Bob

Last week it snowed 10". It warmed up although yesterday morning there was still snow on the ground.

Since the day was going to get warm(it hit 70F) I figured todays' a good as any to put up the cheap plastic tunnel bought mid winter on ebay.


It went up easily but since it was about to blow in to the next county I staked it down. Spikes were 18" to 2' in to the ground and used plastic ties to attach them to the frame.

YOUVE GOT TO HAVE A THERMOMETER( actually im going to get a Hi/Lo to monitor whats going on.

Finished it off with a big piece of slate(you can barely sse it inside) on to which will go a kerosene heater around April 1st.
All buttoned up. Depending on temps I have some windmill and needle palms going in the ground this year to move in. The house is getting full. Bananas will hopefully start in here mid April depending on air/soil temps.

The whole project cost less than $150, the hoop house with shipping was $120. I traded a case of beer for a brand new kerosene heater. All the rest was scrounged from the shed.
Next up some field hockey goals that will soon be poly tunnels as well.

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Michael_Andrew

Wow. I never thought you could get set up with a tunnel that cheap. Nice going Bob. So do you call it a green green house?

Taylor

Beautiful! Nice thermometer!

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"When Momcilo Krajisnik, Karadzic's successor, was asked about the chances of restoring a multiethnic unitary Bosnia, he responded with biting sarcasm: "You can't grow bananas here," he said, "bananas may grow in Africa but not here." He was not alone."
-John G. Stoessinger, Why Nations Go To War

Worm_Farmer

Very NICE! I am going on ebay right now to find one of these!

Dalmatiansoap

Bravo Bob,
Nice score U have there!!

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austinl01

Awesome thermometer and good building on the greenhouse.

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Austin
Arkansas River Valley

Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F
Extreme Winter Lows: 12-15°F, Extreme Summer Highs: 105-112°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

Ueberwinden

Bob,

I have needed to put up a greenhouse for several years now. This just might be the year to do it. Don't forget to post some pictures once you fill it.

Michael

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White Horticulture
Rare, Tropical, Unique

hammer

nice green house for the price mine is a 10x10x8 got it this last year 90pounds easey to move day tenp 82 night70 got it at target

Chironex

Bob, I have the peaked roof twin to yours. I should have purchased the quonset style, but was in a hurry to get one, so I didn't think about the pluses and minuses. I couldn't stake mine down, so I turned the bottom flaps in and set the largest pots on them to hold it in place. I like it though.
My only complaint is that they should have put velcro all the way around the window openings. But, for the money, it works fairly well.

Now to find one of those thermometers. I looked on eBay but the cheaper one is broken and the other is waaaaaay to much money in my opinion.
So I will watch for another one.

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Scot

Tog Tan

Hey Bob, very nice set up. Do they come in bigger sizes?

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

Bob

Thanks all, I figured there would be a lot of interest in the thermometer! The one in the pic is metal and I got it for about $20. Also there are plastic versions usually in better condition. Search ebay long enough and you'll get one reasonably. Sometimes they go for ridiculous amounts only to see the same thing come up a few weeks later for a good price.
For the $120 I paid for it I'm happy even if I get a couple of years using only in spring or fall.
Scot, good point about the windows. I guess velcro's cheap enough it might be worth adding to keep the heat in at night.
Tog, these are so cheaply made that I probably wouldn't get a bigger one. When I post my next project you'll see how I'd do it for a larger sturdier hoop house that still would be reasonable and stronger.

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momoese

I agree, that's a cool thermometer! I'll have to look for one myself.

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Mitchel

LilRaverBoi

LMFAO...that's awesome!
Glad you staked it down....just make sure it's super solid. After dealing with a lot of similar structure for camp-outs/festivals, I know that they're not always the most solid when exposed to wind. I'd hate to see yours get blown down in a storm or something. Also, as for the heat, I'm not sure what the output is on your heater, but it might be difficult to keep a consistent temperature in your greenhouse. Maybe try a timer if it doesn't have a thermostat.

Great work, though...looks like you'll be getting started early this spring!

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BANANA RAVE!
Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top!
lilraverboi@genxglow.com
RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you!
I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

Kylie2x

BOB!!! Congrats!! That is very cool!!! YES I am Jealous...LOL
The Thermometer.. SOOO COOOOOL! made me want to throw a Pineapple and Banana on my head and dance...Carmen Miranda Style...
what was thermometer called on ebay I would love to have one...
Thanks!!!
Kylie

Bob

Hey Kylie, just search chiquita in ebay. they pop up there all the time ,just be patient and don't over pay. There's been one there for $75 bucks for a while . I got a couple between 20 and 30 $. Metal and plastic........ B.O.B.

Oh if you're overcome and end up doing the Carmen Miranda dance , please post for us all.

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Tog Tan

Hey Bob, as to the inquiries about the thermometer in your new castle, I thought this could be a great alternative. It's only (2 x 5 x 1/4)in and very light, being made of plastic. It has both the thermometer and the RH (Relative Humidity) meter side by side. I find it quite accurate and it's small enough to be put into a deli box to check the reading of your seed germination. In fact, it's so convenient you can put it anywhere.

I normally carry one around when I go collecting plants in the jungle so that I can note down the readings to be replicated for the specimens I bring home.

It's a gadget meant for checking the environment condition of reptile housing. I have many of them and now they are put to good use for my plants. It's made by ZooMed and you can find them on the net. Have a look at their catalog. They have all kinds of stuff which is also suitable for plants such as heat mats, heat source and very good lighting tubes which is of very high quality.

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

Chironex

Almost lost my greenhouse the other day when the winds kicked up! I had to put everything that I could find on the flaps just to hold it down. I think the gusts were 40-50 mph. It's still here, but the sides of it blowing in and out broke off a nice pstem on a lasiocarpa! I was so P.O.'ed, but maybe it will pup. It snapped it off right at soil level. <Groan>

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Scot

CookieCows

So sorry to hear about the wind damage Scot! This is my first time looking at this thread and I was going to ask if either of you had any wind to speak of to see how they would hold up and I guess I got that answered. We get pretty high winds here off and on. At least the plastic and structure stayed intact though.

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Bob

I'm in a particularly windy spot . I drove anchors at least 2' some much longer in to the ground 4 per side and fastened them to the frame. It hasn't budged.

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CookieCows

I bet the dome shape helps.

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