Post by LonelyForsaken on Mar 30, 2018 3:49:21 GMT -5
Here is a cheep idea for a greenhouse;
I got this 16' x 14' x 6' dome tent free. All modifications have been done with seizers and a U shaped sewing needle (8lb test fishing line). Yes plastic can be sewn but in high winds like the ones we get I recommend reinforcing your stitches by covering them with cellophane packing tape (the cheep stuff).
Ironically, the side I took the pic of is the side I haven't finished sewing. It's a simple idea but a lot of hand sewing. Totally portable and highly wind resistant (though this remains to be tested beyond a 15 mph breeze). The 12' x 25' 6 mil UV protected 4 year plastic was $60.00 at Amazon. I could have gotten away with a 10' x 16' but I have enough to double it or make another slightly smaller one.
There is plenty of room so I'll be growing all the usual; tomatoes, peppers, spices, etc., and of course these two girls. All above ground in smart pots or wood box planters.
imgur.com/a/mkVrw
The one on the left is an old and all time favorite strain Callie "O".
The one on the right is a first for me called OG/Cush/GirlscoutCookie.
Update;
I finished the sewing and have been monitoring the temps for the last 24hrs. I was hoping the large back window would be enough venting but this greenhouse will need a top vent. On sunny mornings, before the wind comes up, the temp is rising above 90 with the windows fully open.
There isn't much support to work with on top of a dome tent. The obvious cheap answer is to sew in a zipper but I'll try to think of something better. An auto vent would be really nice.
Update 2;
I cut a 4' x 4' hole in the top and it still got to 96 deg. today. The high was 66.
When I came up with this idea I neglected to think about summer ventilation for a greenhouse. In the summer we raise the bottom of the walls a few feet and drop them down again at night. This tent doesn't have that kind of ventilation. It is still usable as a night shelter but I'll have to take everything out during the summer days. Basically it is only good for very early and late season use.
However, what I need mostly is wind shelter. I intend to fix it, but it won't be a $60.00 GH anymore. I'm going to have to cut panels all around it and sew in zippers. That means about 40 yards of strong expensive zipper material and I'll have to use the machine to do it. Dome tents have a lot of stress near the floor anchors so nothing less than a double stitch by machine will work. This also means I'm limited to installing vents only between the anchors and I must leave ample tent wall material around the anchors or risk destroying it's ability to stand up in the high winds we have here. That means lots of small panels all the way around.
I'll install a zipper for the flap I cut out of the top too.
Even though the tent was free and my total cost will be under $200.00 I would not take on this project again. Spring Garden makes a strong GH frame of the same size for about the same cost with a decent UV protected cover. I'm sure this tent will do better in the wind and last longer before I need to replace the clear plastic but it is way too many hours of work to make it practical.
Update 3;
imgur.com/TxkIvku
I think I'll just sew drapes around the outside to cover the bottom and role them up when it's hot.
Update 4;
This is a quick and dirty fix but it works. Wind is predicted for Friday so I'll find out how well it works soon.
imgur.com/orlquQ3
imgur.com/tVEcsEw
4/7/18 Update;
It works. I added two more tie downs but we have had gusts over 60mph and it is still standing.
I got this 16' x 14' x 6' dome tent free. All modifications have been done with seizers and a U shaped sewing needle (8lb test fishing line). Yes plastic can be sewn but in high winds like the ones we get I recommend reinforcing your stitches by covering them with cellophane packing tape (the cheep stuff).
Ironically, the side I took the pic of is the side I haven't finished sewing. It's a simple idea but a lot of hand sewing. Totally portable and highly wind resistant (though this remains to be tested beyond a 15 mph breeze). The 12' x 25' 6 mil UV protected 4 year plastic was $60.00 at Amazon. I could have gotten away with a 10' x 16' but I have enough to double it or make another slightly smaller one.
There is plenty of room so I'll be growing all the usual; tomatoes, peppers, spices, etc., and of course these two girls. All above ground in smart pots or wood box planters.
imgur.com/a/mkVrw
The one on the left is an old and all time favorite strain Callie "O".
The one on the right is a first for me called OG/Cush/GirlscoutCookie.
Update;
I finished the sewing and have been monitoring the temps for the last 24hrs. I was hoping the large back window would be enough venting but this greenhouse will need a top vent. On sunny mornings, before the wind comes up, the temp is rising above 90 with the windows fully open.
There isn't much support to work with on top of a dome tent. The obvious cheap answer is to sew in a zipper but I'll try to think of something better. An auto vent would be really nice.
Update 2;
I cut a 4' x 4' hole in the top and it still got to 96 deg. today. The high was 66.
When I came up with this idea I neglected to think about summer ventilation for a greenhouse. In the summer we raise the bottom of the walls a few feet and drop them down again at night. This tent doesn't have that kind of ventilation. It is still usable as a night shelter but I'll have to take everything out during the summer days. Basically it is only good for very early and late season use.
However, what I need mostly is wind shelter. I intend to fix it, but it won't be a $60.00 GH anymore. I'm going to have to cut panels all around it and sew in zippers. That means about 40 yards of strong expensive zipper material and I'll have to use the machine to do it. Dome tents have a lot of stress near the floor anchors so nothing less than a double stitch by machine will work. This also means I'm limited to installing vents only between the anchors and I must leave ample tent wall material around the anchors or risk destroying it's ability to stand up in the high winds we have here. That means lots of small panels all the way around.
I'll install a zipper for the flap I cut out of the top too.
Even though the tent was free and my total cost will be under $200.00 I would not take on this project again. Spring Garden makes a strong GH frame of the same size for about the same cost with a decent UV protected cover. I'm sure this tent will do better in the wind and last longer before I need to replace the clear plastic but it is way too many hours of work to make it practical.
Update 3;
imgur.com/TxkIvku
I think I'll just sew drapes around the outside to cover the bottom and role them up when it's hot.
Update 4;
This is a quick and dirty fix but it works. Wind is predicted for Friday so I'll find out how well it works soon.
imgur.com/orlquQ3
imgur.com/tVEcsEw
4/7/18 Update;
It works. I added two more tie downs but we have had gusts over 60mph and it is still standing.