Some background:
#1 - I have a barn/shed that is about 22'x12' that I will be replacing this spring. I plan on taking it down a board or two at the time and saving the lumber.
#2 - I have a 10-12' wide by 35' long space in my garden that will not grow weeds, let alone plants. I'm going to try and reclaim part of it but the easternmost side is probably a few years away from being usable - I'm convinced that whatever took down a beautiful, huge tree that had a 40'+ canopy leached something into the ground and that's impacting the dirt there, at least to a point.
#3 - I really love growing stuff and figure I can make some extra money, perhaps a significant amount, by selling plants in the spring and produce in the summer, fall and spring.
Given the above, I'm considering a greenhouse that will be 10'x 20' x 7' tall. That will give me room to raise anywhere from 864 to 1728 plants to sell. I also have room upstairs for at least the same amount.
The advantages of a greenhouse vs. the dirt garden:
It can be used 12 months a year. In the late summer, fall and early winter I can turn it into a huge hydroponics unit and raise plants like basil, lettuce and some tomatoes. Basil goes for $9/lb. or close to it and with 60 plants I should be able to harvest 50 pounds a week for several weeks, maybe a few months if I keep a close eye on it. Add in some lettuce and tomatoes to cover operating costs.
In late winter, I can start plants there as well as have a safe place to harden them. During late fall and over the winter, I can overwinter plants, both peppers and flowers.
Since I want to keep construction costs to a minimum (I can always upgrade) I'm thinking about using 4 mil, clear polyplastic for the side windows. I'll use three layers with an air space between each layer to make it easier to keep warm in winter. On the outside, the 'windows' will have 1/4" mesh wire fencing to cover the plastic. The windows will be about 44" wide, leaving just a couple of inches for the studs. They will also be 4' tall.
For the roof, rather than using the typical inverted 'V', it will be a sloping one with the slope facing south-south west. This is the part whose design I have not figured out. We have a couple of heavy snowfalls as well as an ice storm or two each winter. Because heat loss is very important, I have to be concerned about the weight the roof will support. Suggestions are appreciated.
The walls (what little bit that will not be a window) will be well insulated. Heat will be supplied by a 400 watt EconoHeater that keeps a well insulated, 10x10' room at least 70 degrees even on very cold days. Haven't decided on lighting yet but it will likely be something akin to 23 watt CFL bulbs.
Oh, and the floor will be dirt. I plan on covering it with plastic for several days and letting it bake. Gotta kill those bugs in it!
Your thoughts about this plan...
Mike
#1 - I have a barn/shed that is about 22'x12' that I will be replacing this spring. I plan on taking it down a board or two at the time and saving the lumber.
#2 - I have a 10-12' wide by 35' long space in my garden that will not grow weeds, let alone plants. I'm going to try and reclaim part of it but the easternmost side is probably a few years away from being usable - I'm convinced that whatever took down a beautiful, huge tree that had a 40'+ canopy leached something into the ground and that's impacting the dirt there, at least to a point.
#3 - I really love growing stuff and figure I can make some extra money, perhaps a significant amount, by selling plants in the spring and produce in the summer, fall and spring.
Given the above, I'm considering a greenhouse that will be 10'x 20' x 7' tall. That will give me room to raise anywhere from 864 to 1728 plants to sell. I also have room upstairs for at least the same amount.
The advantages of a greenhouse vs. the dirt garden:
It can be used 12 months a year. In the late summer, fall and early winter I can turn it into a huge hydroponics unit and raise plants like basil, lettuce and some tomatoes. Basil goes for $9/lb. or close to it and with 60 plants I should be able to harvest 50 pounds a week for several weeks, maybe a few months if I keep a close eye on it. Add in some lettuce and tomatoes to cover operating costs.
In late winter, I can start plants there as well as have a safe place to harden them. During late fall and over the winter, I can overwinter plants, both peppers and flowers.
Since I want to keep construction costs to a minimum (I can always upgrade) I'm thinking about using 4 mil, clear polyplastic for the side windows. I'll use three layers with an air space between each layer to make it easier to keep warm in winter. On the outside, the 'windows' will have 1/4" mesh wire fencing to cover the plastic. The windows will be about 44" wide, leaving just a couple of inches for the studs. They will also be 4' tall.
For the roof, rather than using the typical inverted 'V', it will be a sloping one with the slope facing south-south west. This is the part whose design I have not figured out. We have a couple of heavy snowfalls as well as an ice storm or two each winter. Because heat loss is very important, I have to be concerned about the weight the roof will support. Suggestions are appreciated.
The walls (what little bit that will not be a window) will be well insulated. Heat will be supplied by a 400 watt EconoHeater that keeps a well insulated, 10x10' room at least 70 degrees even on very cold days. Haven't decided on lighting yet but it will likely be something akin to 23 watt CFL bulbs.
Oh, and the floor will be dirt. I plan on covering it with plastic for several days and letting it bake. Gotta kill those bugs in it!
Your thoughts about this plan...
Mike
