My Mini-Greenhouse Collapsed!

Last summer, I purchased an inexpensive mini-greenhouse that was highly recommended here.

It had blown over a couple of times. Today's relatively strong winds even blew over a ceramic pot that was on my patio table. I decided to set up the greenhouse again, only with ballast.

I weighted everything down with anything I could find (half-empty bags of compost, partially-filled boxes of tile, etc. The very next gust broke the frame and toppled the whole thing!

So, I'm now seeking a cost-effective alternative. My next-door neighbors just installed a 6'x8' greenhouse for $199.00 that looks very sturdy, although they bolted it to a self-made wooden frame. However, they swear that it was a B**** to put together.

Any suggestions?

Couldn't you just build frame with heavy duty pipe and slip your greenhouse over it. That would add some weight and you could anchor it down with re-barb or ????.

Ummm.... I'm not that handy. I can generally handle a screw driver and hammer, but that's about all.

I forgot to mention that the mini-greenhouse was on my wooden deck.

donnainzone10 wrote:Last summer, I purchased an inexpensive mini-greenhouse that was highly recommended here.

It had blown over a couple of times. Today's relatively strong winds even blew over a ceramic pot that was on my patio table. I decided to set up the greenhouse again, only with ballast.

I weighted everything down with anything I could find (half-empty bags of compost, partially-filled boxes of tile, etc. The very next gust broke the frame and toppled the whole thing!

So, I'm now seeking a cost-effective alternative. My next-door neighbors just installed a 6'x8' greenhouse for $199.00 that looks very sturdy, although they bolted it to a self-made wooden frame. However, they swear that it was a B**** to put together.

Any suggestions?

Ask your neighbour.... if you buy all the gear will they make your green house for you as they know what they're doing

plantoid wrote:

donnainzone10 wrote:Last summer, I purchased an inexpensive mini-greenhouse that was highly recommended here.

It had blown over a couple of times. Today's relatively strong winds even blew over a ceramic pot that was on my patio table. I decided to set up the greenhouse again, only with ballast.

I weighted everything down with anything I could find (half-empty bags of compost, partially-filled boxes of tile, etc. The very next gust broke the frame and toppled the whole thing!

So, I'm now seeking a cost-effective alternative. My next-door neighbors just installed a 6'x8' greenhouse for $199.00 that looks very sturdy, although they bolted it to a self-made wooden frame. However, they swear that it was a B**** to put together.

Any suggestions?

Ask your neighbour.... if you buy all the gear will they make your green house for you as they know what they're doing

A bribe of chocolate thrown into the offer might work wonders

I purchased one of those mini greenhouses from Lowes, it was together and on sale.
I placed it in a shopping cart to take it to my car...the entire unit fell apart in the parking lot.
Needless to say I returned it, picked up a 4 tier shelf rack, a couple of grow lights.
Made a small greenhouse in my basement and love it.
Those 4 & 5 tier racks lowes has, in my opinion are very good..I have 4 of them.
Going to take this one out on the deck when warmer weather arrives.

One thing I've not yet seen on the greenhouse type threads for SFG etc is the 4 inch frame made of treated timber ( laid out on the ground to mark angles etc ) that's then drilled and coachbolted together
The glazing is empty 3 pint soda pop bottles with the bottoms cut off pushed inbetweem horrizontal pairs of stout wires .
the roof follows the sam idea but also has some poly sheet added to make it water proof .
The frame is set in the ground about 18 inches deep and concreted in for the strongest of growing houses .
I'll see if I can find some pictures of these green /recycled bottle houses .
You can build them to what ever size you feel you need and make them at least six foot high at the eaves so long as you can source the bottles .

Munchkins school is collecting the empty bottles to get theirs going ..at present they are abut half way through.

Here you are....
http://www.squidoo.com/plasticbottlegreenhouse

If you run " plastic bottle greenhouse " through google and go to images you'll see some fantastic constructions .. providing you get the frame anchored you should see them last for six or more years without any problems whatsoever.

