Winter Greenhouses (56 Photos): How To Make Do-it-yourself Structures With Heating, Options For Growing Vegetables All Year Round, Year-round Greenhouses

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Winter Greenhouses (56 Photos): How To Make Do-it-yourself Structures With Heating, Options For Growing Vegetables All Year Round, Year-round Greenhouses
Winter Greenhouses (56 Photos): How To Make Do-it-yourself Structures With Heating, Options For Growing Vegetables All Year Round, Year-round Greenhouses

Video: Winter Greenhouses (56 Photos): How To Make Do-it-yourself Structures With Heating, Options For Growing Vegetables All Year Round, Year-round Greenhouses

Video: Winter Greenhouses (56 Photos): How To Make Do-it-yourself Structures With Heating, Options For Growing Vegetables All Year Round, Year-round Greenhouses
Video: DIY - How I built the Plus4Zones greenhouse, the Sun Terrace and other unheated greenhouses 2024, March
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Probably, every gardener who has an ordinary greenhouse at his disposal would like such a structure to be able to provide him with a crop not only in the warm season, but also in the frosty period. Fortunately, today there are many ways to implement this ambitious idea.

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Features of the

Naturally, a winter greenhouse will have many aspects that distinguish it from a normal one. Here, alas, it will not be possible to do with one set of wooden beams and PVC film. Much more capital decisions will be required.

The main differences between the device of a winter greenhouse and a simple one

  1. Foundation. The features of the foundation being built depend on the type of greenhouse, but one thing is invariable - it will be impossible to do without a solid foundation.
  2. Walls. Here everything is natural - with a decrease in the operating temperature of the greenhouse, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the walls.
  3. Heating. To a greater or lesser extent, but the structure must be heated. There is good news for those who are interested in economical use of resources spent on heating. There are types of greenhouses that will minimize the cost of maintaining an optimal indoor temperature.
  4. Lighting. It's no secret that the days are shorter in winter. This means that the plants will not have enough of that small amount of light coming from the sun. The way out is an artificial replacement of the heavenly body. Fortunately, among the variety of options, you can easily choose high-quality lighting for a specific type of greenhouse.
  5. Frame. Of course, a winter greenhouse is like a heavy warm jacket, which significantly increases the load on the supporting element. And if the top is still covered with snow, then a simple aluminum frame will have no chance to cope with the burden.
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Appointment

It is no exaggeration to say that literally any crop can be grown in a year-round greenhouse. It all depends on how independent the structure will be from external conditions. With a great desire and proper investment, it will be possible to serve at least a pineapple to the winter table. Needless to say about growing familiar crops.

Such a greenhouse will show itself well from the point of view of commerce. Agree, it is tempting to create a greenhouse of flowers when there are still drifts around. And, for example, to collect bouquets of roses by March 8 and make good money on it.

Flowers are undoubtedly beautiful plants, but for some it is better to enjoy their splendor when they remain in their original form, that is, uncut. If this way of thinking does not leave you indifferent, then, as mentioned earlier, there is no limit for the crops grown. All kinds of vegetables, be it cucumbers or tomatoes, herbs and even strawberries will be available all year round. And the red berry, ripe for the same on March 8, will be no less interesting purchase for the buyer.

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Types of structures

A winter greenhouse is not an easy structure to build. And the degree of its complexity, depending on the type chosen, differs significantly. Today there are so many interesting projects that you can spend more than one article on it. Let's dwell on the main types and their distinctive features.

Thermos

Probably the most efficient design that allows optimal use of natural resources, thereby reducing the gardener's operating costs. The principle of operation of such a greenhouse is as follows: a base buried in the ground significantly reduces heat leakage, while the loss of light is so minimal that it can be neglected. And the correct installation of reflective panels can completely beat the design feature, getting even more light than a conventional greenhouse.

This type of structure is also great for setting up its work in an offline mode.

If somewhere you managed to see lemons growing in a greenhouse, then they were probably in just such an underground greenhouse. And here everything is natural, because it is this design that will make it easier to recreate the conditions familiar to this subtropical fruit. And despite the fact that the greenhouse project was recently patented by Anatoly Patiy, it cannot be said that this is completely his development. After all, there is information about the fairly active use of such a design already in the 18th century. Then the construction technology was, of course, simpler, but the greenhouse still gave the opportunity to grow coffee, lemons and pineapples.

