Greenhouse Slideshow

I put together a short slideshow of the greenhouse pictures I've taken since beginning the project. They start in August with pictures of the site and end with the greenhouse's current state (in December 2009). I hope you enjoy the look back!

Greenhouse Update

I just posted another greenhouse update that includes pictures of the new trim that is enclosing the eaves and along roof line. It's progressing nicely and the roof is all enclosed!

Post: Greenhouse Roof Finally Enclosed

The Greenhouse: What To Do Next?

The Greenhouse: What To Do Next? (from The Home Garden ~ In The Greenhouse)


It's been several days since I've been able to accomplish anything on the greenhouse. I'm hoping that Monday will be the day to get things done as it's predicted to be 60 degrees with only a 20% chance of rain. Usually the 20% chance of rain will happen right when I don't want it so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed. Under the picture you will see a short list of what I want to get accomplished ...


Read more of What To Do Next

(edit: fixed the link)

Greenhouse Project: Feeling Closed In

It's time for another backyard greenhouse shed update and I'm excited about this one!  You might ask why am I so excited...the doors have been set! This is when I can see that everything is starting to look like I originally intended. The front doors are on after a little bit of repair work. We shaved off an inch of the bottom of each door because of rotted wood. The rot didn't extend far up the door (less than the inch we cut) but needed removed otherwise it would continue to spread.  The doors have been sitting outside for a long time resting on the ground and just couldn't weather the weather! Additionally cutting an inch off the doors helped the doors fit a little better.

Here in these pictures I have the door and one window propped closed. I needed to attach a latch to the more stationary left side of the front doors so that the right side would lock against it. That's done now but it wasn't when the picture was taken. The window is being held closed since latches haven't been installed for it yet. I have some things to add on the inside before I attach them. The right window needs latches too but holds itself closed pretty well.


What Needs Done on the Front of the Greenhouse: Door trim, trim the gables, window latches, siding, install small windows, paint and stain siding and window frames.

On the back side of the greenhouse shed we added the plywood in the gables, a window in the gable area, the back door and a door/wall. The gable window is hinged and will serve as a vent for the greenhouse. I opened it from the inside today and felt a rush of air, I think it's going to work fine!

The door/wall will be covered in siding and will blend in with the surrounding siding to essentially be a hidden door. The left hand door can open and shut while the door on the right remains closed allowing it to function as either a single door or a double door.

Today I installed doorknobs and deadbolts in the back door from our old patio doors. they are keyed the same as our house which will be very convenient. I need to replace the doorknob and deadbolt on the French doors in the front of the greenhouse with some others I have after I have them matched to our keys.

What Needs Done on the Back of the Greenhouse: Door trim, window latches, secure the right door with latches, add siding, trim gables, paint and stain siding, windows frames and doors.


Here's a little look through the backdoor at the inside of the greenhouse shed, or to paraphrase myself "here's a look at my mess!" All the materials I want to keep dry are stored inside until I don't need them anymore. I doubt I'll have many leftovers. All the plywood will be used to cover the stud openings after insulating to help retain any heat gains the windows make. So much yet to do, but so much has been accomplished!

Greenhouse Project: My Back

While I can assure you that my back is perfectly fine (at the moment!) I do need to have some work done on the back of the greenhouse shed. A few more things have been accomplished since my last greenhouse update but there are always more tasks to tackle (it seems like I've said that before). Since last time I've fitted a door and two windows on hinges. I also put together a moving wall that will match up with the back door to create a double door for the mowers to come through after use. When I don't need to bring out the mowers I will be able to come in through the back door by just going through the one single door on the left. Once it's all put together I'll show you in detail how it will work.

This is the southernmost side of the greenhouse which is where most of the winter light will fall. A good portion of it will come through on the western side which is where the big windows were. Our reason for positioning it this way is party aesthetic and partly function. For aesthetics we wanted to lessen the impact by having the short side of the structure the most visible. For function it had to fit the location and 16 feet back fit better than 16 feet side to side. There is also a small drainage gully that I needed to avoid and the greenhouse had to fit in the boundaries.

