Getting your greenhouse ready

[April Manier]

I posted my list of greenhouse prep on my blog. Wondering if anyone can think of something I missed. I just feel like there's something...


HeronsNestFarm.blogspot.com

 

[lesa]

Looks like you have thought of everything to me, April. Much for organized than I am! I am going to do most of the floor of my greehouse with bricks this year. I plan to leave an area open to plant directly into the ground, and cover the rest...I got tired of cutting the grass in the greenhouse! A friend has offered me free bricks, and my greenhouse is tiny- so this seems like a good plan. I need to do some rearranging in mine, as well. Until you are actually using the space, you don't really know how it is going to work. I ended up not really using my potting bench- so that is getting moved. Can't wait for spring to get out there and do something! Enjoy your space!

 

[jackb]

Looks like you have thought of everything to me, April. Much for organized than I am! I am going to do most of the floor of my greehouse with bricks this year. I plan to leave an area open to plant directly into the ground, and cover the rest...I got tired of cutting the grass in the greenhouse! A friend has offered me free bricks, and my greenhouse is tiny- so this seems like a good plan. I need to do some rearranging in mine, as well. Until you are actually using the space, you don't really know how it is going to work. I ended up not really using my potting bench- so that is getting moved. Can't wait for spring to get out there and do something! Enjoy your space!

Lesa,

I have been using my greenhouse to "steal' a little spring and summer lately. For instance, yesterday the temperature in the greenhouse was eighty two degrees. I have a canvas folding lawn chair in the greenhouse, so I grab a book, cold drink, and my mp3 player, and catch some rays and vitamin D. No sense letting it just sit there during the winter.

Jack

 

[catjac1975]

I use my tunnel greenhouse to extend the growing season. I plant right into the ground and extend the season at the beginning and end. We have had a mild winter thus far in Massachusetts and think I should have planted lettuce in the fall to see if it would over winter. I plan to get it ready this weekend just to try a few feet of lettuce and radishes. The cost of a few seeds would be worth beating mother nature.

I have a heated greenhouse also and will be putting out my cool weather crops as soon as my seeds are delivered.

 

[digitS']

I have to replace the plastic film this year, April. I'm not looking forward to it but the job isn't terribly difficult.

In a way, it is a little surprising that UV-resistant plastic is so soft. In another way, it isn't surprising at all! As the sun damages it, the film becomes brittle and that's how it finally begins to break. The damage that it had initially was all self-inflicted, during the last installation. Patching with the proper tape works but it has finally reached an age when it is breaking against the redwood bars up at the very peak. I'd have to look back thru receipts to know when it went up last but it has certainly lasted more than the ascribed 3 or 4 years - more like 5 or 6. So, I'm happy with that .

The installation is certainly made easier for my "sunshed" since I can roll out the film on the wood roof and drop it down over the south side. It is ladder work on the east & west walls but they are only "half walls" with the other half, framed & insulated. I have to pay attention to the edge where the east & west walls meet the long south wall. Gotta be careful with my skizzers cutting the film evenly.

A day's work for an old fella - the 1st real work in a couple of months. I better start doing some stretching exercises to get ready for that nice February morning when I'll need to climb up there and get to it!

Steve

 

[catjac1975]

I have to replace the plastic film this year, April. I'm not looking forward to it but the job isn't terribly difficult.

In a way, it is a little surprising that UV-resistant plastic is so soft. In another way, it isn't surprising at all! As the sun damages it, the film becomes brittle and that's how it finally begins to break. The damage that it had initially was all self-inflicted, during the last installation. Patching with the proper tape works but it has finally reached an age when it is breaking against the redwood bars up at the very peak. I'd have to look back thru receipts to know when it went up last but it has certainly lasted more than the ascribed 3 or 4 years - more like 5 or 6. So, I'm happy with that .

The installation is certainly made easier for my "sunshed" since I can roll out the film on the wood roof and drop it down over the south side. It is ladder work on the east & west walls but they are only "half walls" with the other half, framed & insulated. I have to pay attention to the edge where the east & west walls meet the long south wall. Gotta be careful with my skizzers cutting the film evenly.

A day's work for an old fella - the 1st real work in a couple of months. I better start doing some stretching exercises to get ready for that nice February morning when I'll need to climb up there and get to it!

Steve

I'm pretty sure my tunnel green house cover is at least 10 years old. I bought it used and got a great deal. It is of woven plastic and when I do replace it I will use the same material. It has frayed at the bottom a bit. They sell plastic strips but the adhesive has not lasted that lone. But-it still has lengthened the life of the cover.