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Attached to the house

Another beneficial project in many aspects. Firstly, these are lower construction costs, since materials for the construction of at least one wall will not be needed. Secondly, the wall, which has been replaced by the whole house, will become the most powerful heat-insulating element, which will reduce heating costs.

And thirdly, not only the greenhouse becomes heated by the house, but also the house is a greenhouse, which again reduces heating costs. Also, such an extension will be part of the dwelling, which will serve as a pleasant addition on especially cold days, when you can get inside the greenhouse directly from a warm room.

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Arched

A good option for regions with strong winds, as the arched shape has good aerodynamics. In addition, there are a number of other pleasant features worth noting. The condensation formed at the top will not fall directly on the plants, but will simply flow down the wall. This small advantage will be of great help when the high-power lamps are on, which will cause many small burns on foliage if water is on it.

Speaking of lamps, one cannot help but notice that it is quite convenient to mount them in such a greenhouse.

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With a gable roof

Finally, the classic greenhouse shape. It has significant advantages that have been proven over the years. The first thing to notice is the used space. It is used more efficiently in comparison with the same arched greenhouse, in which it is difficult to plant tall plants along the walls. The second advantage, especially important when erecting a winter structure, is that the snow does not linger on the roof. This, as it is already easy to guess, significantly reduces the risks of sagging or breakage of the covering material. Also, additional strength is provided due to the structural features of the frame, which makes it more reliable. Well, the simplicity of construction, which draws attention to the design of those people who intend to build a greenhouse on their own.

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Manufacturing materials

The amount of materials used for it also depends on the type of structure being built.

In order not to be sprayed on all sorts of options, consider a typical list of things that will be needed to build a homemade thermos greenhouse

  • Instead of a brick base, like in overground greenhouses, experienced gardeners and builders advise using thermoblocks. They keep heat much better than bricks, in addition, they are quite easy to handle.
  • To create a roof frame, you will need wooden slats or a metal profile. It is worth noting here that woodworking will generally be less time consuming. And when choosing a metal profile, you will also need the skills of a welder or the master himself. But with proper protection of the metal from oxidative processes, it will be a more reliable choice and can last longer.
  • Mineral wool or expanded polystyrene (aka polystyrene) is used as a heater. Both materials have approximately the same thermal conductivity, but there are many differences in installation, durability, environmental friendliness and other aspects, based on which only you can decide which material is better.
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  • Of course, in such a structure, you cannot do without a foundation. Its manufacture includes a number of familiar components: cement, sand, crushed stone, fittings. A strip foundation is well suited for this design.
  • To gain in the amount of light received by plants and create additional thermal insulation at the same time, a dense reflective film is installed on the walls.
  • For the manufacture of a roof, double polycarbonate or ordinary polycarbonate, but in two layers, is perfect. Glass is also used as an analog, but its thermal insulation properties will be lower.
  • And without which no construction can do - fastening materials. In our case, these are screws, washers, nails and other products that allow you to connect structural elements.
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The subtleties of DIY installation

Before talking directly about installation, it is worth saying a few words about choosing a place for future construction. As with any greenhouse, it should be open with no shading. For an even distribution of sunlight, the structure is placed from east to west. And if the groundwater on the site is close to the surface, then in order to prevent problems, it is better to choose the highest place.

The first stage of construction is to dig a pit. For a small greenhouse (10-15 sq. M.), All the work can be done manually, but for more ambitious plans, you should think about the use of technology. Maybe 20 sq. m at first it will not seem like a large area, but the problem is in the depth of the pit. It should be no less than the level of soil freezing, which on average is about 1.5 m for the southern regions and 2 m for the northern ones.

Also, at this stage, you need to have an idea of future communications, how the heating system will go, whether you need a sewage system, etc.

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Next comes the manufacture of wooden formwork, into which a layer of roofing material is placed. It will protect the future foundation and the greenhouse itself from the effects of destructive moisture. A 10 cm layer of sand cushion is poured on top. This is a mixture of crushed stone and sand 1: 1. A metal frame is installed on the pillow itself, including at least 4-6 rods.