I'll be adding a ventilation window in the gable area before we completely close up the gables. I'll rig the window so that it will move on hinges and eventually (as funds become available) I hope to add an automatic opener for it. There area  couple kinds of openers that look pretty good one kind uses solar and the other uses a fluid system (see picture on the left from Gardener's Supply Company). The fluid system is pretty interesting. When the temperature reaches between 65-80 degrees F it expands to let out hot air from the greenhouse.

Most of my plant related activities will take place on the southern western and western sides of the greenhouse while the southeastern portion will be the storage area. I haven't designated the northeastern area yet but it may become a shade corner for those plants that enjoy a little less light!

I can't wait to start using this thing!

Still to do on the greenhouse:

• Add doors on front.
• Finish wall/door on back.
• Enclose gables with appropriate locations for windows.
• Siding, Siding, Siding. 
• Fix locks and latches on windows and doors.
• Insulate, caulk, paint/stain outside.
  

Greenhouse Project: In The Front

Here's a quick look at the front of the greenhouse. My idea is to have the front side or the view from the house appear to be a small cottage in the backyard. The windows on the front were originally from one sliding window that I separated into 2 approximately 20 inch wide windows.  I say approximately because one is slightly larger than the other but most likely no one except those I tell (like you!) will know.

Between the windows the French doors that are currently resting on the corners of the greenhouse will be installed.  The gable areas were left open while I deliberated about what I wanted there. I ran through a few ideas and managed to put together some of what will be installed there.  It involves 4 small 12" x 9" windows that were panes I removed from another window. The window was falling into pieces but the glass was in great shape. Since the window actually had 8 panes of glass I'm planning on making the small glass windows into double pane windows. There's no way I can come close to a factory built vacuum sealed double paned window but any air space between the outside and the inside will improve the insulation ability of the window.

What still needs done on the front of the greenhouse:

• Install the French doors.
• Attach some sort of lock for the windows.
  
• Trim the door area.
• Finish the windows for the gable and panel it with plywood.
• Cover the greenhouse front with trim. 
• And something special I just came up with! Stay tuned to see, it may be several posts away!

Greenhouse Project: A Peek Inside

Today's peek into my greenhouse project is just one little picture, but it's a view from the inside out. The biggest windows have been installed but, as you will see in the picture, need a thorough cleaning and painting. The misty haze on the panes is due to too much time spent outdoors under the effects of the weather.  Dirt and grime have accumulated but I'm confident that they will clean up nicely like the smaller windows did. These two are 6' tall by 7' wide and still need a little leveling. Initially I measured the windows and allowed a little over 1/2 inch of extra space to play with on the windows. When we started to fit them we discovered a little mistake, OK big really.  The bottom of each window was beveled and I made my first measurements from the short end.  This meant that we had to trim a piece off the wood frame in order for it to fit. It was a pain to fit the panes but we had plenty of wood to trim with room to spare. The old dirty windows remind me of an old conservatory.

Taken at 6:49 AM on a cloudy November morning. It's very bright when the sun chooses to shine!

In the back are two open spaces for windows that will swing outward. I've also hooked up one side of the back door but need to do some custom fitting work to get the other side pieced together. A peek up toward the back roof area will reveal the "skylight" made from two storm door windows.  I have some serious caulking to do to make them air and water tight. It's not the windows that are leaking as much as it is around the window framing. I'll come back and fit some flashing around them when I can.

It's very exciting to start to see the sides piecing together.  Yesterday I worked inside the greenhouse for a little while and was able to do all my wood cutting in there. With the walls on the long sides completely covered I didn't have to deal with the wind that came through the yard. It was very cool to be working inside the greenhouse for the first time.  I can't wait to get the doors all put together!

