How to Build an Inexpensive Hoop-Style Greenhouse

One of the most valuable assets in my garden is my greenhouse. It has allowed me to grow plants that I normally would not be able to grow, produce crops that the season is not usually long enough to produce, and protect my plants from frosts, hail, or other severe weather that normally would have destroyed my garden. But I don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a greenhouse. I just priced out an 8’x12’ greenhouse for $3,500. I would love to have a large, professional greenhouse, but that simply isn’t financially feasible for me. So, instead I’ve found a way to make a large greenhouse that is functional, easy to build, and inexpensive. Required Materials List Note: All wood should be green, treated wood to resist rot. (4) 2×6 – 16’(2) 2×6 – 12’(14) 2×4 – 12’(19) ¾” x 20’white pvc pipe(9) 10mm x 10’ rebar(1) 20’x50’ roll of 6mm plastic(1) Bundle of 50 4’ wood lathe (or optional staples)Zip tiesNails or screwsMetal bandingDoor hinges and handles Step 1 – Laying Out the Frame

Succulent Delights - DIY Hot House Like to feed your entire family year round on fresh home grown produce? Read on.... No matter where you live, keeping a healthy warm environment is essential for germinating seeds and growing your plants. A small hot house can either be made yourself or purchased relatively cheaply but neither offers the size whilst being a cost effective solution for growing a substantial crop. Here are the plans, materials list and steps to make a 6 meter long x 3.8 meter wide x 2.5 meter high hot house for under $500.00. Planning: In this example at a friends house, their was an existing structure (old barrier fence), but you really don’t need it – actually it’s preferable you don’t as the original fence was not straight and caused the whole structure to be slightly out of balance. Construction: Step 1: Setting in the Rebar stakes Before you begin it’s a great idea to clear your work area. Measure out an area 6Mtr x 3.8mtr and mark each corner with a tent peg. Step 2: Door Frame Day 1: Day 14:

DIY Covered Greenhouse Garden: A Removable Cover Solution to Protect Your Plants — Apartment Therapy Tutorials Planting season is upon us, so let me tell you a little story of how this garden came to be. When we bought a house last year, I failed to inquire about the summer weather, thinking it would be just as warm and clear as it was on our open house day. NOPE. Instead, I encountered summers full of chilly fog and harsh winds, much to the dismay of my aspiring green thumb. (Image credit: Stephanie Strickland) Materials 2x6s in redwood (or 2x12s, which are significantly more expensive) cut to desired lengths 2x2s for cover frame (cut to match your 2x6 lengths) 2x4s for corner bracing Wood screws (coated for weather resistance) 10' 1/2" PVC pipe Pipe clamps Large weave wire mesh Chicken wire or other small weave mesh Zip Ties (for securing mesh to PVC) Plastic sheeting or garden cloth (at least 12' wide and twice the length of your garden) Staple gun + staples 2 Hinges 2 Eye hooks 6 ft chain cut into 3 ft lengths Tools Miter Saw Drill Staple gun So how did my garden do over the chilly summer?

How to Run a Commercial Aquaponics System (Video) EcoFilms Australia/Video screen capture Since we first posted on the urban food revolution known as aquaponics, we've seen all kinds of systems for growing fish and vegetables in one, symbiotic relationship. A few, like the proposed Urban Aquaculture Center and Friendly Aquaponics' farm in Hawaii, have been commercial-scale operations. Nevertheless, there are those who are working to commercialize the idea. Talking to Gina Cavaliero from Green Acres Organics, aquaponics expert Murray Hallam explores just what it takes to create a viable aquaponics business. I'd love to hear from anyone else who is practicing commercial-scale aquaculture too.

Central NY Aquaponic Farm, a Business and Testing Ground for Future of Agriculture October 18, 2011 | Deanna Krinn What began as a business plan drawn up for fun has spawned Aqua Vita Farms, central New York’s first aquaponic farm. Aqua Vita Farms was founded by Mark Doherty and seeks to provide wholesale food distributors with safe, high value, aquaponically grown seafood and produce. Retrofitting and construction on the company’s indoor farming facility, a 13,000 square foot building in Sherrill, N.Y. that was formerly a polishing facility for Oneida Silverware, kicked off in May of this year. The company, which currently raises bluegill fish, and grows lettuce, leafy greens and herbs in its custom-made aquaponic systems, had it first harvest shortly thereafter in August. Inspired by an article The idea for Aqua Vita Farms was inspired by an article that Doherty came across while reading the Wall Street Journal about a year and a half ago describing another aquaponic farm, Sweet Water Organics, he said. Looking for a solution to a growing problem Inside Aqua Vita Farms