Greenhouse Advice

[Helena]

Would like to put up another greenhouse but closer if not attached to the house. Presently have a dome plastic covered house that I use to finishe my seedlings off in the spring and eary summer here in upstate PA. Don't have or want to deal with putting heat into this greenhouse and was wondering if anyone has an attached greenhouse to your house or one near the house and heat it during the winter for constant supply of fresh greens during the cold months. do we build are own, buy another kit, heating it, wood stove ?? Need to keep on an almost "nothing" budget so any ideas of self doing would help.

[Helena]

Live in upstate Pa where we have very cold weather and snow and short growing seasons for outside gardens. We do have a garden that now supplies us with veggies that we can and freeze during the winter but would like to know what and how you all grow veggies/greens during the winter months for fresh eating. What veggies grow the best for you and how much to you get for winter eating ??

[amwitched]

A friend of mine enclosed their porch with 6mil plastic and was able to heat it when she dried her laundry. Her dryer vented inside that enclosure. Also, you would be able to plug a space heater inside the area if it got really cold. As for winter greens, they really enjoy the cooler weather. The daytime heat may be just enough for them.

[MELOC]

plug in heating pads could help with direct heating of the plants. perhaps mini row covers (mini hoop houses) inside the greenhouse could help too.

[zukgod]

I would just attatch the greenhouse to the house in the form of a sun room. Have the glass on a North facing wall and put as much insulated glass as possible only on the North wall. Then I would insulate the rest of the room really well, and even install a door to the rest of the house and on cold days open that door which will heat the greenhouse. You will in turn on sunny days also get some heat for your home.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Josh

[kruizeag]

I have a 10x20 greenhouse attached on one end to my garage. We made the greenhouse from a car port frame we bought at tractor supply. I added 2x8's around the bottom and covered it with greenhouse plastic. Don't use the cheap stuff from Lowes or Home Depot. It deteriorates in less than 6mos. The door is a nice storm door that I got for free. I use an inflatable yard decoration blower to inflate the two layers of plastic and have two house fans to circulate the air. I spent about $700 to build it. I tried small electric "Milk House" heaters to heat it the first year. That cost about $150 a month to run and did a poor job of heating on cold nights below 40 degrees. I now heat it with a small wood stove I got for free. I also get free firewood from a friends 10 acre lot. If you want to grow greens and such without added heat, read Eliot Colemans book on "Four Season Harvest." It is very good at telling you what and how to grow in unheated greenhouses and cold frames.