Greenhouses

Ive got the greenlight to put one up on my brother in laws land, Im handy and can DIY or buy one. My price range is 5-7k

Now I want to pour a concrete slab for a floor( unless better alternative) and was hoping to get 200 plus s.f. of grow space.

It seems polycarbonate is the most popular panels, this would have to withstand midwest winters. Any advice, links, tips etc are appreciated.

I lost track of how much this cost but I'd guess you could do it for under $7k ... it's footprint is about 16' x 32' and the height at the ridge is about 12' ... if you get snow it's not even a question... use steel hoops

Corso312 said:

Ive got the greenlight to put one up on my brother in laws land, Im handy and can DIY or buy one. My price range is 5-7k

Now I want to pour a concrete slab for a floor( unless better alternative) and was hoping to get 200 plus s.f. of grow space.

It seems polycarbonate is the most popular panels, this would have to withstand midwest winters. Any advice, links, tips etc are appreciated.

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Id put floor heating in and strengthen corners for both support and added hardware

Samwell Seed Well said:

Id put floor heating in and strengthen corners for both support and added hardware

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not sure i'd bother with heat unless you plan on growing through the winter. I've never had a problem with the cold in massachusetts, I can easily go into mid november if necessary... the problem is I run out of daylight about 11/15 and the plants shut down ... if you're talking about growing through the winter you'd probably need to add some kind of supplemental light to extend the days ... after factoring in the cost to install heat/lights and run the heat/lights you'd be better off just growing indoors in a tent through the winter

i'd spend the money on ventilation and dehumidification though... especially if you get chilly nights with high RH in september/october

I would go for a plastic hoophouse high gothic design to shed snow. Check out farmers friend. Also, the hoop must have roll up sides. A top vent is also a huge help. I would also recommend adding a dehumidifier during flower. I would stay away from pouring any amount of concrete, it only restricts what you can do, also could change the status of building codes of the hoop from temporary structure to permanent structure. I have had to battle my township on this.

Only looking for one fall harvest a year, the bugs are what drives me mad and the rains during flower..mostly the borers though have decimated the last few harvests.

Think you guys are right, get a load or 2 of crushed stone dumped and use that instead of concrete..save 1500 right there.

Nice jig by the way, sharp idea. So you just poured a footing on perimeter and anchored bottom plate and built knee wall? No heaving?

stealthfader508 said:

I lost track of how much this cost but I'd guess you could do it for under $7k ... it's footprint is about 16' x 32' and the height at the ridge is about 12' ... if you get snow it's not even a question... use steel hoops
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That looks like single layer poly. You'd have much better insulation to make it double layer with an active air gap between the layers.

Corso312 said:

Ive got the greenlight to put one up on my brother in laws land, Im handy and can DIY or buy one. My price range is 5-7k

Now I want to pour a concrete slab for a floor( unless better alternative) and was hoping to get 200 plus s.f. of grow space.

It seems polycarbonate is the most popular panels, this would have to withstand midwest winters. Any advice, links, tips etc are appreciated.

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Twin walled polycarbonate is quite common, but much more expensive than double poly. Personally I prefer acrylic over polycarbonate, because it lets UV through, and generally has slightly better light transmissibility.

Corso312 said:

Only looking for one fall harvest a year, the bugs are what drives me mad and the rains during flower..mostly the borers though have decimated the last few harvests.

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No need to spend 5-7k heres my 250 dollar used car port i bought 5 yrs ago 20x30 cost 140 buck for green house poly i pull the poly when done in the fall

I agree on using metal hoops. Look around for a local greenhouse company. One of our local companies sells a complete greenhouse kit for $2500.
Best of luck

Corso312 said:

Think you guys are right, get a load or 2 of crushed stone dumped and use that instead of concrete..save 1500 right there.

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What is this stone going to do for you and the plants? I have seen a lot of people doing this and it makes zero sense to me. I have spent plenty of time throwing rock out of fields, but never had the desire to put them back into the growing space. Mulch... maybe, but why not just use landscape fabric? Honestly curious?

great thread we should have a subforum

toomp said:

great thread we should have a subforum

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Outdoor indoor greenhouse growing?

Radicle420 said:

What is this stone going to do for you and the plants? I have seen a lot of people doing this and it makes zero sense to me. I have spent plenty of time throwing rock out of fields, but never had the desire to put them back into the growing space. Mulch... maybe, but why not just use landscape fabric? Honestly curious?

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The stone acts as a thermal battery, it absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night.
Some folks with large greenhouses place 55 gallon barrels full of water along the back wall. Increasing the thermal mass in a greenhouse is a form of passive solar.

The stone makes everything cleaner imo. Weeds wont grow up through, no risk of tearing the fabric once it's down, watering run off etc. Crushed stone isnt terribly expensive where I am but definitely a added cost.

I still believe that a thick commercial grade black landscape fabric will get the hoop and soil hotter (more thermal battery) than stones ever will, and you don't have rocks in your growing area. Just like @thumper60

natureboygrower said:

The stone makes everything cleaner imo. Weeds wont grow up through, no risk of tearing the fabric once it's down, watering run off etc. Crushed stone isnt terribly expensive where I am but definitely a added cost.

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Ya its looks cleaner but the stone is a pain in the ass once dirt gets into it an shit starts sprouting. I like just the fabric can be swept off with a broom. none of the large GHs around me lay stone just fabric. Plus that black fabric really helps warm the soil in the spring an fall.

thumper60 said:

Ya its looks cleaner but the stone is a pain in the ass once dirt gets into it an shit starts sprouting. I like just the fabric can be swept off with a broom. none of the large GHs around me lay stone just fabric. Plus that black fabric really helps warm the soil in the spring an fall.

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That makes sense. I hadn't considered spilled dirt. Personally I'd look into a construcrion grade fabric with a shiny weed block on top so you could sweep. Some of that stuff tears really easy.