9 Comments
author
Apr 25, 2023·edited Apr 25, 2023Pinned

POLL RESULTS:

40% say the greenhouse is still standing

60% say it's still standing but falling apart.

No one thought it blew away like Dorothy's house, which was the correct answer.

Expand full comment
Apr 22, 2023·edited Apr 22, 2023Liked by Lisa Brunette

Well that definitely stinks. I have the smaller version that's half the size. I originally paid $20 for it used at a flea market and got approximately two years out of it before the plastic cover started to deteriorate and the metal poles on the bottom rusted in two. It worked really well in the protected northeast corner of my house where we built an addition.

I went on a search for something to replace the metal poles and just couldn't find anything the right diameter until we stopped at a yard sale and found six lenths of 1/2" metal conduit for $5. The fit was still a little too loose so I wrapped a piece of duct tape around the end of each piece so it fit snuggly in the connectors. I ended up replacing the entire bottom section and adding a few shelves in the back. Next I ordered greenhouse plastic and snap clamps to hold it on and then a stick on zipper to mimic the original opening. I moved it into the garden and weighted the bottom section down with concrete blocks but it still was no match for the wind. Eventually moved it inside of a 4' x 6' dog kennel, anchored it with rebar stakes and have a bungee strap running from one side of the kennel to another securing it. It has withstood winds in excess of 50 mph. I left it out all year and the adhesive on the zipper gave out so I bought some expensive adhesive tape which lasted another year.

So I have around $100 invested in it when I could have bought a replacement for less. Mine however is much sturdier and I'm on year six of using it so I guess that's not too bad. We hope to get our bigger greenhouse built this year and it will reside inside of it in hopes of providing extra protection for tender seedlings.

Expand full comment
author

That’s some serious MacGyver technique there, Joy! I admire your thriftiness and clever fixes.

Expand full comment

Don't beat yourself up. I paid $300 once for a state of the art, polyethylene modular cold frame with built-in stakes that extended into the ground to hold it in place. It blew out of the ground during a storm and was never the same.

Expand full comment
author

Aw... that sucks!

Expand full comment

Lesson learned and I eventually gave it away and made someone with more patience very happy.

Expand full comment
author

Do you use other types of cold frames?

Expand full comment

No, I gave up. I'm holding out for a real greenhouse.

Expand full comment
author

Keep the dream alive, Lynn!

Expand full comment