Greenhouse - Helpful Hints in Setting up a Wood-Framed Greenhouse

As I was waltzing through Costco yesterday I discovered an affordable greenhouse that would be the perfect size for me. Approx 6"6"" x 7'6" and under $1500. Wood frame with 8 foot peak, greenhouse acrylic plastic sides and roof plus a roof vent. 
    I have lusted for a greenhouse for 30 years or so but kids, college, divorce all interfered with the dream. MY house has an HOA that prohibits a shed larger than 120 sq ft. I have a 96 sq ft shed and this would tuck neatly behind it. The property behind me is parkland so there shouldn't be any complaints about nestling the greenhouse behind the shed. 
    Could I get get by with a 12x12 cement squares for a foundation? I figured the floor would be sand  for minimal maintenance. Does anyone have experience they would like to share before I make the plunge? Is there a good reference book out there somewhere to minimize my mistakes?  
    I looked on Costco for a link to post but this particular greenhouse is not online at this time. It was very sturdy as I walked inside and shook the walls and door with minimal effect. Any suggestions are welcome:)

Thanks

Ron

sunflowersarefun wrote:Could I get get by with a 12x12 cement squares for a foundation? I figured the floor would be sand  for minimal maintenance. Does anyone have experience they would like to share before I make the plunge? Is there a good reference book out there somewhere to minimize my mistakes?

Yes, those squares would work for the base, but your main consideration in this area are the high winds.  It is essential that the greenhouse is anchored down to prevent the wind from moving it in the most unpredictable manner. You will want to closely inspect it before purchase to ensure those acrylic panels will survive 50 or 60 mph winds -- I have a number of neighbors that bought inexpensive greenhouses from places like Harbor Freight, and the winds constantly blew panels out of them.

Thanks for that information. I hope to put it on the south side of my shed but since the wind usually comes out of the west that won’t be much of a wind break. I am going to Costco today and will inspect the panels and read any info they have about wind etc. 
   Anchoring might present some challenges but looking forward to thinking about the options available. In my experience , you get what you pay for at Harbor Freight. Tarps have been my most successful product from there. They are cheap but durable. I still like to wander the aisles and see new stuff tho

Here are some pictures of the greenhouse

Those are double-wall polycarbonate panels, not acrylic plastic as you thought.  That is a good thing. The double-wall polycarbonate is very durable and strong - I think they have like a 10-year manufacturers warranty. It looks solid the way they slid the panels into groves wood beams.  Still needs to be anchored down, though.

Probably this greenhouse: https://yardistrystructures.com/cedar-poly-greenhouse/

That is it exactly. Thanks for the link. Now to do some smooth talking persuading

I am interested, too.  Not sure where I would put the thing….

OhioGardener wrote:Probably this greenhouse: https://yardistrystructures.com/cedar-poly-greenhouse/

I think I'm in love.

sunflowersarefun wrote:That is it exactly. Thanks for the link. Now to do some smooth talking persuading

I bought mine as a birthday gift for myself. 

My weather station today showed 59 mph winds during the storms. If I didn't have the greenhouse anchored down, I probably wouldn't have it.

OhioGardener wrote:. . . My weather station today showed 59 mph winds during the storms. If I didn't have the greenhouse anchored down, I probably wouldn't have it.

I like the idea of a birthday gift to myself. Now to battle the HOA.  My yard backs up to a local park so I could “ hide “ it behind my shed without a problem. We shall see:lol!: