October 20, 2022

Greenhouse: Foundation

Decision made, no time wasted! The weather has been pretty, so Dan got right to work. We'd decided on a dirt floor for our greenhouse, but since the ground starts to slope at the back, Dan either had to dig out the high area, or build up the low area. He chose the one that was the least amount of work!

Lowest spot is by the fence

He took down the first fence panel and gate, and got started.

Little chicken inspected, approved, and certified bug free







It probably seems unconventional, but it's similar to how the foundation of our 100-year-old house was done. We're too far south to have a frost heave problem, so traditional regional methods work well.

There are still several things to figure out, but your comments and suggestions have been very helpful, and we thank you for them.

20 comments:

tpals said...

I have no idea what any of it means, but am still fascinated by the process.

Leigh said...

Tpals, all I know is that Dan spends a lot of time in deep thought mode!

Ed said...

Yep, totally foreign to my eyes up here in the 24" of frost zone. It certainly would make for an easier foundation.

But the one nice thing about having a large concrete foundation and in my case, floor, is the thermal mass really helps out lengthening our season!

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

Leigh, am I seeing it right that the upper pictures are intended to be a step so there will be two entrances into the greenhouse?

Leigh said...

Ed, good point about concrete as a thermal mass.

One thing that was fascinating in my permaculture design course, was the different building techniques for the different climates. It was quite interesting! We're in a mild temperate climate, where we rarely have frozen ground because we rarely have daytime temperatures below freezing.

TB, yes, the step will be for the exterior door. Plus, Dan wanted to support the concrete wall, so it's a two-fer. The other door will be going into the house. We'll replace one of those windows with a door. Probably the one closest to the chimney.

Quinn said...

Excited for you, Leigh! I thought long and hard about building a greenhouse last year around this time, but ended up having a 20-foot run-in added to the South side of the goat barn instead, with a wood floor and easily-movable dividers to make 2 to 4 separate sections. I could close off one section to use as a seed-starting area, but haven't tried it yet. Maybe 2023 :)

Leigh said...

Quinn, good to hear from you! Sounds like a good project, nonetheless! But that's the way of it, we're always weighing priorities, options, and projects.

Anonymous said...

That’s just awesome Leigh! I’m really excited to watch the progress of this one and I love the fact that Dan shows his cerebral strengths by choosing the path of least resistance. I think this is going to be up and gone before any of us even imagine of course depending on weather.

I still want to get you the information that I told you about on the domes and also pictures of my green house that I had up north but I’ve had my daughter here the last couple of days .I had two cords of wood to stack and needed some help and there’s a potential of rain next week later next week. I thought we better get that done. So between having extra hands and a willing worker I have been concentrating on that basically and a few other things of that nature before the rain gets here. And the goats are thrilled because the pasture is starting to go to low on green grass.

Jenn Jilks said...

Well done. I wouldn't have a clue.

PioneerPreppy said...

Only reason I could see to maybe think about a different footing/foundation is because of Varmints. I was going to put mine on standard deck footing pylons but keep the entire thing off the ground to discourage something getting under there and making a home. Unless you want to make a 2 or 3 story green house what you guys got there should be more than enough plus some but would allow things dig dig through/under it. Looks good though I am envious!!!

Leigh said...

Goatldi, "cerebral strength!" Dan will like that!

I hope you get that rain. We may get some next week took, but often the forecast is wrong. I'll definitely enjoy seeing your pictures.

Jenn, neither would I! Fortunately, Dan does. :)

PP, we do have skunks that will dig under things (to get to chickens). They've done a lot of damage in my garden too, Not sure if just vegetables is worth digging for. I hope not!

Rain said...

Thanks for the congrats Leigh! I've been working so hard on YT for the last year! I love that you're building a greenhouse. May sound like a silly question, but is it easy to remove the wood around the cement when it dries? Doesn't stick?

Leigh said...

Rain, you mean the form? Dan does these all the time, so apparently no sticking!

Rain said...

I guess I mean the form!! I always thought the cement stuck to anything lol!

Cederq said...

Leigh, you mention the size is determined by the height of the windows. Are you going to just over the windows to tie into the header above the windows? Then down to the soil level? Or, are you bringing that up so you are level or a slight drainage slope? I like the idea about a green house off of one side, not crazy with another outside door to have to lock and worry about unauthorized entrance.

Leigh said...

Rain, I think it can if it sits there. Dan removes the forms before it's completely cured, so that may make a difference. I'm not very knowledgeable about concrete!

Kevin, Dan's mulling over roof ideas, but yes, the first idea is to put a header above the window trim on the side of the house. The greenhouse walls will be made of the same windows, and will need a short pony wall on the bottom, with the height of the windows making up the rest of the wall. I should have pictures soon.

Florida Farm Girl said...

As usual, can't wait to see how the new project works out.

Leigh said...

Sue, me too!

Powell River Books said...

I've always wished for a greenhouse, but snowbirding now during the fall/winter months makes it less desirable to get or make one. - Margy

Leigh said...

Margy, it would be tough to tend a greenhouse while traveling!