A Short Greenhouse Project Update

Here's just a quick update on the greenhouse-shed project. More work will ensue later in the week but several time consuming things have been done. The roof windows on the south-western side are somewhat framed, the plywood is attached and the shingles are up. The roof is one of the more shed-like aspects of this project. Since the south western side is where the majority of the deciduous trees are located positioning the roof windows (which are really two storm door windows) there will allow the greenhouse to catch the winter sun but not the summer sun. There are plenty of windows around the walls for allowing light to shine through. The angle of the sun in the winter is much lower than at other times of the year and most of the light will actually come through the windows along the walls. More light means more heat which during the winter is a precious commodity.

 

Soon it will be time to add windows, plywood siding, more siding, doors, stain the siding, and add plants. I can't wait for that last one!

The Greenhouse Project: Braced for The Best

Today we worked a little more on the greenhouse project and managed to get another milestone accomplished: the bracing. Unfortunately due to the end of daylight savings time darkness descended too quickly for me to snap some good photos. Besides braces aren't very interesting, just functional.

We put braces on the joists that connect them to the rafters, braces on the front and back post that holds up the beam, and braces under the center beam that crosses the 12 foot side. We also added nails to several places where we had tie plates to ensure tight fits. It may not sound like much but this was another necessary step before the roof can be put together. Most of the roof will be solid but there will be a few areas where windows will allow sunlight to warm the interior. Every day a few more leaves drop and allow more and more light to reach the greenhouse in the afternoon. Once a few more maples drop their leaves the sun will have easy access to the greenhouse.

There's still much more to do but each of the next few steps are more visually significant, which translates into more excitement! Here's what is on the list of things to do for the greenhouse:

• frame the roof windows
• cover the roof with plywood
• cover the roof with roofing
• cover the unglassed walls with plywood
• install windows and doors
• cover the outside plywood with trim and siding
• insulate the insides
• fill the inside with more gravel

Since most of the walls are glass I think the sides will go up quick but the roof may prove to be challenging. I've done a roof once before on my parents' pavilion but every experience is different and has its own unique challenges. After today, I'm braced for the best part!

Previous Greenhouse Posts:

I Need Braces

Shaping Up

Putting Up Posts

Beginning the Framing

Still being Framed

Mostly Screwed

The Greenhouse Project: I Need Braces

We managed to accomplish a little more on the greenhouse project this week. We ran into a small roadblock when we botched putting together the roofline and had to take the rafters down to reattach them to the center beam. I was trying to do things in a simple and easy way which turned out to be complicated and difficult, figures! That's been corrected now and things are back on track. 

The next few days won't be good work days due to the rainy weather and Saturday is Halloween (I'll be Trick-or-Treating with a Kitty Cat and a Princess) so the greenhouse project will be on hold through the weekend but I'm still happy with the progress we've made so far. I think Thanksgiving is a good target date for completion of this project. I have a tendency to underestimate the amount of time needed for completing projects so I'm trying to be generous!

The next step in building this greenhouse is to add braces. We attached metal brackets to the edges of the framing to aid with getting the roof up but they won't hold the weight they need to for this roof to stay up. Having the roof stay up is very important don't you think? The brackets did help to align the rafters and give us a temporary way to hold the rafters while we attached them to the center beam. The ridge line is held up by a post in the back, in the middle attached to a center beam, and in the front above the door headers. The braces we need to add will attach to 12' beams that come across the structure and will connect the rafters that hold up the roof.

After bracing we'll finally be able to add roofing material which will be very exciting! I need to fit a couple windows on one side of the roof to catch more light and heat. The roof will be mostly covered with normal roofing materials but having a couple windows on the western side will help add more afternoon light in the winter. The peak of the roof would ideally be higher to catch more light but we didn't want too tall of a structure in the backyard.

