Portable Garage convert

Do-it-yourself projects such as greenhouse or shadehouse builds and related topics.
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luigonz
Posts: 103
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:31 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA

Portable Garage convert

Post by luigonz »

Hello everyone.
Here is a story in pictures of my first greenhouse.
I had debated over a few months on how to build this taking into account: budget, cover material (plastic sheet/poly twin wall/ poly corregated panel), and local climate ( central Texas we get hot summers and somewhat mild winter with rain mid 20[-3.5C] to 100[38C].

I also factored in how long i wanted the greenhouse in its location: I built a ciderblock base to level the 4x4 treated lumber but did not cement it in place.

please let me know if yall have any suggestions.

(also notice the amount of time it took me, only working weekends, measure by the vines in the garden) :D
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started with a dry fit of the lumber and steel frame (need to move that peach tree!)
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added four 4x4 lumber piers inside the cinderblock foundation. secured them to the horizontal 4x4 base.
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decided on metal strapping to wrap the steel frame and secure the 2x4 lumber
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added all-weather tape to decrease risk in tearing the plastic
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added 2 layers of weed fabric and covered with limestone gravel
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used a combination of batten tape with bradnails/ pvc snap claps/ and wiggle wire to secure the plastic
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a view of the seed germination station/ need to shield from the sun
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some blooms during the trans

temps in the greenhouse have already reached into the 100s(~37C) have a venting schedule in place.
All that is need now is to install a door, mosquito netting for the roll up sides and build more benches for future plant :lol: . I will post updates soon.

thanks for viewing!
-lui
'The skeletons of the plants are for me as important as the flowers.'
instagram: @oakbeard
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greenknight
Posts: 4807
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
Location: SW Washington State zone 8b

Re: Portable Garage convert

Post by greenknight »

I would add diagonal bracing to the 2x4 frames of the end walls. Nice setup, though.
Spence :mrgreen:
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K.W.
Posts: 3820
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:30 pm
Location: Köln, Germany - Zone 8a

Re: Portable Garage convert

Post by K.W. »

=D> =D> =D>

Best wishes

K.W.
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
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Tiggy
Posts: 971
Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2011 8:24 pm
Location: Inland from Imperia 800msl Italy

Re: Portable Garage convert

Post by Tiggy »

Great job there Lui. I bet you don't have quite so much spare space by now though :lol:

Susi
Nature Lover
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luigonz
Posts: 103
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:31 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA

Re: Portable Garage convert

Post by luigonz »

We had a Tornado come through here in late Feb.
The greenhouse survived better than the house!
Only damage to the GH was the plastic ripped off the frame...just re-stapled it .

All the trays got blown over. Most of the cacti was just laying around. pots and soil everywhere. only real loss was ALL my seedlings. :cry:

but we get past it! :lol:

Last photo is of the GH with the mosquito nets added.

Will upload some photos of the new benches and cacti once they are in proper order!

I will leave yall with some photos of spring blooms here in the GH and rock garden.
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'The skeletons of the plants are for me as important as the flowers.'
instagram: @oakbeard
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rsales3
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Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:03 pm
Location: Orange County, California

Re: Portable Garage convert

Post by rsales3 »

Glad to hear that you are OK, hopefully the tornado did not do too much damage to your house. Kinda hard to tornado-proof a greenhouse but sounds like much of your collection made it through. Lots of cleanup work I'm sure. Hope your recovery goes/went well. Hard to look at the picture of the knocked over plant tables but looks like the actual structure held out pretty good.
Good Luck!
-Rei
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