rest to those crazy lil' buggers?) But anyway, I dug up some garlic and made a garlic spray, which should work fine/get 'em under control. I've never had too many bug issues before... I'm also going to scatter some ( wood ash from the woodstove ) as I read in an old timer gardening book that it supposedly repels bugs. I've never tried it until now, so let's see how it works???

    But anyway, that's all for now... I have "No Access to MY MONKEY BLOG" this mornin' and am goin' through withdrawels! :( lol

    ~Wildernessgal~
     
  8. fritz_monroe

    fritz_monroe Guest

    I'm going to talk to the wife to see what she thinks of doing this on the side of the house. It does face south. Out of curiosity, is there any reason that the plastic in a greenhouse has to be opaque? I have a bunch of clear plastic sheeting in the basement and it would be sweet to use that.
     
  9. Clyde

    Clyde Jet Set Tourer Administrator Founding Member

    4 Season Harvest is in my library. Truly inspirational book for self sufficiency and a veritable dictionary on the hows and ways to grow year round. I read it straight through.

    Now if just need a damn farm to live on!
     
  10. ozarkgoatman

    ozarkgoatman Resident goat herder

    Becausae we started a buisness this year so funds are tight and they had it cheap at china-mart. [dunno] but it seems to work.

    OGM
     
  11. dragonfly

    dragonfly Monkey+++

    I also built a small greenhouse, against a trailer, but due to the aluminum construction of that trailer, I had to add a 100 watt bulb for heat....
    man did it work great!
    I used plastic sheeting, and 1 x 2's for lumber!
    It was protected from the wind and I had the largest cherry tomato vines I have ever seen!
    They ended up ove the top of that 12 ft high trailer by the middle of spring!
    Also had a few Okra plants, 1 grew to the size of a tree, and I had to cut it down, as it was 3+ inches in diameter, and I had to use an 8 ft extension ladder to pick the pods!
    I love gardening!
    This year, I spent some $900.00 on raised beds, the lumber, soil, drainage rock and weed guard material was expnesive, as was the sun screen!
    Get's durned hot here in Phoenix at times!
    Now, I'm still in the 80-90's range, and I'm planning to cover them all with a plastic tenting and use pvc pipe and fittings-framing, for easy disassembly come next spring...
    Bill
     
  12. wildernessgal

    wildernessgal Backwoods is a callin'


    Good for YOU! I love hearin' about what everyone is up to! :)

    Wildernessgal
     
  13. wildernessgal

    wildernessgal Backwoods is a callin'

    UPDATE: New Pic to share (Regarding Greenhouse Project)

    Just wanted to share a new pic of the "GOODIES" which I have been harvesting from our greenhouse! WOO HOO!

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    Some nights I've tossed in fresh radish, or beets with it. Also used my homemade fermented tomato sauce as a healthful dressing. Last nights dinner was absolutely scrumptious, we had delicious/juicy slow cooked goat meat, with the above salad and fresh baked bread **DROOL DROOL**

    Over here I am big on homecooked meals, and the thought of having free healthy edibles consistently makes me/us so very HAPPY! ;)

    Guys, it's really not that hard to do at all... and I actually like gardening through the fall/winter season better, as it's easier/more enjoyable in my opinion!!!!

    Have an AWESOME WEEKEND everyone!
    Sincerely,

    Wildernessgal

    P.S.- If anyone is interested in learning how to preserve your garden tomatoes without canning/killing the nutritional value of it... I surely wouldn't mind helping to teach you how to preserve it via-fermentation the old fashioned/more healthful way. It's super yummy....(great on pasta, as a salad dressing & etc.) Just ask, & I shall post it on THE MONKEY to share with everyone! Helping others/inspiring is one of my favorite things! ;) ~W~
     
  14. Tango3

    Tango3 Aimless wanderer

    bump for an important thread.That's COOL er uh "warm"?
    ( no pun intended.) Bought that book its very good mostly covers building simple greenhouses,cold frames and eating within the season.Hey we'll all being seeing you guys for dinner in february!
     
  15. wildernessgal

    wildernessgal Backwoods is a callin'

    / GREENHOUSE UPDATE: /

    Well the other day we had a cold front come in (which brought some very high winds & snow)... and our lil' cheap greenhouse pretty much stood up to it all! Prior to the SNOW arriving though, the powerful winds did drop two smallish tree branches onto our greenhouse. :(

    Prior to heading out to work we noticed a bit of damage & did a quickie mending job with scissors/tape. So far so good, but it will surely be an issue until we replace all of the plastic anew or do something else with it. Boo hoo waaaaaah!!!! he,he Oh well (let's be POSITIVE), it could've always been much worse ya know?

