I want to get some more citrus in the ground this spring and I have been looking for some cost effective greenhouse / cold frame options to grow in ground citrus. With a structure I want to have the option of raising it to accommodate additional height down the road. I was looking at this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202065765?productId=202065765&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC%2d%5f%2dproduct%2d1%2d%5f%2dgreenhouse%3b202065766%2d%5f%2d202065765%2d%5f%2dN

Though the cover doesn't appear at all clear or as translucent as I would have thought, the price is right to even buy two of them. It appears that once the original cover packs it in, I could replace it with greenhouse plastic.

Any thoughts or other suggestions? In an ideal world I would like to spend 5 or 6 thousand $$$ and put in a professional setup.

Greg

I tried something similar several years ago. They blow over easily in the wind, and even when anchored down well the frame can get deformed. They provide no protection against frost unless you provide some proper heating. I wouldn't recommend these unless you live in area that gets nothing above a gentle breeze and rarely any frost.

Call Atlas, price a small high tunnel cold frame. They can be heated and are very strong. Don't look at hobby houses.

I like my Harbor Freight 10x12 greenhouse, although I did install some significant reinforcements to the structure. It has performed very well for me here in Houston, but I don't know how it would handle colder areas. Mine has taken wind without losing a panel. I ran power and water to it, and hooked up an automatic drip irrigation system. Its really pretty nice. You can see pictures of the greenhouse construction here:

http://thebellhouse.weebly.com/1/post/2012/05/building-a-greenhouse.html

Thanks for the advise.... Clayton, I had looked at the harbor freight unit you bought. I am unsure of the overall height from the ground to the peak of the roof. could you confirm for me? (the woman it the Harbor Freight photost looks like she is about 4'10" )Are the panels made out of a corrugated material?

BTW, I spent a short time in the Houston / Galveston area a month ago - prior to going on a cruise - it is definitely a place which I would like to revisit. I liked all the variety of palms.... here in Vancouver we can only grow a few varieties outside.

Hershell, I will have a look at the atlas products.

Thanks for everyone's advise! It is much appreciated.

Greg

depends how "handy" you are.

I built a greenhouse a little bigger than that for maybe $50.

I bought used windows at a Habitat for Humanity "restore" for extremely cheap, and used recycled lumber given to me.


Most of the money actually went to hooking up electricity / outdoor GFI outlet.

My greenhouse cost well under $1000 and its 16' x 8' x 11' tall. Works great for my citrus collection as well as growing about 30 tomato, 20 chili, 10 bell peppers & English cucumber plants & an assortment of fruit trees & bushes like a Fuyu persimmon, Bay leaf bush, Tea plant, Pink Lemonade blueberry bush. Its wooden framed and currently still only covered in 6mm greenhouse plastic but will hopefully have its double pane recycled glass windows installed and polycarbonate roof installed too.

This past year, I have a in-ground Meyer's Improved Lemon, a varigated Eureka lemon, a small Meyer's, small Bears Lime, 3 small Kishu Mandarin, 2 med. sized Calamansi, med. Weeping Washington Navel and a small Cara cara orange tree inside there. Most of the smaller trees are indoors right now due to lack of time to increase the insulation-factor of my greenhouse. (Next week's project)

For our area, I highly recommend a greenhouse if you want to grow more citrus. I plan to plant in-ground most of my collection over the next couple of years as they get bigger and stronger.

I also raise rabbits (2 living in their cage in the greenhouse) which provide me with all the organic fertilizer I need.

Anthony

I agree with the others about building one yourself.

Mine is a 10x12 hoophouse 8 foot center height. I used 1" pvc for the hoops, wood framed base and walls plus wood sided the ends, covered with UV Greenhouse plastic. Just the structure itself was only about $200 USD. After all complete with exhaust fan, heater, gravel floor, extra little bits here and there, it ended up around $500.

Ill be building another at my new place but it will be a lean to on the southside of the barn. Much longer and a bit taller as I want to put a few trees in the ground permanently

mike

I know PVC appeals to many people but bending chain link top rail tubing is so easy and much stronger. You can make a bender from a piece of plywood and 2x4" lumber that will easily bend the stuff. Check the prices on top rails and I bet their is not that much difference from PVC. If you decide to build a bender I can give you the radius for 10-12' and 18-20 foot wide tubing bender. If you want to buy a metal tubing bender they are not expensive.
Karl
link

That looks like a redneck pipe bender - for sure! I like it ! Too bad I don't have a tractor !

I was thinking an automotive exhaust pipe bender may work too....


Greg

Karl,please put up a couple pictures of your greenhouse. Especially showing the door and perhaps a picture of the inside. The old link of your greenhouse does not seem to work any more. Thanks. - Millet

Almost finished

4"x4" post installed and wrapped due to rain. The old goose is my project inspector.

Starting to put things inside for the winter

January tomatoes