I've finished the walls of my greenhouse. Saving for the roof.

[panader0]

My old garden was fenced with chicken wire and my plants were in raised beds made from 8x8x16
blocks stacked up. But it didn't stop the creatures like ravens and, the worst, packrats. They would
dig under the blocks and devastate plants overnight. Here in SE Az, it can be very dry until the
summer monsoon, and all the creatures including javelina, coyotes and mule deer would be attracted
to the smell of water.
So I was very frustrated. I dug foundations, poured concrete, and laid those block with mortar.
I have several old sliding glass doors from jobs, and various other windows to go on top of the
short walls. Some of the windows will be hinged for ventilation.
Then beams between the block piers, and now I need the tuftex roofing.
The greenhouse will be 16 by 18 and I'll have a small side room with a cot and a desk.
A vegetable man cave.
I've been watching many videos on youtube and studying. This will be fun.

[Tbear]

1. Sounds pretty cool

Of course some pics of your progress would be appreciated.
I am intrigued about the addition of the desk and cot

[panader0]

4. I need a place to nap in the afternoon.

I'll have a bookshelf, a cool small desk I found, my guitar and stash.
At 70, I find I need naps once in a while.

[blm]

2. I've seen windows recycled to use as walls. Very cool

look, IMO. And practical.

[Cracklin Charlie]

6. There is one in my neighborhood.

Everyone is jelly.

[panader0]

9. As a retired construction guy, I have all kinds of building materials around my place.

Windows, rebar for the foundation, a mortar mixer and more. I also called my local
electrical company and they give away the old power poles when they are replaced.
So I'll incorporate a few of those.

[blm]

10. And there is always Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

😁

[Karadeniz]

3. This is going to be GREAT!!

[Kali]

5. SE

[panader0]

11. Thanks Kali. Duh. Too early to think clearly I guess. Fixed it.

[Kali]

12. ...

I'm jealous of your garden fortress. a few years ago (more than a few, sigh) we built what we call the nuclear fallout shelter chicken coop. you have to protect your food out in the grasslands of SE AZ.

[jmbar2]

7. Thanks for turning me onto this thread

I'd love to see pics when you get them.

[DLCWIdem]

8. I live in WI no room for a greenhouse but

Last edited Mon Feb 15, 2021, 01:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Ok so I have had a garden mostly raised beds in various forms even made one of cinder blocks. 3 years ago I covered my strawberry bed with plastic like a small screen hoop house and when I uncovered it in the spring the strawberry plants were gone. I believe it was squirrels, mice, chipmunks and other animals that could tunnel underneath. So I am careful about that. Now I have a couple cold frames made into boxes. The cold frames extend the growing season. They are as easy to make as raised beds. Because they are essentially raised beds with a window on top.

[UserNotFound]

13. What a great project!

My backyard tomato and pepper patches are fenced in, so I don't have a critter problem. What will you be growing in your greenhouse?

[panader0]

14. I'll try these things: lettuce, mini cabbage, beets, onions, cantalopes,

cucumbers, peas, runner beans, tomatoes, fingerling potatoes, jalapenos and habeneros.
I'm no pro and will be trying many things to see what happens until I learn more. I've always
wanted to be a good gardener and now at 70 I have plenty of time. I have a friend who's a real
gardener--he grows the veggies for a local pizzaria, so he'll provide advice. The weed will still be in
the old hen house. I'm pretty good with that crop, and it's now legal here in Az.

[spinbaby]

15. Ooooh, I want pictures

I’d love to have a greenhouse, but don’t have the skill to build one myself or the funds to just buy one. It would be especially nice this time of year when winter has dragged on and it’s time to start seedings for the new season.

[panader0]

16. I'll post some photos when it's further along.

Quite a bit to do still, and money is an issue. The lumber and tuftex roofing will cost about $1200.