    Our "FUTURE PLANS" are for building a more permanent structure on the south side of our house (<--with a heavy duty roof/no plastic this next time) as this has been the most INCREDIBLE/SUCCESSFUL PROJECT!!!!! :) Daughter is so PROUD & tells everyone all about our organic/healthful homegrown goodies which we eat all of the time.... "no heaters, woodstoves, fancy lights/equipment maintained with electricity" she happily states. Yep, straight outta the mouth of a future 8 year old (b-day next month) homeschooler who is very aware/informed. As a mom, I am very very proud of her, and so is her father. She's so smart and if/when something bad happens one day or in the future, we know that she has the skills to maintain herself! This truly makes me feel good!

    But anyway, today we had several inches of snow on the ground (just posted a pic on me ole blog entry today about our "igloo project") and daughter rushed out to try and get it off of the greenhouse. We explained to her that it wasn't that heavy & that by leaving it on there it actually was helping the plants in the greenhouse, being that it is a natural insulator. Every thing looks healthy/happy in the greenhouse, and I just harvested some fresh lettuce for our homemade tacos, which we shall be eating tonight for dinner. YUMMY!!!!

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    Just thought I'd share with those of you who may be interested... Btw, it's great to hear that someone else has boughten the book

    (Four Season Harvest By Author Eliot Coleman ~ OUTSTANDING/ABSOLUTELY INSPIRATIONAL!!!!)

    and knows what we are talkin' about!!!! We highly recommend that others check it out as it's beyond wonderful/useful! Good for you Tango3 and HAPPY READING!!!!! Maybe you can post pics of your adventures as well to inspire others to have more control over their life/what they put into their mouthes???? You'd be amazed by how much a smallish greenhouse can feed a family/how much you can save regarding one's grocery bill!?!?!?!?!
    Best of luck to all who decide to give it a try!

    Sincerely,
    Wildernessgal & family
    (who will try and post some "more recent pics" in the future when I have some freetime....)

    P.S.- Btw, here are some pics (below) from about a month & 1/2 ago (? maybe later?), which I don't think I had shared with y'all....

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  16. wildernessgal

    wildernessgal Backwoods is a callin'

    My Response to Clyde....(Greenhouse for under $25 )


    Hey Clyde,
    Ya know, you don't have to have a farm. Heck even cityfolk with smallish yards can do it !!! When my husband was in the military (Stationed in Japan) he said that they were so determined in the city that they did all of these sorts of things even if they didn't have a yard.... raising gardens in pots on their roof, poultry and so much more....

    Personally though, I think more land in a less populated area would be a very good choice for those who truly care. But anything is possible, if you want it bad enough! ;) ~Just my 2 cents!

    Glad to hear that you've got the book as well, as it is so very helpful & atleast you've got it as a reference.

    ~W~
     
  17. ozarkgoatman

    ozarkgoatman Resident goat herder


    No problem Tango we will have the WELCOMING commity ready to greet you. [LMAO][LMAO][LMAO] [stirpot]

    OGM
     
  18. wildernessgal

    wildernessgal Backwoods is a callin'

    These last few days we've had some "adverse weather conditions"
    with lots of sleet, ice... and now it's starting to snow.​

    Snapped up a photo of the greenhouse to share (below)​


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    and everything inside is still doing well! ;)

    Just thought I'd share and keep everyone updated on our "winter gardening experiment!"​

    ~W~​

    P.S.- Oops, I almost forgot. The only thing which didn't fair well during the colder temps. was the Brocolli Raab... basically when it got down in the single digits, the plants we had in the greenhouse died. Hopefully that'll be helpful to those of you who are interested...
     
  19. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    Very nice. I'm going to try and talk Mr. into letting me start one. :)
     
  20. wildernessgal

    wildernessgal Backwoods is a callin'

    Re: Response to Tracy about "Greenhouse for under $25"

    You should turn it into an "EDUCATIONAL HOMESCHOOL EXPERIMENT" with extra perks!?!?! lol Trust me YOU WON'T REGRET IT, and you'll save on the grocery bill/be so much more knowledgeable/self-reliant by doing so.... which is BEYOND A GOOD FEELING! :)

    ~W~
     
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