Building a Greenhouse

Question:

I am looking for cheap greenhouse shelving. Any ideas?

Doreen from Pine Plains, NY

Answer:

Hi Doreen,

There are several things to consider when setting up a shelving system for your greenhouse. First, greenhouses are moist environments, so look for shelving made from a material that will hold up to the constant humidity without rusting or rotting. Next, unless you plan to supplement available natural light with artificial lights, look for open shelving that allows light to penetrate through to the shelves beneath it.

Finally, make sure the shelving you choose can hold up to the weight of lots of pots filled with plants and moist soil. Other things to consider are size, ease of cleaning, portability, and of course most importantly, your budget.

Sam's Club features a shelving system made out of commercial grade chrome steel for around $75 (plus shipping if you don't have one nearby). The systems features 6 adjustable wire shelves, each rated for up to 600lbs. As an added bonus, the whole system is on casters, which makes moving and cleaning it more convenient, and if you decide to add grow lights to any of the shelves, the fact that they are open will make them easy to hang. If these fit your size and are within your budget, they seem like a great deal to me.

Target also feature similar shelving units in various sizes. I suspect you could find similar units at most of the larger retail discount stores and home centers.

Depending on how your greenhouse has been constructed, another option is to use the wall-mounted closet shelving designed for organizing closets. This is easy to find at any major home or garden center. It allows you to customize your shelving and add to it as your budget allows. The shelves are open and usually coated with plastic. Because they are designed to accommodate hangers, they are ready made for hanging pots. Plan to reinforce them with extra brackets to account for the added weight of heavy pots.

Other ideas include browsing building salvage companies and area thrift stores like Goodwill. You never know when you are going to stumble upon an old bookcase or other piece of furniture that can be converted into shelving.

If you are willing to be creative, consider taking out an ad in a local mid-week or hanging up flyers. People who are spring cleaning their house or garage may be more than happy to unload their "junk" for free (or for trade) as long as you're willing to pick it up. For cheap reclaimed building supplies, don't forget to check out your local materials exchange:

• http://www.hvmaterialsexchange.com/

Good luck!

Ellen

Yes a little electric space heater does the trick! I use one of those electric oil heaters and it works perfectly! I also keep a fan (the ones you can clip on anywhere) going for air circulation.

We replaced the windows in our house last year, as did our neighbor. All of the old windows were saved and went into building my new greenhouse! Have fun!