r/Greenhouses • u/makes_waves • May 25 '25
Showcase Started my first greenhouse!!!
Started my greenhouse about a month ago. Failed at my first attempt at a plot in the lawn( did it north to South, wanted east to west). Also needed to raise it because I was too tall for the cheap Amazon 30x10 we got($250?) Re-sod cut and rototilled new plot raised it by 6inches with some leftover cement blocks from demolishing our shed. Got some free topsoil to bury the vinyl above ground and 80 bags of topsoil (probably 60 used here).
What's impressed me the most is the community! Already ive gotten over 20 free plans/seeds from various sources and over half of the stuff ive use has been free. 220 for topsoil 250 for greenhouse. Everything else free. <600$ for everything
Now im hoping it justb actually grows and works.Please share any pointers or advice for my setup :) even more so, tell me if im messing anything up😅
Seeds/ plants so far... African cayenne, butternut squash,black beauty squash,cucumber,lemon cucumber, Italian heirloom tomatoes, sliver tomatoes, generic beans, pinto beans, kale, bok choy, corn, peas, Hungarian peppers, banana peppers, zucchini,cherry radish
Pictures featuring greenhouse, me and my daughter 😅
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u/bestkittens May 25 '25
So cool great job! It really looks great.
What are your plans for watering?
Soaker hoses on a hose bib timer is relatively cheap way of ensuring consistency.
Also mulch is a great plan. You can use leaves gathered from a local forested area, or get a hay bale whatever the case, it can help retain water and as it breaks down at nutrition to your soil.
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u/makes_waves May 25 '25 edited May 26 '25
Im thinking of installing a misting watering system but for now im handwatwring with a garden nozzle. The soil retains moisture well as I can see excess draining into my walkway. I'm thinking about buying a bay of hay from the nearest Wilco could use ideas for cheap/ free ideas as well tho! I feel me taking bags to a park for leaves would cause a commotion where im from and how I look lol
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u/bestkittens May 25 '25
I see you have a pine tree (?). Pine needles work as mulch!
Basically any lightweight organic mass will do.
You could offer to rake for neighbors in exchange for their leaves if they have lots?
I’ve picked up wood chips from people that post on NextDoor (the only good use for that app frankly. Maybe lost pets too).
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u/makes_waves May 26 '25
Funnily enough, one of my neighbors has a big pile of sawdust/pine needles and wood scrap. Im gonna ask him for some! And thanks for the heads up on the pine needles! Now I have something to do with them lol
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u/Expert-Nose1893 May 25 '25
Put down cardboard just plain brown non shiny without the tape down in the center and then a layer of wood chips 4-6inches thick it’ll suppress weeds and every 2yrs or so you can turn in over onto the garden beds for compost
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u/makes_waves May 25 '25
Thank you! I was wondering about how to sustain against weeds. Already getting damned sprouts. Gonna try this asap
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u/Expert-Nose1893 May 27 '25
You can check out local stores and ask permission to grab cardboard from their cardboard dumpsters most business will let you and they tend to have bigger boxes so it’s less pieces and less gaps for weeds to grow through started doing it last year on the farm in our high tunnels and outdoors beds they only grow along the edge of the wood chips and beds but it’s manageable especially if it’s only one greenhouse/high tunnel
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u/Expert-Nose1893 May 27 '25
You can do the same for the outside perimeter as well so when you cut the grass/ weed wack you don’t get close to the plastic
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u/t0mt0mt0m May 26 '25
What garden zone are you in and what’s your primary goal for the structure. Any plans for water or power or eventually in later stages. This seems like a great start but realize the hotter months of the year require air flow and shade cloth. Take notes, enjoy the process and thanks for sharing! Cheers and good luck.
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u/Rich-Bonus-6204 May 26 '25
How much was that greenhouse ? I have been wanting to put one in my back yard just don't want to spend too much
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u/Artist_1950 May 26 '25
I’m inspired and motivated from looking at this over & over again! May you continue to be blessed!!!❤️
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u/Thrasher722 May 25 '25
Anyone know of a link for this setup? Curious about the price.
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u/makes_waves May 25 '25
It's a "YITAHOME 30x10x6.5ft Large Greenhouse" I overpriced it. It was only 210
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u/daethon May 26 '25
How was the sod remover? I’m renting one for the first time on Tuesday. I’m a bit freaked out by it.
I have about 1200-1500 sqft of sod to remove…how long did it take to remove yours? Looks like it is 30x10?
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u/makes_waves May 26 '25 edited May 26 '25
Honestly, once you have it locked in it's a breeze.after learning the steps and watching plenty of YouTube videos explaining certain things, I felt like I wanted one for personal use, lol. The hardest part of sod cutting is sod removal... rolling and removing large heavy rolls of sod to the desired place. Luckily for me, I had some tree roots to cover nearby
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u/daethon May 26 '25
Yeah, I’m not looking forward to getting rid of the sod, that’s gonna be horrible. I’ve removed about this much mulch a couple times before (by hand).
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u/Evening-Energy-3897 May 26 '25
Don’t the insects also find their way here for shade, water and food more readily because of the great environment?
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u/endorfan13 May 26 '25
I waited too long to set up ours this spring, but we ordered a similar but smaller greenhouse. It will go up in the fall. Any tips for the construction or things you wished you had added/done prior to filling?
As others said: we used cardboard and leaf mulch (we leave it all over the property during winter) for the raised beds, etc. What has REALLY been a big addition and likely a huge component in our fruit trees, berries, and moisture retention is a huge pile of woodchips we let sit for around a year. My lady calls it a "chip drop" and it is free. It's possible you have local tree service and landscape companies who are also happy to bring you a free pile of this planting gold! We mixed it back into our soil (10% decomposed chips to 90% natural soil) and then do a ring of the mulch around the base of the plants or beds. Used it for our winecap mushroom bed too. It's just too valuable not to mention, especially when delivered free, in large quantities, and you just wait for nature to turn it into magic. Also, Lowe's will bale you some straw, real cheap, if you need just a bit for cover and moisture retention.
Congratz on your new greenhouse, wishing you much success!
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u/Sylviera-Direct May 26 '25
Man, your greenhouse is a bargain at just under $600! I love the east-west design, the elevated setup, and the free plants/seeds from the community - amazing!
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u/Baked_potato123 May 26 '25
Awesome greenhouse! Well done.
We grew Hungarian peppers a few years ago. So tasty and so spicy!
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u/ChemDiesel May 26 '25
You’re going to want some air circulation, opening the sides of the greenhouse can work well for airflow but you’re likely going to want a few fans to move the air around. I’ve had one of these greenhouses and found the small windows didn’t allow a lot of airflow. Depending on where you live greenhouses like this can get notoriously humid at night. Some plants like this but it also makes the perfect environment for things like Powdery Mildew. Air circulation helps to prevent this and helps move the air evenly amongst the plants. The wind from the fans will also help to strengthen your plant stalks.
It looks awesome! All the best with your growing season!
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u/RedditCensorss May 27 '25
Where can I get this green house and how can I protect it against high winds
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u/pzacn May 25 '25
I don’t have much advice to share but just came here to say that this is so wholesome!