I reckon that they'd cost roughly the same as one of the cheapie plastic sheet & frame failures

jimmy cee wrote:Going to take this one out on the deck when warmer weather arrives.

That's probably one of the best bets, outside of a hoop house over your bed, but a rack is easier to tend seedlings with.

So will you drape plastic over it to greenhouse it?

NHGardener wrote:

jimmy cee wrote:Going to take this one out on the deck when warmer weather arrives.

That's probably one of the best bets, outside of a hoop house over your bed, but a rack is easier to tend seedlings with.

So will you drape plastic over it to greenhouse it?

I'm not quite sure what exactly I am going to do with this setup.
It will be exposed to weather, summer sun & rainstorms, etc.
I am thinking of having 3 sides closed with plastic, removable front and top.
It will have shade above and sun off and on, I'll be able to move it around even into a garage if needed
I will have seedlings in all season, I'm not concerned about their outcome, I am doing this to gain experience with seeds....I know I wont need any heat... ....at least I hope not.

Hi donnainzone10,
I am planning on building this green house soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKlXs8iov0

the video shows you how to build it.
It measures approx...7'x 8'. he offered free plans so I signed up and he emailed them to me as a pdf.
but, just this week he sent me an email saying he is removing the plans soon because he will be offering them on amazon for purchase.

WI FarmChick Cool video

WI FarmChick wrote:Hi donnainzone10,
I am planning on building this green house soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKlXs8iov0

the video shows you how to build it.
It measures approx...7'x 8'. he offered free plans so I signed up and he emailed them to me as a pdf.
but, just this week he sent me an email saying he is removing the plans soon because he will be offering them on amazon for purchase.

If you do build it as per his plans make sure that the shelf support rests on a bit of steel instead of being stapled up & hanging in the middle of no where (as it is shown in his video clips) . It will be much stronger and allow a decent weight to sit on the shelf

Although I like this greenhouse, I don't think I have the skills or the strength to build it by myself.

I just purchased another mini-greenhouse, a bit more sturdy than the last, and will endeavor not to over-weight it. Will probably put something weighing just a few pounds on the top shelf, and perhaps several potted plants on the bottom one.

Next year, however.... I plan to explore other larger options. 6'x8' is about my max. Of course, it will require guy wires or other methods to wind-proof it. Tonight, gusts up to 50 mph are predicted.

WI FarmChick wrote:Hi donnainzone10,
I am planning on building this green house soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKlXs8iov0

the video shows you how to build it.
It measures approx...7'x 8'. he offered free plans so I signed up and he emailed them to me as a pdf.
but, just this week he sent me an email saying he is removing the plans soon because he will be offering them on amazon for purchase.

My first greenhouse was something similar, his are not the only plans on this on the web. I made a 6x8 raised bed shaped in a U. Used 1 cattle panel and 1 hog panel (narrower). I pounded Tposts in each corner and attached the cattle panels to that on one edge in order to anchor it deeply to the ground. The cattle panels are also attached to the raised bed like he shows. We have high winds as well. From what I have seen putting the rounded side toward the wind works better than putting a door or window towards the wind. The wind will roll over the hoop walls versus trying to pickup and carry off the umbrella created by the ends. 6mil plastic can last a season here but is pretty opaque by season end. I used greenhouse film that last 4-5 years.

Hi plantoid, Thanks, I will be using "legs" to support the bench. I have been modifying his plans to meet my needs. I am also planning on adding 4) 55-gallon drums filled with water to help with warming at night. I hope this will extend my season just a bit.

Hi Turan, I did find quite a few videos as well. I just liked this one the best for my situation. I don't have to worry too much about strong winds here. but I do have to worry about heavy snow fall. I liked the height and the curve of the top so the snow will hopefully just slide off, plus if we do get high winds the wind should just roll over it like you said. I too am using green house film. Have it ready and waiting.


Hi donnainzone10, I wish I could be there to help you out. I know what it is like to be physically limited. this is the reason why I am converting my garden area to SFG. I am plugging away at it a little at a time.

I am glad you found another GH to use for this year.