The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Greenhouse: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply

by Atlantic Publishing Company

• ISBN13: 9781601383686
• ISBN10: 1601383681
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-11-30
• Publisher: Atlantic Pub Co

Summary

This book, by walking you through every step of the process in building and taking advantage of your own green house, seeks to layout those issues and ensure you have as easy a time as possible without any surprises. You will learn the various principles of greenhouse use and the different types of greenhouses you can use depending on your location and the specific needs you may have. Learn how to select a proper site and to set a foundation that will hold the greenhouse effectively in place regardless of weather conditions throughout the year and maintain the heat generated in the greenhouse. Learn how to frame your green house and how to effectively glaze the glass. Learn what kinds of ventilation are needed and what forms of supplemental heat, insulation, and heat sinking you will need to acquire for your greenhouse. Greenhouse and plant experts have been interviewed and their insights have been added to this book to help you make the right decisions about which kind of greenhouse is best for you and how to prepare it. Learn how to effectively install the necessary plumbing, wiring, and other amenities your greenhouse needs. Learn what is needed for shutters and shades and how to install cold frames and hotbeds. Learn how to install hoop houses, attached greenhouses, and freestanding greenhouses and the differences between each of them. For anyone seeking a means and the details needed to install their greenhouse, this book will walk you through every necessary step.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 11
The Roots of Greenhouse Building	p. 15
Historical Roots	p. 16
Uses for a Greenhouse	p. 20
What a Greenhouse Does	p. 22
Greenhouse Basics: Conduction, Radiation, and Convection	p. 25
Onward to Greenhouse Types	p. 26
Types of Greenhouses	p. 26
Attached Greenhouses	p. 27
Lean-to Greenhouse	p. 28
Even-span	p. 31
Freestanding Greenhouses	p. 32
Rigid Frame	p. 36
Post-and-Rafter	p. 38
A-frame	p. 38
Summary	p. 40
Choosing the Right Greenhouse for You	p. 43
Climactic Conditions	p. 44
Temperature Controlled Greenhouses	p. 46
Specialty Greenhouses	p. 47
Property Considerations	p. 49
What if You Do Not Have Space?	p. 49
Where Greenhouses Are Used the Most	p. 51
Location, Location, Location	p. 51
Geographic Considerations	p. 53
Space Requirements	p. 58
Summary	p. 63
Planning Your Greenhouse	p. 65
Building Materials	p. 66
Steel and PVC pipe	p. 66
Types of Wood	p. 67
Choosing the Right Tools for the Job	p. 67
Planning for Climate Control	p. 72
Heating and Insulation	p. 75
Greenhouse Heating	p. 77
Insulation as an Alternative	p. 77
Ventilation	p. 79
Plumbing and Electricity	p. 81
Water Lines	p. 81
Electrical Work	p. 82
Installing Receptacles	p. 85
Will You Require a Building Permit?	p. 85
Determining the Need for a Building Permit	p. 86
Summary	p. 87
Building Foundations	p. 89
Choosing a Level Surface	p. 90
Testing For Appropriate Sunlight	p. 91
Preparing the Site	p. 91
Constructing the Foundation	p. 92
Wooden Foundation	p. 95
Concrete Slab Foundation	p. 99
Slope and Drainage for Your Foundation	p. 102
Building with a Greenhouse Kit	p. 102
Building Frames	p. 104
Building a Conventional Greenhouse	p. 105
Summary	p. 107
Constructing the Lean-To / Attached Greenhouse	p. 109
Why a Lean-To Greenhouse?	p. 110
Things to Consider for Your Project	p. 112
Lean-To Greenhouse Plan No. 1	p. 115
Lean-To Greenhouse Plan No. 2	p. 117
Lean-To Greenhouse Plan No. 3	p. 124
Lean-To Greenhouse Plan No. 4	p. 131
Mini Lean-To Greenhouses You Can Buy	p. 132
Simple Mini-Greenhouse	p. 134
A-Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 1	p. 134
Summary	p. 140
Constructing an A-Frame Greenhouse	p. 141
Materials to Choose	p. 142
A-Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 1	p. 144
A-Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 2	p. 150
A-Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 3	p. 157
Summary	p. 159
Constructing Hoop Greenhouses	p. 161
Hoop Greenhouse Plan No. 1	p. 163
Hoop Greenhouse Plan No. 2	p. 169
Hoop Greenhouse Plan No. 3	p. 174
Hoop Greenhouse Plan No. 4	p. 181
Heating Your Hoop Greenhouse	p. 184
Summary	p. 186
Cold Frame Greenhouses	p. 187
Things to Consider	p. 189
Advantages of Cold Frame Greenhouse	p. 190
How to Use a Cold Frame Greenhouse	p. 191
Cold Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 1	p. 192
Cold Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 2	p. 193
Cold Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 2.5	p. 194
Cold Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 3	p. 195
Cold Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 4	p. 196
Cold Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 5	p. 197
Cold Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 6	p. 198
Cold Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 7	p. 206
Cold Frame Greenhouse Plan No. 8	p. 207
Summary	p. 208
Building Accessories for Your Greenhouse	p. 209
Potting Benches	p. 209
Types of Potting Benches	p. 210
Potting Bench Plan No. 1	p. 212
Potting Bench Plan No. 2	p. 214
Potting Bench Plan No. 3	p. 215
Shelving	p. 217
Shelf Plan No. 1	p. 218
Shelf Plan No. 2	p. 219
Shelf Plan No. 3	p. 221
Raised Gardening Beds	p. 222
Advantages	p. 222
Disadvantages	p. 223
Putting Together Your Beds	p. 224
Constructing a Gardening Bed	p. 226
Summary	p. 232
Choosing Covering Materials	p. 233
Glass	p. 233
Polycarbonate	p. 235
Acrylic	p. 236
Fiberglass	p. 237
Plastic Film	p. 238
Summary	p. 240
Accessories and Notions	p. 241
Sound	p. 242
Music for Your Consideration	p. 242
Shading	p. 244
Screening Agents	p. 245
Misting Systems	p. 247
Grow Lights	p. 249
Temperature Gauges	p. 253
Humidistat	p. 254
Lighting Meter	p. 255
Automatic Vent Opener	p. 256
Ground Cover	p. 257
Greenhouse Maintenance	p. 261
Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Greenhouse	p. 261
Checking Windows and Doors	p. 262
Checking Ventilation Systems	p. 264
Checking Water Tanks and Irrigation Systems	p. 265
Additional Greenhouse Plans	p. 267
Window Mount	p. 268
Lean-To	p. 276
Freestanding Wood Frame	p. 283
PVC Hoop Design with Wood Base Frame	p. 290
A-Frame	p. 296
Wooden Arched A-Frame	p. 302
Pole Barn	p. 308
Hoop Design	p. 312
Mini PVC Frame	p. 316
Potting Bench #1	p. 320
Potting Bench #2	p. 323
Conclusion	p. 326
Glossary	p. 327
Author Biography	p. 331
Index	p. 333
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