 

 

 

I'm still trying to figure out the heat extremes that I'll have to deal with this winter. The need for supplemental heat will be determined by the daytime temperature and heat loss overnight. I'll insulate the areas of the greenhouse structure that will be without windows which will help reduce some heat loss. There are all kinds of passive heating methods that will help with heat retention and I may need to use them to keep this greenhouse warm for seed starting in late winter. What are the winter temperatures in your greenhouse and what do you use to keep your greenhouse warm on a cold and dark winter eve?

Previous Greenhouse Posts:

Shaping Up

Putting Up Posts

Beginning the Framing

Still being Framed

Mostly Screwed

The Greenhouse Project: Shaping Up

The greenhouse shed project is coming along nicely. As I've mentioned before I'm not rushing things along but striving to do things as perfectly as possible. I'm very pleased with the results so far. Side to side and front to back, the greenhouse is almost exactly the same measurement. The greatest difference is about 1/4" between the longest sides. I figured that's about as close as I could manage!

I missed updating you on Friday so this post will cover everything we accomplished between Friday and Sunday. Consider it a weekend update!

Tasks completed:

• Framing the windows.
• Framing the patio doors openings.
• Attached the headers.
• Attached crossbeams
• Attached brackets for roof rafters.

The above picture is taken from the long side with the big windows. I was taking the picture of the bracket we'll use to hang the rafters but I really like the picture for the golden glow of the tulip poplar tree in the background. Fall color will soon be peaking here in Tennessee.

This picture is taken from the back of the greenhouse shed looking toward the house. The large opening framed here is the backdoor where the mowers will be brought in and out through during the mowing season.

What's next for the Greenhouse Shed?

Raise the roof! Panel the sides Add crushed gravel and more crushed gravel

stick in the windows stick in the doors add the siding insulate and caulk

That's the short list!

Previous Greenhouse Posts:

Putting Up Posts

Beginning the Framing

Still being Framed

Mostly Screwed

The Greenhouse Project: Mostly Screwed

Yes you read the title right. My greenhouse project is mostly screwed.

Rather than use nails to hold everything together we're using coated deck screws as they tend to hold things much better and if you mess something up it's easier to fix!  The three disadvantages of this is it takes longer, the drill eventually runs out of power (although I'm borrowing my dad's which holds a charge pretty good), and they tend to be more expensive.

Did you think I meant something else?

I thought you might be interested in seeing where we stand with the greenhouse project today. All the windows are framed sized and almost tested. I'm waiting to install them until after we have the roof installed. I don't want to risk damaging any the windows with an errant board, foot or ladder. Sizing each opening properly was time consuming. Every window has different dimensions which means a lot of measuring, figuring, and planning. In some cases I had to take apart sliding windows to use individually because the frames were in no condition to be used.

Because we're using a combination of  patio doors and windows some of the openings had to be specially framed. Here in this picture you can see the two rough openings for vertical patio doors on the left and one opening for a patio door turned on it's side for another window.

 

Here's the same side from a different view. The space on the left will be to house the mowers. After all it's not just a greenhouse, it's a shed too!

Since rain is in the forecast for Friday I have no clue if I can accomplish anything on the greenhouse but I'll do what I can. I feel like I've gotten a pretty good start on things but there is still a long way to go!

The Greenhouse Project: Still Being Framed

I've been framed!  The greenhouse-shed almost is framed that is. The framing is coming along slower than I had hoped and as usual my goals prove to be loftier than time actually allows. I do this to myself all the time with projects, underestimating the actual amount of time necessary to complete it. My goal for Wednesday was to finish framing the walls but I'm only about halfway there. The time consuming part of it is making sure that each window area is custom fit to house the random selection of windows I've collected. Into each section extra time is spent thinking and planning to make sure we do it right. 

Wednesday we managed to complete the picture window side (West), the front side, and frame some of the other two sides. We framed enough to remove the braces from the structure. As we framed we made sure that the posts were still straight and in some cases were able to correct some minor warping caused by the natural tendency of wood to warp!