Then a solution is prepared from sand, crushed stone and cement in a ratio of 5: 3: 1. Formwork with a frame is poured with it. This is where this stage ends. It is better to start the next one no earlier than the expiration of the 30-day period. This measure allows the foundation to dry out and become stronger.

At the next stage, the first step is to remove the formwork, after which the walls can be erected. If your choice fell on a thermoblock, then the principle of its laying is the same as that of a brick. You just need to make sure that the voids inside the block overlap each other. As a result, the walls should be 50 cm higher than the ground level.

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Upon completion, cement is poured into the voids of the thermoblocks and reinforcement is inserted at the rate of 2 pieces per block. A better solution would be to produce a phased fill to a height of no more than three blocks at a time.

In this case, you need to fasten the pieces of reinforcement alternately for each layer. But how to dispose of your labor and time resources is up to you.

When building a roof, consider an option that most people can handle. Namely, the construction of a frame made of wood. Guided by the drawings in the picture, it is necessary to prepare wooden beams. And before you start working with them, they must be covered with a protective agent. The prepared elements are interconnected by means of jumpers, and when the frame is ready, you can paint it.

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Polycarbonate is attached to the wooden frame with washers and wood screws. Of the installation features, it is worth noting that the self-tapping screw is not directly screwed into the polycarbonate sheet, but through a wooden strip, as shown in the figure. After that, it is checked whether there are any slots in the design. If there are any, the problem is eliminated with polyurethane foam. All joints are glued with transparent material, in extreme cases, this can be done with tape.

In terms of the size of the greenhouse, everything is limited only by the area of available land, financial capabilities and the very purpose of construction. It is clear that for personal use there is no need to build a structure of 200 sq. m. But continuing to consider the features of a thermos greenhouse, it must be said that according to the norms for proper energy efficiency, it should not exceed 5 m in width, and there are no longer any restrictions in length. Also, for better light penetration, one wall is erected above the other, but this is not a prerequisite for the design.

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Ventilation and heating

We have come to the fundamental element, without which the winter greenhouse cannot function - the heating system. And today every gardener is able to choose the optimal heating method based on his capabilities.

Stove

An excellent option for small greenhouses with an average area of 20 sq. m. The obvious advantage is the ease of installation and use. But if we take into account the classic type oven, then a tangible difficulty appears. Throughout the entire cold period, you will have to stay near the greenhouse without a break in order for the combustion to continue continuously. The installation of a long-burning furnace partially solves this problem.

Its main principle is that the fuel rather does not burn, but smolders due to the reduced supply of oxygen to the combustion chamber.

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Water

More complex option. The design feature allows for wider coverage of the scope of application. The system is a water heating element (boiler) with a pipe line connected to it. For large areas, a pump is also connected here, which will ensure an even distribution of water. In small greenhouses, you can save on this, since the water has time to fully circulate only due to the difference in water temperature. Such a system is not cheap, but if you value autonomy then this is a good option to consider.

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Electrical

There are several options for what kind of heating it will be, but considering the classic (heat fan and analogues), it should be said right away that in operation this method will not be budgetary. But in the ease of installation, he has no equal. If the greenhouse is well insulated from the external environment and requires operational heating, then you can safely choose a technique such as a fan heater, heat gun or electric convector. Indeed, it is enough to stretch the extension cord and plug the heater into the outlet so that the greenhouse heats up in a short period of time.

But this, perhaps, is where the benefits end. Of the characteristic disadvantages, it should be borne in mind that to install a heater, it is necessary to allocate a place for it without plants in the immediate vicinity.

This is especially true for powerful installations, for example, a heat gun. Another disadvantage is the uneven distribution of heat. It will not be easy to ensure that all plants in the greenhouse have the same temperature conditions. And, finally, high electricity costs will not allow this option to be conveniently used as a permanent source of heat for the long term. Of course, provided that you care about the size of your electricity bill.

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Infrared

This method takes the idea of electric heating to another level. The disadvantages that were described above when using classic installations do not apply to the infrared heater. He, unlike them, is significantly more economical in operation and is able to distribute heat better.

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Passive

And finally, let's consider 2 of the most interesting, albeit less common, self-heating options for a greenhouse.

The first of them is heating based on the remains of various organic materials. Its essence lies in the fact that substances release heat during their natural decay. Our goal is to put this energy on the right track. Here you can act in different ways. For example, lay the prepared organic matter directly into the beds under the soil layer. One of the best materials for this is horse manure, which can heat up to 38 ° C and keep that temperature for 3 months.

