Best Greenhouse Kit? (x posted)

[kacokaco]

Its our first year on the homestead and we are looking to get a greenhouse. We would love to DIY it but with DH working full time, our two year old, and a house remodel starting in February I just need to accept that I can't take on more. Especially since we've never built anything like that before.

Do does anyone have a small kit one that they recommend? I'm thinking one of the 6x8s or so.

Going to x-post in DIY too.

 

[Nardo]

Do does anyone have a small kit one that they recommend? I'm thinking one of the 6x8s or so.

You will get a million posts (maybe not that many) in answer, but we have had two different ones in the past - both from Harbor Freight Tools, although I have seen the same greenhouses for sale in other places. We first got the small one (6x8) and then got the larger one (10x12).
They are not perfect, but OK especially if you find one on sale. And it helps that you live where it's warmer; I'm fairly certain they may not work well in the far northern states. They are complex to assemble and you MUST anchor them down or they act like a big wind sail. It is a product from "One Stop Gardens" https://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-x-12-ft-greenhouse-with-4-vents-93358.html

This time around I built my own, but it is time consuming. You can see it if you look at my coop. I believe that for what you spend buying a kit or greenhouse, that one can be built that will far outperform it. But, I know we live in the real world and sometimes time is a resource we just don't have. Good luck!

 

[kacokaco]

Ah what you built is so beautiful! We definitely don't have the time or skill right now but long term we want to build something permanent. After the remodel...and when the kid is in school...

We are zone 7 and I know others here have unheated greenhouses, but we get strong storms so what you said gives me a little pause. Just started to look at cattle panel greenhouses and those look quick and cheap...

Thank you!

 

[Nardo]

Ah what you built is so beautiful! We definitely don't have the time or skill right now but long term we want to build something permanent. After the remodel...and when the kid is in school...

We are zone 7 and I know others here have unheated greenhouses, but we get strong storms so what you said gives me a little pause. Just started to look at cattle panel greenhouses and those look quick and cheap...

Thank you!

Well, thanks for the compliment on mine. I think y'all will have to balance price and performance and ease, and I really believe that, given time, you could come up with one. But the ones I linked to lasted for years. Actually, we gave the smaller one to her Momma when we upgraded to the larger model and the larger one went with the last house when we sold it. I know they are both still in use.

 

[lazy gardener]

A cattle panel hoop green house can be built quickly, and it will outlive and outperform any green house kit that you can purchase. It really won't take that much longer to build a permanent CP green house than it would to put a kit together.

In the mean time, if you are finding yourself in a time crunch, I suggest that you build a hay bale cold frame. You can put it together in a couple of hours, plant it, and be done. Simply lay out your hay bales in a line along the north side of your garden. Place a bale lengthwise to make up the east and west walls of the frame, leaving the south end open. Lay some 2 x 4's across the top, and a shower door glass panel, a couple storm window panes, or a patio door glass panel across the top, close in the south wall with plastic, and you are in business. Such a frame will take about 6 bales of hay.