27. Recycled Greenhouse
Resuscitate a derelict Eden greenhouse.
When I first set foot on the property, I was not yet a garden enthusiast.
When I saw a rundown, dirty greenhouse, I wanted it gone. I even offered to give it away, but had no takers. One year later, I realized how amazing it is to garden, and how it would be so nice to have a greenhouse.
I thought about buying new one. A new, nice metal and glass greenhouse can cost $10K (or more) while a simple 6x8 greenhouse with polycarbonate walls is in the $750 range.
All of a sudden that dirty, little greenhouse started to seem a lot more appealing.
Just two problems
#1 The existing greenhouse was in horrible shape. How do I refurbish a 40 year old greenhouse?
#2 The existing greenhouse was not where I wanted it in the yard. Can I move a greenhouse?
Greenhouse Plan
Greenhouse Parts
Reuse List
Here is the list of items that I fixed, re-purposed, or used:
6x8 Eden Greenhouse Frame
Eden Greenhouse Glass Panels
Old Brick
Metal Primer = Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based Primer
Metal Paint = We just used exterior grade Paint Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Paint in Graphite color
Paint = Benjamin Moore Aura Matte Exterior Paint in Graphite (this is our house paint)
Brushes
Shopping List #1
While I reused as many items as I could — I even considered reusing the pressure treated lumber from our deck demolition project, but couldn’t since the pieces were too short — here is what I bought from Lowe’s including pre-tax cost:
Pressure Treated Wood Frame = Severe Weather 4”x6” x 8ft #2 Ground Contact PT Lumber $120.72 (plus $79 delivery)
Lag Screws = 8x Deck Plus 1/2” x 6” Black Epoxy Hex-Head Lag Screws $29.68
Washers = 8x Deck Plus Ceramic Standard Flat Washer 1/2” $3.92
Weed Barrier =1x Sta-Green 100ft x 3ft Premium Gardening Fabric $25.48
Wood Preservative (for cut ends) = Copper Green Brown Wood Preservative $28.98
Paint Brush = Project Source 4” natural bristle flat brush $4.48
Gravel
5/8 minus aggregate 4” deep for 8x6 area plus 12” on sides = 27 cubic feet
27 cubic feet = 1 CY * $43/CY = $43
Total for the foundation was about $340 plus many, many man hours of labor
Shopping List #2
The first shopping list was just for the foundation. For the greenhouse itself, I needed the following:
12 Pack Polycarbonate Greenhouse Panels Polycarbonate Sheets (4' x 2' x 0.32'') - $155.99
25pcs Greenhouse Clips Z Overlap Clips = $3.39 x 2 packets = $6.78
25pcs Greenhouse Clips W Glazing Clips = $3.39 x 5 packets = $16.95
Total for greenhouse accessories was about $180.
Grand total out of pocket was $520. Total savings compared to just the off-the-shelf polycarbonate greenhouse was $570.
Was it worth it to re-use?
Maybe not, but I did get the feel good benefit (and savings) of not having to throw out the existing greenhouse and was able to clean up the eye sore of the existing greenhouse location
Construction Timelapse
Here are photos documenting the greenhouse timelapse.
The frame
How I prepared the frame:
First I cleaned the existing frame and removed all of the glass panels.
Then I primed the frame.
Then I applied my first coat of finish paint (the second coat happed at the new site).
The foundation
How I built the foundation:
Set and leveled six concrete posts
Filled the area with large gravel, masonry and concrete debris from around the site, and then topped it with sand
Covered the area with weed fabric and some gravel to hold the paper in place
Laid down a pressure treated wood foundation, held together at the corners with lag bolts
The reconstruction
How I reconstructed the greenhouse:
Carried the frame into place
Washed the existing glass panels and set them into the walls
Installed polycarbonate panels in the roof and in the door (there was not enough glass in tact from the existing greenhouse to cover the entire greennhouse)
Touch up paint on the exterior walls
The move
Unlike the shed , moving the greenhouse was relatively easy. Without the glass in place, the metal frame was light enough to carry with two people. Between the garden shed and the greenhouse, we now have two bookends for our orchard.
My next step is to furnish the greenhouse!