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keys
Penny Collector Member
383 Posts |
 Posted - 03/20/2009 : 17:22:58
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A greenhouse can be useful as far as raising your own food all year round but you will need some land in order to build one.
A greenhouse does not have to be made out of glass, a small frame building covered in sheets of plastic will work almost as well, and if the plastic gets damaged repairs will be easy to make.
Glass can break easy, its tough to cut to just the right size, and can be expensive to buy.
If you have the land, build a small version of a greenhouse to experiment with before building a large size version.
A small version one 1 foot square should be just the right size to start out with.
The only thing to remember with a greenhouse is the plastic should be white to reflect some of the suns rays or the plants inside will overheat and wilt.
The tricky part in building a greenhouse is the need for a vent that will open when it gets too hot inside and will close for the evening. The vent could be opened/closed manually but there is always the chance you could forget.
A small greenhouse consisting of just a wooden box and a window pane (or clear hard plastic sheet) on top is called a cold frame. A cold frame is used to harden up plants that have been raised indoors and need to toughen up before being planted outside. The idea is to raise the glass/plastic for 15 minutes a day for a few days, then 30 minutes, then an hour until the plants are tough enough to withstand the outside conditons. After that, the planst will be ready to transplant outside.
There are resources on the web giving greater detail concerning greenhouses, what works in what region, pitfalls to avoid, etc.
If you have the land and desire to grow food year round, give it a try.
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I change with the times-
but like silver coins found in your change
I stay the same.
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The United States of America started out as the new Republic of Rome.
Will The United States of America end up as the New Imperial Rome? |
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fb101
Administrator
USA
2856 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2009 : 17:49:52
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a 6X8 greenhouse can be had at costco for around $650.
I've considered it. |
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Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2009 : 18:49:22
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For a cold frame, talk with a contractor that does window replacement and see if he can save some old single pane window sash or patio door panels for you. Throw together a basic wooden back and sides, presto, you've got a cold frame.
Cost, little or nothing, rewards, PRICELESS! 
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"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
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oober
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1304 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2009 : 23:58:02
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You can do a cold frame with a tomato cage and some saran wrap. I have done this with tomatoes and other plants for yrs...
Nothing better then eating fresh garden grown tomatoes on 4th of July in Wisconsin. |
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Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
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oober
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1304 Posts |
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Your own greenhouse
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