seedjar
Let's positive thinking!
So, I may be in the market for a greenhouse very soon. (Hooray!) But there are so many choices... I'm not sure where to begin looking. I know that I want it to be expandable, because I'll probably get one that's just big enough for my current collection if I get it any time in the near future. (It would be nice to be able to section off part as a hothouse, or add on a smaller unit as a hothouse, as well.) I'd also like to be able to attach it to a shed or outbuilding, so that I can have some built-in storage without using up space where plants could be growing. I probably won't need to worry about a heater until next year, as I doubt I'll have the foundation ready and frame up before it starts warming up for Spring, but I was thinking it would be nice to have a wood or pellet stove in the shed part and use some sort of heat exchanger to warm the greenhouse area. A thermostat-controlled propane heater would probably serve as the normal heat source, with the stove for back-up. But vents, humidifiers and maybe an A/C will definitely need to be in by May/June.
Here's a little list of the things I'd like to include (mostly inspired by the greenhouses I've seen here on TF) -
- 12 x 8 feet or so
- Sunken foundation
- Wiring for lights/greenhouse appliances
- Shelving (freestanding or built-in? I'm torn.)
- Vents/fans with automatic and manual controls (since the thermostat comes later)
- Heat/air conditioning with the same
- Backup generator (this would be out in the boonies, so needs to be able to weather a power outage)
- Outside composter with a heat exchanger (did you know a healthy compost pile can get up to 170F at its core?)
Did I miss anything? Just trying to sketch out some dollar figures here. This will be an ongoing project, so like I was saying, not everything needs to happen at once. I'm just trying to get a sense of the various costs and what brands are the best (in terms of durability, light availability, and affordability.) Any ideas/help/links would be excellent.
Thanks,
~Joe
Here's a little list of the things I'd like to include (mostly inspired by the greenhouses I've seen here on TF) -
- 12 x 8 feet or so
- Sunken foundation
- Wiring for lights/greenhouse appliances
- Shelving (freestanding or built-in? I'm torn.)
- Vents/fans with automatic and manual controls (since the thermostat comes later)
- Heat/air conditioning with the same
- Backup generator (this would be out in the boonies, so needs to be able to weather a power outage)
- Outside composter with a heat exchanger (did you know a healthy compost pile can get up to 170F at its core?)
Did I miss anything? Just trying to sketch out some dollar figures here. This will be an ongoing project, so like I was saying, not everything needs to happen at once. I'm just trying to get a sense of the various costs and what brands are the best (in terms of durability, light availability, and affordability.) Any ideas/help/links would be excellent.
Thanks,
~Joe