Time to strip the greenhouse
So yesterday, I finally felt energized and tackled the task of removing the old plastic covering from our greenhouse and replacing it with new UV-protected plastic. The old plastic had served us well for three years, but by the end of the second year, its durability was in question as the relentless sun had turned it brittle and caused it to crack. We efficiently applied new plastic with tuck tape over the compromised areas, confidently extending its lifespan by another season. I initially overlooked the deteriorating plastic, but rather than panic, I trusted it would hold through the winter, and it did, safeguarding our plants.
After I had removed the top, I decided to keep the sides and the door plastic in place since it was still in great shape, and I didn’t want to waste such perfectly fine material. I also noticed a slight tilt with the PVC pipe, but I’m positive it’s nothing major. It’s well-attached to the garden walls and has sturdy horizontal bracing on both sides and the roof.
It’s incredible how mistakes become lessons that spark better plans. When I first built the greenhouse, I covered it entirely in two separate layers of plastic, which resulted in air gaps and caused the layers to stick together, eliminating the crucial air barrier. This time, I placed the entire sheet on the ground, measured precisely what I needed, and folded it in half, ensuring I only had one side to seal.
After I got the top of the greenhouse replaced I hooked up the inflater fan which is essential if you plan on building your own DIY Greenhouse. This helps keep the two layers of plastic separated by a cushion of air adding more insulation and increasing the sun’s strength heating the inside for free. This fan has been running for 3 years now and is still working strong! So, yeah, I highly recommend this one and you can get the Greenhouse Blower Fan on Amazon here.
Now that I have a secure and tight seal between the two layers of UV-protected plastic, the inflator fan is performing more efficiently than ever. To manage the excessive inflation, I plan to cut some slits into the plastic on the inside of the greenhouse near the bottom, allowing for controlled air escape. This adjustment will not only balance the pressure between the plastic layers but also enhance air circulation along the bottom of the garden, helping to distribute warmer air across the top of the soil. Maintaining proper air circulation inside a greenhouse is crucial for optimal growth and to prevent fungal growth.
The inflation is so effective that the crank and bar on the side are practically floating! I will secure a long board across the front to prevent excessive inflation. The red square on the right is the inflator fan connected to the inner membrane. It would be great if they made clear tuck tape, as the red tape stands out and looks unsightly. However, I am pleased with the new UV-protected plastic covering and its excellent inflation performance. The previous covering did not inflate well and caused significant heat loss. But this season is different, and I expect this solution to last for at least three more years.
So what do you think?
How do you like our little greenhouse? It might look like it belongs in a dollhouse from the pictures, but trust me, at 10′ X 10″ it’s surprisingly spacious—well, for two people and our not-so-royal backyard. Believe me, if we had more land, I’d have a whole army of these little hoop houses—and way bigger too! There’s a jungle of possibilities waiting with more room, but that’s a tall tale and an even taller dream we’re still plotting.
Hoop houses are incredibly affordable, especially if you live near a nursery. While the garden bed cost a bit more due to the price of pressure-treated wood and about 6 cubic meters of clean soil, the hoop house itself was quite inexpensive. We only had to pay for the PVC pipe, nuts, and bolts; the plastic was free. Nurseries typically discard the plastic from their greenhouses annually, and we were fortunate enough to obtain a few rolls they were throwing out. Now, we have enough plastic to recover the hoop house at least four more times.
Today, I am putting the Chinese diesel heater back in because the nights are starting to get pretty cool again. Won’t be long till the temperatures drop below 5°C and I’ll need that heater to keep the tomatoes and peppers happy. I might post about that tomorrow so be sure to stop by here again.
One Last Thing…
And there you have it, folks! Our greenhouse is now more fortified than a medieval castle and inflated just enough to float away to Oz. If you see a tiny greenhouse flying past your window, send it back our way, would ya?
Whether you’re green-thumbed or just green with envy, we hope you enjoyed this little adventure in greenhouse upgrading.
Your Turn!
Tell us what you think in the comments below! Do you have any hoop house tips or tricks up your sleeve? Or maybe you have some burning questions about our greenhouse escapades? Share your thoughts—your feedback is the organic fertilizer to our blogging garden! 🌿💬