Thursday's Task List:

• Finish framing the east and south sides. The east side will use patio doors attached to the wall for windows and the south side will have the back door for the mower to and a window.
• Cut the ends of the posts. The top parts of the posts are a little too high and need to be trimmed down about 8 inches to the actual height of the structure.
  

Things I won't get done this week:

• The siding. I'm planning on covering the sides with plywood and an additional wood siding. Jenny picked out some colors that she liked (and I did too) a couple weeks ago to stain the outside of the greenhouse. Can you guess what color she liked?
  
• The roof. I'm not even close to putting this together yet. If I had all of Friday I might be able to start on it but thanks to the 70% chance of rain on Friday I doubt any construction will be possible. I'm just lucky I have Today (Thursday)!
• Adding Gravel. The base needs a whole bunch more gravel to add to the floor. On top of the gravel I'm planning on using brick or stone pavers for a hard walking surface.
  
• All Kinds of other things! Setting the windows, putting in the doors, attacking hinges to various windows for opening, a quite a few other things I probably haven't thought about yet!

The Greenhouse Project: Beginning the Framing

Another day is done for the greenhouse-shed project and a little bit more has been accomplished. It's moving along at a good pace; not too fast or hurried but careful and methodical. Yesterday we finished setting the posts and today we ended construction by putting up most of the framing for the first large picture window.

Before the window framing we did quite a few other labor intensive tasks.

• We cut and fitted 4"x6" timbers around the base to hold the posts together and hold the flooring (gravel) inside. 4"x6"s are very heavy and it was quite a chore to set them level them and screw them into the posts.
• After getting the 4"x6" lumber into place we went around the base and added metal plates to join the posts together with the 4"x6"s. Every post received two plates one on the front and the other on the back.
• The last job of the day was to actually frame up a window. We debated for a few minutes on what to do and eventually came to a suitable conclusion. (Prior to construction I came up with a design plan for the greenhouse but after a consultation with a structural engineer (and father-in-law ;)) I made a few changes to improve the stability of the structure. Those changes required a few adaptations for my shed-greenhouse plan.) Beneath the window we built a structure to hold the picture frame window. It's solid, very solid. We connected 4 inch 2"x4" pieces between two 2"x4"s and set them at 12 inches apart which made a very solid 7" tall base for the window.

Tomorrow I hope to get the wall framing accomplished. I'm also concerned that my work week might be ended too soon by the falling rain. Maybe the weather forecasters are wrong, it wouldn't be the first time!

The Greenhouse Project: Putting Up Posts

Yesterday I promised you pictures of the greenhouse project so today here are a few. It doesn't look like much here in the beginning but the work we did today was very important. Today my father and I put in the posts. Posts set in concrete was the best option for the shed-greenhouse idea that I wanted. Originally when I was thinking about building a shed I considered the pier idea. That works fine for shed but due to the amount of glass going into this and the fact that I wanted good drainage for inside the greenhouse I needed a porous surface like gravel.

Here's what we accomplished on the greenhouse today:

• Set nine 10 foot long 4x4 posts into the ground 18 inches with 6 inches of gravel below. I may have used more or less gravel per post depending upon what was needed get them level.
• Leveled and aligned each post multiple times to make sure they were square plum and as perfect as possible!
  
• Concreted a total of 560 pounds of concrete around the posts. (14 - 40 lb. bags)

Setting the posts correctly is the most important part of this project. Since everything rests upon these 9 pillars pressure treated lumber we took extra care with the alignment. When we completed our leveling, aligning and measuring we were 1/4" off between the two sides. To me that's pretty darn good!

You'll notice in the pictures that there are several 2x4 cross bars tying the structure together. We used these to help hold the structure as we were setting and leveling the posts. We started with the right side by measuring and marking lines where the 2"x4"s should go. Then we attached the 2"x4" pieces together across the 4"x4" while they were laying on the ground. After that we raised the side and attacked braces. We did the same for the opposite side then hooked 12' long 2"x4" pieces to tie the sides together. All of this created the network of lumber you see in the picture.

