The greenhouse framing utilizes non-treated 2 x 4 x 8 lumberfrom a friend’s lumber stockpile. The 2 x 4’s (studs) were anchored onto a base plate at 2-foot centers. The lumber used for the base plates are weather resistant boards (image: John Green).
By John Green, Certified Orange, Texas Expert Gardener
Building a greenhouse (start to finish) is challenging for mostanyone but for those of us with little or no ‘significant’ building experience- problematic! The base structure for the greenhouse in my mind is built using wood, requiring someone skilled at framing a structure (wood working skills- are not in my wheelhouse). Fortunately, a friend (Justin Sellers) is highly skilled, adept at building things (houses, sheds, barns, etc.) and was willing to build the greenhouse with me as the student ‘helper”. Let it be known that Justin, nor I have ever built a greenhouse, but we were both up for the challenge over the course of the next several months (weekend work only- weather permitting).
The greenhouse ‘journey’ officially started 31Mar22 (when we started framing the greenhouse), continuing through 16Oct22. Some of you may wonder why such a long build interval for a greenhouse with dimension (L-18’ x W-22’ x H-16’) and considered relatively small by many gardeners. There were numerous prevailing issues that dramatically impacted thegreenhouse build. The world was finally existing the Covid-19 epidemic and daily life (as we once remembered) slowly began to return, but there were extreme shortages of almost everything imaginable: building materials were no exception! Many of the materials needed to construct the greenhouse are not produced in the US and are imported. This means once local merchants are out of stock, the waiting game begins for restocking inventory! Polycarbonate sheets (8-foot & 12-foot panels) are manufactured in Isreal, 1” x 4” x 8’ boards (used across the rafters to secure the roof) sourced from Norway & Finland, and plastic corrugated strips (used to align & secure polycarbonate panels) also made in Isreal. Purchase what is available and wait, and wait, and wait some more!
While waiting for the remaining materials to arrive, we decided to begin framing the greenhouse- with materials on hand. We began attaching the 2 x 4 studs to the base plate (2-foot centers) framing one wall at a time. Once each exterior wall was framed,we then secured each wall to one another using corner bracing. Framing the walls required about 1.5 days work and we decided to hold off securing the base plate to the concrete foundation- we were tired! It was going to demand too much energy from us both to hammer drill through the base plate into concrete pad (6 to 8” depth) to insert lag bolts to adhere the exterior wall to the foundation. We intentionally decided to wait on securing the base board to the foundation, and chose not to support the walls robustly…not our best decision!
We decided to install two windows on 07Apr24, it was early afternoon and were impressed with how smoothly the installation went for both. Precise measurements, quick install, the greenhouse build was progressing along nicely! We didn’t pay attention to the increasing wind speed, nor did weremember the walls were not yet secured to the foundation with lag bolts (image courtesy: John Green).
Obviously, the increased wind was noticed as I attempted to water newly installed vegetable gardens (opposite side of the house) using a nearby garden hose with sprayer attachment and was struggling to get the water to land where needed to be beneficial rather than onto the walkways. While watering, I distinctly remember hearing an unusual sound, but it was gone in an instant…perhaps a neighbor at work? My only focus was getting water to land where intended, for the vegetables recently transplanted.
Rudimentary bracing was utilized for support on three sides of the greenhouse to steady the exterior walls but clearly not nearenough support to guard against 40 mph winds our area experienced on this afternoon. Enormous disappointment are the words which I use most often to describe the event, now a pile of debris. A literal heap of glass shards and matchsticks embedded with nails and screws. In a moment, a greenhouse dream…vanished!
Fortunately, no one was working inside the greenhouse when it collapsed. The newly installed windows…shattered, stud framing…fallen, clumped together into a large pile appearing as matchsticks (reminiscent of the game “pick-up-sticks”…with a little something extra, exposed nails and screws).
Which brings me to greenhouse planning and design as both are crucial and essential steps in building a successful greenhouse. Gardeners, hopefully you can learn though my mistakes some of which were costly but all easily avoidable if but for more planning and making notes.
Space and Resource (Utilities) Availability
The most important decision before starting a greenhouse project of any type is to understand the amount of space and resources available to the greenhouse.
Before ‘digging’ into greenhouse construction, take the time to evaluate the available space and resources. If only a small area to build a greenhouse is available, this is okay since lots of plants can be grown in tight quarters. Vertical gardening can solve a greenhouse ‘footprint’ challenge. Remember gardeners, greenhouses are quickly filled, it’s in our nature (speaking from experience) so my recommendation is to build larger than you think you need or have a design which will allow expansion later- just in case!
The required dimensions of the greenhouse are probably smaller than needed but allow room for expansion. Experience tells mehow addictive and rewarding greenhouse gardening is and that running out of space is hugely problematic. I recommend either building or purchasing a greenhouse which is one or two sizes larger than needed to accommodate our ever increasing collection of plants. You’ll be glad you did!
Location, Location, Location
The ideal site to build or locate a greenhouse should receive sunlight throughout the day with maximum southern exposure.There should be no obstructions (trees, building, house) above the proposed greenhouse location which might block sunlight.
Resources (Utilities)
The proximity to utilities such as water, electricity, natural gas (or propane) are necessary for extending the growing season to include the winter months but depends upon how the greenhouseis expected to function and the types of plants which will be grown or overwintered. If for instance, if you plan to harvest tomatoes during winter, heat and lighting will be necessaryrequiring electricity and natural gas for cost-effective heating solutions.
So long for now fellow gardeners! Let’s go out and grow ourselves a greener, more sustainable world, one plant at a time! I want to thank several readers for prompting me to write about my greenhouse journey. Please continue sending gardening questions to: jongreene57@gmail.com.
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