Makeshift Greenhouse

[veg4681]

Currently we have a 10 (front) x 20 (side) feet wooden shed (for hobby) which takes up a big chunk of the main garden lawn. On one side of the 20ft, it receives a good amount of sun. I was wondering if there's any way I could make up a makeshift greenhouse in the depth of 1.5-2 feet. I'd prefer to keep it narrow because I don't want to block the view of my glorious evergreen shrubbery that we enjoy from the house.

What kind of horticultural grade plastic (with UV protection) would be the best to use for this purpose? Loose from roll type or sheet type? Whereabouts can I get them for the size I need? It would be nice to have something that isn't too complicated and that you can take it down easily. BTW the roof has a guttering pipe along the 20ft wall if it's any help. Thanks.

[nick the grief]

Hi Veg,

I know someone who converted his shed to a greenhouse

What you can do is take out the boarding ( needn't be to the base just to the level of your staging) and then I'd replace it with either Polycarb sheeting ( the clear stuff ) or Horticultural glass - it wouldnt be hard to fit it.

The roof I'd replace with the twinwall plastic sheeting it's a better insulator than single and the fact that it's slightly Opaque wont hurt. You can leave the guttering on and perhaps even think about making a false back for it peinted white or covered with a replactive folm ( like Mylar) it will help to stop the plants being drawn

[veg4681]

Sorry Nick the Grief, I didn't mean converting the existing shed to a greenhouse. I must be such a lousy writer to be misinterpreted, sorry I'm not very good at describing technical stuffs clearly.

What I was trying to get at was making a makeshift greenhouse, something like lean-to design on the 20ft wall space of the existing shed. For the cheapest method, I had thought of simply hanging up a big clear plastic cover from the guttering pipe (peg down with clothese pegs??). The actual areas of 'makeshift greenhouse' (1.5 ft gap between shed wall & plastic) would be quite narrow so I was wondering if I could get away with having any frame type of support for the plastic. Of course I should have said so earlier but I was too embarrassed to disclose the somewhat crude nature of my design.

[nick the grief]

No probs, In that case make a frame and cover it in Polythene on the fron & sides and use the clear plastic sheeting ( the wavy stuff) for the roof. You could make some 10" wide shelving an then you can put seed trays on it and in the summer you ccould grow Toms, cukes, peppers & the like in it.

[Snadger]

I presume this is for growing tomatoes or suchlike during the summer? If so I dont think fastening it to the guttering with clothes pegs is a good idea. The slightest bit of wind (and lets remember we have in effect, a 20 foot by 7 foot parachute here!) will rip it and probably the guttering down!
Better to fasten a bit of timber below the guttering to the wall after wrapping the plastic sheet around it a couple of times and making a polythene curtain.
Although more costly and time consuming, I think a basic wooden framework could be knocked up from below the guttering with something like slaters laths and covered with whatever you fancy, or can afford. Remember you have to be able to access this structure some way so either roll up or hinged sections or even lift out sections are a must.

Good luck with the project and let's see a piccie of it when it's finished!

[Peter]

A friend has used redundant secondary double glazing to enclose the two foot veranda of his shed and uses it for his cacti.
These are large single glazed plastic frames which slot into U shaped (sort of) channel screwed to the concrete path and wooden overhanging roof. Nice and snug, well-sealed, also easy access as the panels slide in the channel.

He is a bit of a d.i.y. god , mind.

[rustylady]

My first "greenhouse" was a lean-to made out of next door's old windows (they were having double glazing fitted). Worked really well for 4 years or more. Used "wavy plastic" for the roof. I would always recommend using rigid plastic instead of sheeting, if the wind gets up the plastic sheeting blows and rips.

[veg4681]

He is a bit of a d.i.y. god , mind.

Thanks for design info, very clever with the sliding door concept. I should think I should be alright...DH has built a wooden shed big enough for 2 cars but was for storing junk and two big metal hangers, all built to very high standard, no cowboy jobbies. So I ought to get something out of him!!!

My first "greenhouse" was a lean-to made out of next door's old windows (they were having double glazing fitted). Worked really well for 4 years or more. Used "wavy plastic" for the roof. I would always recommend using rigid plastic instead of sheeting, if the wind gets up the plastic sheeting blows and rips.

It just goes to show how it makes sense to use materials that are already available around the house...get the good recycling habit going. I checked the price of acrylic sheet, they're a bit too dear and we have nothing spare here from the window glazing. DH strongly insists on horticultural plastic on cost, then he can design a super-dooper plastic greenhouse.

If things go my way with successful tomato growing, I might post a picture next year...I'm sure Snadger would love to see the piccies (only if the tomatoes are red, green ones don't qualify as success ).

[veg4681]

Just to keep you updated, I've decided to go for a 'fleece curtain approach' to a makeshift greenhouse against the sunny side of the shed wall. As fleece is so light, I believe I will be able it peg it down along the guttering pipe with clothes pegs.

I got this idea from our neigbhour who thinks this method is even better than a conventional greenhouse with your heat & ventilation sorted yet you still get your rainwater and air through. My neighbour has implemented a similar system on one side of their greenhouse where they have a shelf leaning like a mini nursery for raising seedlings. I had thought that with my lack of experience using a greenhouse, I'm more likely to set my tomatoes on fire. Thank you all for sharing your design ideas.