The 2"x4"s will come down and be used for other parts of the greenhouse structure once the sides are framed together. Their main purpose was to enable us to get the posts leveled correctly. In the picture to the left you can see how we pieced the cross braces onto the 4"x4" posts.

There's a lot more to do (obviously) but I'm proud that the most important part was accomplished as well as it was. Having the structure as plum and square as it is will enable all the rest of our work to go better and (hopefully) faster!

The Greenhouse Project: Still Digging...

This weekend found me still digging the greenhouse foundation out. Digging out a 10'x16' area by yourself takes some time, especially when it rains more often than not. But in gardening, as in life, you take what comes and do the best you can with what you have. In three digging sessions I excavated three 4'x8' areas to eventually remove all the sod and much of the soil from the area. I still have to clean more soil from the area, dig and level a little more of the area, and add three more corner post holes plus post holes where the doors will eventually go before any serious construction can begin.

So here's the result of the "big dig."

 That was a lot of dirt!

What's next you ask?

Gravel, Setting posts in concrete, framing...

(lots of other things too but these are the most immediate things to do)

When?

 Hopefully soon! October is usually one of our driest months but that's proving to not the case this year. I'll do what I can do between the rains and take my time with the greenhouse's construction. I still have some finishing to do on the kids' playset to make it safe and that will need to be done first.  I would much rather take two extra months to get this greenhouse-shed done than do something incorrectly.

Have you dug any big holes lately?

(And I don't mean in your gardening budget!)

A Garden Pavilion Update

Last week I told you about a garden pavilion I've been working on and off again in my parents yard. I was working on building the railing to begin enclosing the structure for eventual screening. We completed the rails last Wednesday and here's how it looks now.

The railing pattern:

We designed this pattern after a couple images we saw online from various sites. It's construction is pretty easy once you figure out to use a block as a template for the center and build two T's around it. The problem was we didn't figure that one out until the second day! The "T Forms", as we started to call them, are set in between two 2x2's.

From the front of the pavilion:

This is the view from the house. Eventually my parents would like to put some type of path between the back porch and the retreat. They want a path that would allow them to get to the pavilion in the morning without their feet becoming soaked by the morning dew.

From the right side:

This past weekend they added mulch around the muddy construction areas. Plantings will come later but getting something down to prevent erosion and dress up the area was necessary. Mulch does a good job at addressing those concerns. The rail pattern on this side is slightly different than the other sides as the posts are set a little differently. Along the long sides the posts are about 4 feet apart while the short sides are almost 6 feet apart. On the other side of the pavilion-retreat is a circle of stones that I helped them build a couple years ago as a center piece focal point in their backyard.

From the back:

Here it is from the back looking toward the house.

There are still several things that need done but we're at a point where the retreat is very usable and comfortable.

Still to do:

• Build frames for the screens
• Build the door
• Add decorative trim to the sides of the roofline
• Put up screens
• Stain the wood
  

I caught my parents in the retreat on Saturday sipping spiced apple cider and enjoying the nice fall weather.

My Project of the Week

It's not the greenhouse, at least not today or tomorrow. Over the last couple years (yes I said years) my father and I have been working on a project in his backyard. It began as a patio in the middle of their yard where they could enjoy their backyard spaces and gradually grew into a patio covered with a pavilion that will eventually be screened. With the help of my brother, who lives in California, we put up the structure over the patio. Earlier this summer I roofed it with asphalt shingles and today's project was putting together the railing. (And no I won't come do your roof!)

We researched various designs for railings and settled on something that is somewhat Japanese inspired. Using 2'x2' lumber we built a frame then pieced together four smaller 2'x2' pieces to fit within several other spindles. Hopefully we'll finish the project tomorrow but here's a look at the work we've accomplished so far.

Only one side is complete at this point but several other frames have been put together. All the wood is pressure treated lumber and will eventually get a coat of stain.