In addition to the direct introduction of organic matter, there is an option to lay it under the greenhouse. For this, a hole is dug, where the material is placed, after which the hole is closed. Warm air, rising, will warm the floor, and with it the structure itself.

And after the organic matter has developed all the heat, it's time to use it as fertilizer.

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The second, perhaps the most interesting, method, which many have hardly heard of, is based on the "conservation" of the sun. It is much more complicated than the option in which a barrel of water placed in the greenhouse will heat up during the day and give off heat at night. But they definitely have a similarity.

It may seem dubious that such an undertaking will work, but Canadian farmers are able to break this skepticism, because they really have a solar greenhouse that works in winter. And this is not Greece with its relatively mild temperature changes over the seasons. In the area where the greenhouse operates, frosts in winter average 20-25 ° C, when the temperature in the structure itself remains above 0 ° C.

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For the so-called conservation of the sun, a large pipe is used that runs under the ceiling along the entire length of the greenhouse. When the summer air heats up, a fan starts up, pushing the warm air through pipes into the ground. With the arrival of cold weather, warm air is released from the ground, which acts as a heating for the entire greenhouse. This is how it looks, if you describe it very briefly. Of course, this method requires careful technological preparation of the structure itself, where it is planned to grow the plants. And if this does not allow you to completely get rid of the active heating system, then at least it will significantly reduce costs, which will quickly pay off.

An important condition for high-quality work in winter, and any other greenhouse, is a constant air exchange. In small structures, it is enough to arrange the presence of several hermetically sealed openings and carry out the ventilation manually or using automatic pistons.

For large greenhouses (over 30 sq. M.), An active ventilation system is installed. This is done in such a way that the supply fan is at the bottom, and the exhaust fan is at the top at the other end of the greenhouse. Thus, fresh air entering the interior passes through all levels of the structure and, having worked out, is removed. It should be noted that some active ventilation systems are equipped with software, thanks to which it becomes possible to automate the air exchange process.

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Lighting

Additional lighting is another essential component of a winter greenhouse. As already mentioned, for the full growth of plants, a daylight hours of more than 12 hours are needed, which becomes impossible in winter conditions. And hence the need to purchase lighting equipment. Let's consider the most relevant options.

Fluorescent lamps

For a good harvest, this is not a suitable option, but for growing seedlings, perhaps the optimal one. Such bulbs are inexpensive, easy to install, last long and consume little electricity.

But their relatively weak luminous flux will no longer be able to ensure the full growth of a growing plant.

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High pressure discharge lamps

Having made a choice in favor of this type of lighting, you will not go wrong. Lamps have a high luminous efficiency, while their burning is accompanied by abundant heat production. This will clearly have a positive effect on a room that needs heating.

Only here it is necessary to take into account that for each stage of plant development, its own light spectrum is needed. So, for the growing season, a metal halide lamp (MGL) is ideal, which emits light in the desired blue spectrum. And for flowering and fruit development - sodium (HPS). A negative feature of these lamps is a more complex assembly due to the need for additional equipment and fragility in use.

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LED lights

Recently introduced to the market, they deserve more and more respect among gardeners. Such a lamp is able to provide plants with both the required luminous flux and the required spectrum for each stage of development. You can even call it the best option for a greenhouse. Speaking of the negative aspects, the decent cost of such a light source should be noted.

But given that the LED has a long lifespan and low electricity consumption, you can quickly recoup your investment.

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Usage Tips

The construction of a winter greenhouse is a large-scale project that is very different from its spring counterpart.

There are a few tips to take into account to help you cope with the structure

  1. Calculate your financial capabilities from the very beginning so that the winter greenhouse does not turn into a long-term construction.
  2. A good solution would be to equip a small vestibule in front of the entrance to the greenhouse. This will provide an extra layer of air for thermal insulation and prevent cold air from entering with you.
  3. It will be useful to install not only a thermometer, but also a hygrometer to monitor the efficiency of the ventilation system and prevent the development of mold.
  4. The presence of a large number of technical devices in the greenhouse requires daily monitoring of all systems, which will help to identify and eliminate possible breakdowns at an early stage.

An overview of the winter greenhouse is in the next video.

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