I built a greenhouse which I heat with natural gas to defray frost. It is used only during the month of February to May to establish strong seedlings for outdoor planting about the end of May.
The heating is marginal only 20,000 BTU and my coldest temperature outdoors is minus 20 C. Some nights it is necessary to cover with blankets to prevent plants getting touched by frost.
I make no attempt to grow plants for food in the greenhouse or even to overwinter due to space limitations. The size is 10 by 12 floor space and about seven feet high. The floor space is not totally useable since near the walls the temperature gets colder than near the center of the room. I use a small fan to distribute the air and stabilize the temperature somewhat. To make the room fully frost free would be prohibitively expensive in my case. I do enjoy the structure and consider is a desirable asset even with the limitations.
Building a Greenhouse
Posted on
March 14, 2012 by
Durgan
http://www.durgan.org/URL/?HKERY 5 November 2010 Greenhouse on Deck.
I decided to build a large greenhouse on the deck, which doesn’t get much use. The enclosure will be a sun room if appropriate, instead of the canvas structure that use to be there. I have a small 20,000 BTU heater that connects to the barbecue natural gas outlet, so will have some warmth, and will get some use during the Winter months. It took nine days to build by myself, about 72 hours of labor, from 28 of October to 5 November, and cost $1798.63.
Description of the construction. Six, 6 by 6 pillars support the structure. The auxiliary supports are all 2 by 6 spruce planks. Two doors were installed plus a window to ensure reasonably good ventilation. I got the doors free of charge. The slope of the roof is from 8 feet to 7 feet, with a pitch of 1 in 12. Sun is available for about two third of the structure all day. Wood was used to cover the walls where no Sun penetrates. Corrugated SUNTUF UV protected panels was used. It is relatively low cost compared to other coverings, and is almost indestructible. Pictures depict highlights of the method used. Plans were in my head.
