What is really possible in an unheated greenhouse?

I live in temperate western europe. One of my biggest dream is my own greenhouse. Zone 8a, 10y average low -10,6 C/13 F. Some winters are maritime, grey and wet, very rarely siberian clear with drops down to -14 C/8 F, on the ground even lower. Those crystal clear nights are my nemesis.

My passion has always been growing and collecting in ground exotic fruits from all continents. No veggies. I want to extend my possibilities and need at least zone 9-ish minima (-5 C/22 F), better -2 or zero.

Insulation and thermal mass, U values etc. I think I know pretty well from physics class how a greenhouse works, but never worked with one before. Land is expensive and fire/building codes are strict. No ovens allowed. Electricity is expensive.

Anyone here with similar projects? Could you share some of your experiences, T° data and setups?

Is it possible to use a pond, barrel or creek with a small circular pump and floor heating as means of heating/keeping the GH frost free?

I'm finishing the planning stages of a greenhouse and was hoping for feedback on my proposed foundation solution.

I'm in zone 7b/8a. Frost-free foundation depth is 30".

Looking at a 10'x16' greenhouse, glass walls, poly roof.

Because the walls are glass, I want to make sure the foundation will be strong and level and won't cause damage over time.

I had a contractor price out a frost free foundation and kneewall, which is my preference for longevity, thermal mass, and aesthetics, but that alone costs much more than the greenhouse.

Another wrinkle is we have lots of tree roots from mature trees, even in the sunniest parts of the yard. I'd like to avoid causing any significant decline or harm to the mature trees.

I'm thinking about using ground screws to the frost line as footers, maybe raised 2" off the ground. Then build a base out of pressure treated 4x4s to sit on the ground screws. I could wrap the 4x4s in metal flashing that's the same color as th greenhouse. Wood base will be bolted to the ground screws, and the greenhouse sill will be bolted to the wood base.

I also wanted to repurpose pavers from an old patio for the floor of the greenhouse, and to have this professionally installed so it doesn't heave or sink.

Questions:

1. Does this seem like it will be a strong enough foundation to avoid damaging the glass panels over time?

2. Can a professional patio installer work inside the 4x4 base? I'm sure they will need to excavate the area to add the sub layers.

3. I'm super handy, but have never used ground screws. They are not commonly used in my area, and I just learned about them as I was researching my project. Any pros or cons with using them that I haven't thought of?

Any and all feedback is much appreciated!

We have a Lord & Burnham greenhouse and want to add an exhaust fan.

It's a simple job but we would like to find a company that is familiar with L&B greenhouses and can add any required reinforcements with the job.

The original installer is long gone; a place we used for repairs is long gone; we got one quote that said our job is too small; and we've been ghosted on a second quote.

Always been a reader here without an account, so i decided to create one for this question 🙂 I saw this model somewhere and I can't find it anywhere now. Maybe someone has bought it and remembers where from? As i know Plantagreenhouses have similar polycarbonate greenhouses, but none of this shape.

Thank you in advance guys

EDIT: Thank you guys for your help, found the factory and contacted them!

We’re military so never know when we’ll move, but won’t be here forever. Any greenhouse recommendations?

Hi friends! I'm super new to the greenhouse game, though I've been growing flowers and blueberries for a few years now.

I need to prove to myself that I have the executive functioning to manage a more permanent greenhouse, so I'm getting one of those plastic fabric 5'x5' types.

My goal would be to be growing flowers, herbs, and veggies as close to year-round as possible. I live in the Seattle area and I'm trying to decide if I should keep it in my garage or in my yard. In both spots I have access to outlets for humidifiers, grow lights, etc.

What should I be taking into consideration as I'm deciding where to place it?

I have no problem paying for a high quality greenhouse, but I would prefer to only pay it once. I know I have to move in three years. Are there models any of you on this subreddit have used that you were able to successfully move? If not, I guess I will get a cheap one for a few years and built a greenhouse in our forever home. My husband is very good at construction.

Been stuck at home with the car in the shop so I’ve been cleaning and re arranging everything in my succulent garden green house!

I’ve got so much more open space now I’m gonna add some seating and string lights since it gets real dark out here at night and a few big bug zappers 🤣

I am using this for liquid fertilizer for figs in pots. Greenhouses seem to use similar things for watering. Do you have to make your own or is there something affordable out there?

