build a greenhouse

The weather broke for a bit today. I finished the benches inside and got started on the drains around the perimeter. I made a door and hung it…but I really don’t like it. I started some seeds: Tomato, peppers, rosemary, thyme and I moved my pinot noir vines inside. I still need to do the floor and pipe in water and power…but it’s close :)

I made the drive to a greenhouse supply store and purchased my Solexx panels. I was bummed that they were so expensive…because up till now everything had no real cost. Then yesterday I went to work putting the sheeting and poly panels up. I finished everything but the door. I’ll have to wait until the weather gets better to do any more work. I don’t mind the rain…but today is ridiculous! A quick note on design theory: I went inside today to check for leaks and noticed that the floor (still just dirt) was saturated with rain water flowing under the footing…I’ll have to trench in a french drain around the perimeter to stop that from happening every time it rains.

I milled more lumber and framed a Gambrel-style roof. I still have to plan out the benches and venting…but it’s coming along. I will go into the city and buy the glazing in the next few days or so. Tomatoes and Green beans and Strawberries…OH MY!

Yesterday I milled up some of the salvage spruce into 1×3 lumber. I framed up the lower section of what will become the greenhouse. This section will be covered in regular siding…the rest in a doublewall poly. :)+

So it’s early March and I’ve taken the tractor out and “broken ground”. But it’s also the Oregon coast and it rains ALOT. So…I’ve got the foundation laid out and the garden area graded….I just need to frame it up and attach the poly panels.

In this time of economic crisis…I shall grow some of my own food. This project compliments a couple of other goals nicely as well. Such as cooking and living a more healthy lifestyle.