New Greenhouse

(@wxman)

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I'm in the process of building a new greenhouse that's 8'x10'. I went with 8' because that is the maximum width I have to work with and I went with 10' because 12' wide x 100' long poly is what I have to work with... that gives me a little on each side to seam over.
I've put down a 2x6 base and a 3/4" PVC frame. I'm framing the end walls in with lumber and running a 4x6 beam down the ridge which will keep the PVC from collapsing. End walls will be poly or plywood -- haven't decided yet. Poly will be stretched over the "A" frame and fastened to the 2x6 base. Floor is going to be pea gravel.

Here is a picture of my progress thus far:

Now for the hard part ... I want to heat with a wood stove because I have unlimited access to wood. I'm not paying $200-$400 a month for propane to heat this thing. I'm interested in using a Vogelzang cast iron wood stove. The problem is -- they are 32" long by 21" wide. Add in the clearances and I think most of my greenhouse would be unusable either due to the wood stove being in the way or the air would be too hot near the wood stove for plants.

Is there anyway I can install this outside the greenhouse and use the heat inside? Something simple? Someone has had to have this idea before.

I could add another "room" on in front of the greenhouse to put this thing in, but I'm trying to keep costs down as much as possible. More room = more lumber = more pea gravel, etc.

I thought of putting it outside and running the flue pipe through the greenhouse as sort of a radiant heater -- but I think that will be wasting a lot of heat?

Thanks for the suggestions.

Posted : 13/08/2012 9:50 pm

canadianplant

(@canadianplant)

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Can ou get the stove to do double duty? Mayve build a smoking shed behind the greenhouse to get multi usage out of it? At elast the extra money is worth it.

You could jsut get a single panel solar kit. They sell em here for 200 bucks, but not 100% on the power it produces

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 13/08/2012 11:40 pm

lucky1

(@lucky1)

Posts: 11322

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Tim,
Good work on the GH construction.

We have an airtight wood stove in the basement, so I know a bit.

I think if you install woodstove outside the GH, you're wasting a lot of the radiant heat, but you could run waterlines from the stove to the GH, i.e. hot water heat which would help with humidity. Woodstoves are such dry heat otherwise.
You'd still have to use flashing around the wood/metal entry point.

Could you install it indoors WITH A THERMOSTAT to regulate how hot it gets?
A ridge vent would be handy too.

Where's GH-builder Bill when we need him?

Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 14/08/2012 2:49 pm

wxman

(@wxman)

Posts: 574

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New pics ... took this quick this morning with my phone. I enlarged the footprint of the greenhouse to 8x12 from 8x10. I'm building a concrete room behind the greenhouse where I will install a Vogelzang barrel wood stove. I have endless free wood from work and plan on using that to keep the greenhouse no lower than 60F all winter. Here is the progress so far.... the concrete room has another 5 courses to go.

Posted : 22/08/2012 1:07 pm

canadianplant

(@canadianplant)

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You going to use a pipe in the floor to keep it warm, or use the sand to hold the radiant heat?

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 22/08/2012 1:09 pm

lucky1

(@lucky1)

Posts: 11322

Illustrious Member

Hey good idea wxman.

It's still not a big enough GH for your 700 seedlings 😆 😆

Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 22/08/2012 4:00 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

(@cameron_z6a_n-s)

Posts: 1270

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Great work so far, wxman! Are you planning on having it finished before this winter?

Posted : 22/08/2012 6:39 pm

KrisK

(@krisk)

Posts: 187

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Looks good I bet that stove will run you out! I'm also building one, but mines more of a hoophouse like your other one. I'm gonna use water barrels this winter and see how low it goes. Some of the big greenhouses here don't heat all winter, and have potted cold hardy palms/ tropicals survive. I know that sounds crazy, but it's true, I've seen it. We"ll see how mine does sans heat.

Are you gonna use double poly and a blower to inflate or single layer?

Posted : 23/08/2012 11:07 pm

TerdalFarm

(@terdalfarm)

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Kris, be sure to let us know how yours is coming along.

Posted : 24/08/2012 2:27 pm

wxman

(@wxman)

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I'm working my way up building the block wall. I'll be glad when its over -- I hate masonry. I plan on using a fan to direct the heat through the rest of the greenhouse. Floor will just be gravel with no extra insulation. I'm thinking about bumping it out another 6 feet or so yet for a total size of 18x8, but I don't know if the wood stove would be able to keep up with a greenhouse that big. Stumped at what to do ...

Posted : 24/08/2012 7:52 pm

andym

(@andym)

Posts: 416

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Have you thought of insulating your Greenhouse with bubblewrap. I use it on my small greenhouse and as it gets very little winter sun and is essential in keeping artificial heat in. It also cuts down on condensation as well

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Posted : 27/08/2012 5:03 pm

wxman

(@wxman)

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Enlarged the greenhouse another 8 feet. It's now 18x8. Up to 7 courses of block on the wood stove room. 2 more to go. Progress is being made, albeit slowly.

Posted : 30/08/2012 9:10 pm

wxman

(@wxman)

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Another update. Framing is done. Metal roof over the wood stove room is done. Wood stove is made and installed. All the gravel is laid. Next up is siding, plastic installation and the front door! 🙂 🙂