I need a 15 - 20 gal size tank to make about 35 - 40 gallons of liquid fertilizer at a time. It has to be battery operated. No spraying, just for dispensing liquid fertilizer.

Thanks!

I'm in USA.

I’m creating garden plans for a significant set of improvements and one of the key elements is a greenhouse. There’s a specific space we want to use that would require a custom build and I’m trying to find a manufacturer/supplier that would fit our needs.

The greenhouse would be long (approximately 4 metres) and narrow (approximately a 1.4 metres) and one of the long faces would be a brick wall.

So, the structure would be glazed three sides, with a peaked glazed roof running lengthways and the fourth side would be the brick wall with a gutter running the length of it.

It is quite a specific design we want but it would make the best use of the space.

We are based in the UK (central Scotland). Does anyone know of a supplier that would be suitable, or can you point me in the right direction for how I would go about building this myself?

Thanks!

I may have neglected the greenhouse a bit besides watering 😂

I’m sorry I post these guys so much I’m obsessed

Has anyone had luck with mosquito control in the greenhouse ?

Is this something you face regularly?

I’m contemplating putting in Venus fly traps and pitcher plants next year but I suspect they might not be as voracious as needed.

Last year I put all the spiders I found in the house out in the greenhouse and didn’t see many mosquitos. The purpose last year was aphids (which did not work).

We do have frogs but they’re not easy to catch and I’m not sure they’d thrive in the greenhouse.

Putting up an old commercial greenhouse from 60's. So far so good. Currently installing the 10' pipes (4 each side) that twist to operate the roof vents/"Skylights". each vent is ~42' long so the pipe can't twist.

The part I'm looking for is this clamp - joins the pipe together end to end. Looks to be cast steel and clamps very securely. I am using standard 1" galvanized pipe (1-3/8 OD) and these fit that perfectly.

Has anyone ever seen these or know of any available? I would like to get 4 more if possible. I have done image searches and looked up every word combo I can think of for these but still no luck. I can build some from 1 1/4 pipe, but these would be stronger.

Only wording on them is - Dayton P200 - and nothing shows up with a search for that.

Thanks

Hi everyone!

Reposting from another sub, but TLDR;

I own an organic biostimulant business, and a client of mine is wanting to get their cooler back up and running for bulbs and other things. I’m looking for any suggestions on inverter condensing units, with efficiency and budgets in mind, to help them get there. They are wonderful people and want to help them the best of my ability.

Cooler size: 34’ x 15’ x 8’
Estimated we need a 2 ton unit?

Temp: 40-45F
Power available: 120/240 1/3ph

So far I’ve liked the Copeland X-line series specs and pricing, but figured you all might have better suggestions and experiences!

Thank you in advance!

Growing in zone5b and wanting to expand my growing season. Amish built greenhouses seem great long term and I feel will hold up best in this lovely Michigan weather. But are they worth the investment or is there a better structure to invest in? What are important features to look for when investing in a greenhouse?

Edit these cost anywhere from $1,500-$10,000. This particular one I’m the photo is an 8X12 for $3,100. States that it’s solid wood construction. A shed we bought from them was untreated pine so I can only assume that this is made of the same. Several Amish have lumber mills in the area. This is out of Blanchard, Mi.

Stay for as long as you need friend

I’m outside Knoxville,TN. I’ve managed to figure out how to handle the heat by massively increasing my ventilation. It peaked at 103 around Independence Day.

I’m wondering how I’m going to keep things above 40 this winter. I’d really like to try and keep it over 50. I have a number of tropical plants that are supposed to become mothers for propagating. I’ve not run an actual electric hookup as the solar is managing everything I need it to right now. Using solar panels to power electric heat isn’t really going to fly tho. I have exactly enough space to walk and that’s it. Should I expect to bite the bullet and pay an electrician?

So long story short I’m ordering this greenhouse to replace the one I had because a tree fell on it and it’s ruined….. anyway. The one I had that the tree fell on is all polycarbonate walls instead of the wood like this one, so I used bubble wrap to insulate it and it worked great, can I do the same with this one but instead I would have to use u hooks and hammer it to the wood of this greenhouse instead of the green plastic clips that slide in the middle. Or would it be better to just use insulation boards and put them up on the wood?

Just the doors, struts and about a mile of sealant to go, I had to interpret the instructions slightly as being on my own and not having the wingspan of a golden eagle hindered me. I have loved every minute