DIY Network

Greenhouse: Preparing the Ground and Beginning the Assembly From "Weekend Handyman" episode WKH-203

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In this episode of Weekend Handyman, host Paul Ryan builds a greenhouse from a kit. To have a successful greenhouse, it's vital that you choose the best location possible. Ryan chose this spot because of all the trees on and surrounding the property, this will get the best exposure to sunlight. Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Now that the floor is down, it's time to start building the greenhouse in the next segment.

Time: 16 hours over 2-1/2 days.

Difficulty Rating: This project rates a 2 on the Weekend Handyman scale.


Materials:

Greenhouse kit
Class-5 aggregate
Sand
Timbers
Pavers
Phillips-head screwdriver
10mm wrench
10mm nut driver
Metric tape measure
Hammer
Skill saw
Drill and bits
Steel rake
Shovel
Tamper
Ladder
Long level
Paver splitter

Prep Work for Greenhouse -- Day One

Note: To get a jump on the weekend, you need to build the base of the greenhouse in advance, and it will take approximately four hours.

Tip: The door of your greenhouse needs to face East or West so you can get southern exposure on the long side of the greenhouse. Ideally, you need a little shade in the summer and at least six hours of sunlight during the months when the sun is lower in the sky.

1. Determine the size and location of the greenhouse and then order the kit. The only supplies that do not come with the kit are the materials for the base and floor -- including class-5 aggregate, sand, timbers and the pavers for the floor.

2. Gather all the tools and materials and sort the kit.

3. To prepare the base, dig a trench the same size as the perimeter of the greenhouse 6" deep. The timbers will go here and you need to make sure that you shovel to a level surface (figure A).

4. Fill in the trench with class-5 crushed limestone and tamp it down.

5. Cut the timbers to length and put them on top of the aggregate, working them in and leveling them as you go.

   Note: The timbers used on the show were 4 x 6 reinforced plastic lumber. They are made from 100 percent recycled plastic -- but they are durable and look great (figure B).

6. Pre-drill holes in the ends of the timbers and nail them together with 12" spikes. Square the timbers -- measuring corner to corner -- and then anchor them in with rebar after you pre-drill your hole.

   Note: Since the greenhouse is made of aluminum and polycarbonate, it'll be lightweight, but strong. That's why it's important to have a strong foundation.

7. For the floor, you need to remove the grass inside of the timbers (figure C), leveling the ground as you go. Before you get ready to for the next step of laying the pavers, be sure to screed the surface of the floor. This will be a two-person job.

8. Lay the paver blocks flush with the top of the base (figure D) of the greenhouse.

9. Cut the end pavers to size using a splitter -- on the last row, you may need to cut all the pavers to finish off your floor.

   Note: A paver splitter can be rented for approximately $25 for a few hours, or you can use a grinder as well. Pavers look good and provide a flat surface and good drainage. You could use pea gravel, bricks or cement stepping stones with pea gravel in-between.

10. To finish, dump some sand over the floor and sweep it into the cracks (figure E).

RESOURCES :
Holland Paving Stones (Anchor)
Brand Name: Anchor

Anchor
North St. Paul, MN 55109

Premium 8.3 Greenhouse (Juliana)
Brand Name: Juliana
Model Number: 10 mm
Color: Green

Misc. Product Info:

• Available with aluminum finish or durable powder coated green finish.
  
• Extra thick polycarbonate provides additional protection from the cooler temperatures and elements.
  
• Features like one of the strongest frames available, extra overall heights, thicker 6mm (1/4") polycarbonate covering, heavy-duty hinged door, and rainwater down pipes makes these greenhouse stand out from the rest.

Juliana America
Eagan, MN 55121
Phone: 651-289-3312
Fax: 651-289-3315
Website: www.julianaamerica.com

Greenhouse Accessories (Juliana)
Juliana Univent automatic opener, Model #JU123
Schaefer exhaust fan -- motorized, Model #SF1200
Juliana 3 section table, aluminum potting bench, Model #JUA4556
Juliana Plant Rings (20 per pack), Gray, Model #JUA4711
Juliana Plant Spiral -- 3 pack, Black, Model #JUA4901
Juliana Vanlet Watering System, Black, Model #JUA4201

Juliana America
Eagan, MN 55121
Phone: 651-289-3312
Fax: 651-289-3315
Website: www.julianaamerica.com

Plastic Lumber (Bedford Technology Lumber)
Model Number: 4"x6"x10' reinforced plastic lumber
Color: Forest Green

Bedford Technology Lumber
Worthington, MN 56187
Fax: 507-372-5726

Ortho's All About Greenhouses
ISBN: 0897214633
Author: Ortho Books Editor
Order this title from Amazon.
Meredith Books Corp.
Website: www.meredith.com

GUESTS :
Keri Lahl
Sales Representative, Gardenstyles
Excelsior, MN
Phone: 952-401-1682

John Evans
Marketing Manager, Holland Paving Stones
North St. Paul, MN
Phone: 651-777-8321

Gene Tubbs
Operations, Juliana America
Website: www.julianaamerica.com