you probably know this but there is a greenhouse forum on gardenweb that discusses in depth the Harbor Freight greenhouses. I personally think those are very good greenhouses for the money but you will have to do a few things to properly secure and shore up the greenhouse (for not alot of money). Most people seem to be pretty happy with their Harbor Freight greenhouses. If you sign up to receive emails on the Harbor Freight website they will send you a 20% discount coupon too. Its all about saving money.

One thing about greenhouses. They fill up amazingly fast. I have a 1,000 sq ft greenhouse and it was full in the first year! You lose a certain amount of floor space with having to gain access and moving around inside it. I have a 4' wide access/walkway that runs the length of the greenhouse down the center. That's 200 sq ft lost right away and spacing inbetween plants etc to gain access for watering, and so I figure an other 15% loss there.
So the end result is 35% floor space lost (a little over 1/3) even if you maximize like I have done.
As well, many districts have by-laws that require a site inspection and restrictions on size/height etc. It just takes one nosey neighbor or passer-by to file a complaint (you'd be surprized how many are out there).
I don't wan't to discourage you, but just point out a few issues so you're not taken by surprize.

Cheers, Barrie.

I would buy a harbor freight greenhouse if I lived in the US. Since you are thinking of purchasing an inexpensive one that will hopefully last several years I would recommend a 10' X 12' for the added space if you don't mind paying the extra heating costs. A 8' X 6' can get full very quickly especially if you like growing bananas. 🙂 .

Hello well here is something to think about. I got a square one made with green plastic and steel tube 1 1/2 inch that i odered from online. The reason I chose this was because I planted my palms in the ground and I know there going to grow taller over time. And instead of buy new green house to fit over them you can add extra pipe at the base wich will make the green house taller like making the legs longer, and you can keep doing this damn near forever lol mine is 8 ft in the center atthe peak but if I ad a 3ft extension to all the legs it will be 11 feet at the center.The one thing you will need to do once you make the legs longer is just order a new plastic cover thats longer to take up the space you make from make it taller. You call and tell em what size you need and they will send it for about 100 - 150 dollars each new cover.

Barrie is right about zoning restrictions. I live in a neighborhood with a Homes Associateion and free standing structures of any kind are not allowed in yards, i.e storage sheds, greenhouses, etc. You have to get board approval to put up a swing set or basketball goal (you have to submit plans and a picture). Is this a great country or what? Do you homework first and then decide what you can or can't do and then plan from there. Best of luck.

I forgot that there are places like that. Well hopefully you can get something you want. Im glad I dont live in your part of this country lol. If someone told me I couldnt do something I wanted on my own property I would go nuts. Its like that in most of our suburbs, but thats why I dont live there.

Kansas,

Ever given thought to a greenhouse for your seedlings and small specimens (6 by 10) and then a winter hoop-house?

If its a seasonal structure (not permanent), usually you can get around the by-law crap, if one exists..

I want to build a seasonal structure attached to my kitchen using a material called Palruf (Home Depot)..The panels will be re-moveable so only the roof will be covered year round. In winter I'll cover off the sides etc and heat it...16 by 16...

Same prob as you Kansas..lots of stuff and basement is drying up everything like crazy...

My garage is now doing the trick...as is the outside porch....

Your right..better the cool temps than the basement..

Palmettoman z6=Ajax, On

Got a new plan, but wait, this might change in the next hour 😆
I have an insulated shed, bout 8' deep by 6' tall and 6' wide. Right now I have my hand tools, BBQ stuff, lawn mower and weed eater and other stuff in. The shed is actually well insulated. I remeber when it was VERY cold out, I had to run out to get a screwdriver and the shed was warm inside.
I think I will move the hand tools into the basement where the trees are. Move the mower & WE and BBQ stuff into my garage.
Then move the trees into the shed. I will have 4 grow lights going & a space heater on REALLY cold nights. THat way it will still be humid and moist, and during nicer days (50'), I can prop the door open and they can get actual sun rays.
Sound good???

Now that sounds like a plan!

Thats called innovation Kansas....

As long as you can keep those temps above 20F-28F on the coldest of days and nites...you should be fine...

Blankets along the walls will help and a heat lamp or a few spot grows will do the trick...

Here's my garage greenhouse...Year 4...all the plants have survived down to about 17F--6C-8C-2 nites last yr. lowest temps...This yr.nothing below 40F....yet...? Thanks to El Nino...I regulate the heat and spray mist like crazy...

Let us know how things go...

Palmettoman z6-Ajax
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2097718612

Yes, that is EXACTLY what I wanted to do in my garage, but the wife said no. So I am thinking the shed is the next best.

Kansas,

My wife has absolutely no choice here..the garage and basement are my space....

Besides..since I overwintered her annuals, rosemary, eucalyptus and thyme its reason enough to just let it be dude...

She still cuses me though when tryin to park her car..

Palmettoman z6-Ajax, On

Palmetto, do you want to sell one of your Trachys? I need one about the size of the one in the 2nd photo.

Kansas,

That palm is from South Carolina...A $10 (no kidding), roadside special bought from along Hwy 17 just south of Myrtle Beach...

If you want it...it's yours...!

The problem is because I reside in the Peoples Republic of Canada shipping and all the paperwork may be a a lot of red tape etc...with US Customs....

If I lived stateside like you I would simply drive to the low-country of S/Carolina...Leave on a Wednesday and be back by Sunday. Your probably about a day and a half away and load up on the trachy's, sable's, sago's, euro's and washy's and bring em back home.

There are plenty of nurseries that specialize in these palms all over the coastal route...In fact, when I'm there I'm kinda like a kid in the candy store....

The trachy's @ the nurseries are usually $30 and up for the same size...

Here there about $100 if you can find one?

This summer I picked up 2 trachy's for $10 each from a plant truck sale along the coastal 17 Hwy..The palms come up from Florida I think...

Every visit I make to S/Carolina, I bring back 1 or 2 specimens.

Have a GR8 Christmas Kansas...

Palmettoman z6-Ajax, On