Hi all!

Rather than take over the HFGH thread (since we are not building another HF), I am starting a new thread for our orchid greenhouse.

Decisions, decisions...GrowSpan Gothic Pro OR the Atlas Frances Greenhouse. Well, we went in favor of the lower priced GrowSpan Gothic Pro.

While both GH are highly rated by some orchid folks down in NE Florida, the Atlas was double the cost without the accessories and that is just not in the budget.

Plus a friend of mine who grows great award winning Vandas uses the GrowSpan system up in Springfield, MO (near our zone) so I think it will be fine.

Step one is to clear the site. Yesterday afternoon, we felled nine trees on our property (5 that were directly related to the GH site). We have about 6 more small ones to go before we can start laying out the ground and leveling.

One MAJOR change to this plan is that we are not going to put in a concrete pad. We are going to dig down and put in a limestone base very similar to an equestrian arena. They drain well and should be much easier on my back. More later with pictures of the site!

Where are the pictures? I want to follow!

Oh boy -- I can't wait to watch your progress on this GH, Melissa!!

When I saw the post where you said you were thinking about going with the GrowSpan GH, I had to google to see what it was like... but I forgot to put in the "Pro" part and ended up finding the Gothic HobbyPro, which looks to be a really nice "hoophouse." I'm seriously considering going with that one in the 16x20 size, to replace my aging (and deteriorating) 8x16 Rion GH; my plan would be to orient it in the opposite direction (N to S instead of E to W), so it would cover the same area as the Rion but also extend 12 feet into my veggie garden so I would have the one area still for starting my seedlings and storing my growing stuff, and the larger area for in-ground planting. If you -- or anyone else here -- has any knowledge about the GrowSpan HobbyPro greenhouses, good or bad, I'd love to hear it!

Here are the first pictures. This is going to be a slower process as I have a new job so not as much free time at the moment. Plus clearing the site is a lot more involved.

We have to look at the canopy to decide which trees are going and which are staying.

Also interested in seeing your build. I've considered these before, though they're a bit on the small side for me. I'll be very interested in how it works out for you, and what complications you come across in the build, accessorizing, and maintaining it.

You're really starting from scratch this time, Melissa! What size GH did you decide on?

Weedwhacker said:You're really starting from scratch this time, Melissa! What size GH did you decide on?

We are thinking the 16'x20' but it will depend on the site after we clear the trees.

i want the 20 by 60 one I think, want to see how this goes. But I want to grow more herbs. Can not wait to see your build progress.

More clearing. Sorry, this is the boring labor part.

The site clearing is taking a lot longer than expected. We have an infestation of honeysuckle, privet, and poison ivy.

We did decide on the 14'x16' GothicPro Premium. The site would not work for the 16'x20' and would have required extensive back fill. Also we want the greenhouse to be fun and not a chore. We felt like going too big would make us end up hating it.

We are still debating the base (limestone vs concrete). This will be our forever site so we want to get it right. We do know that we are going to put in a base foundation of minimum 2' to lift the peak height. We may go 3' by digging down into the site.

Here are more boring pictures of yard clearing.

On a side note about purchasing, Farmtek offers financing so we are looking at their 2 year zero percent interest deal. That is a really sweet deal.

At least there is progress. For me at least, no building project ends up going as well, as fast, or within the budget as I had hoped.

drdawg said:At least there is progress. For me at least, no building project ends up going as well, as fast, or within the budget as I had hoped.

Oh boy -- ditto to that! Every time we have done some major remodeling, building, or whatever project, it's taken at least twice as long and cost twice as much as we expected

On the upside, each time we've been really happy we did it! I know you are going to love the new GH, Melissa

The planning is what will make this job your's. Anyone can build a greenhouse. But to get it the way YOU want takes more planning and involvement than most outside builders would allow. Or, at least they would charge you for it! You are moving right along. We can see it though you may not.

The clearing is complete! The foundation contractor is coming tomorrow and electrical is coming on Monday to give quotes. Locking down a plumber is a challenge. They are super busy!

Stack of clearing debris.


Back yard during torrential downpour. NO, the greenhouse is not going in this corner. This is where the water drains to the sewer.

It looks like you had similar rain/storms that we experienced today, Melissa.

You're on your way!! Thanks for the update.

The greenhouse is officially ordered.

After some careful comparisons of the footprints of each unit (heating and cooling) as well as the enormous cost of running a gas line from the street to the back yard, we have decided to go with a mini-split A/C heating unit. This also means that we don't have to have any exhaust fans or vents. This means extra quiet, fewer bugs, and fewer cut holes in the poly.

We already have a 60 amp dedicated service on our shed, which we can take off underground for the greenhouse. This will more than cover the amps needed.

We are looking at the LG Model: LS307HV3 30,000 BTU cooling; 32,000 BTU heating ductless mini-split. The price is reasonable and we don't have to have any plumbing. It does require an HVAC installation, but a couple of MOS members have these units and they have some install guys who can do the work at a reasonable cost.

We are going with two 40W LED lights and 3 corrosion resistant ceiling-mount fans. We are adding 4 extra outlets and the hot-water heater. I did spring for the overhead hose trolley.

For the foundation, we are going with a concrete slab sloping to a large drain at one end. We are building up a 3' pony wall so the peak will be 12'4".

That is awesome

I agree with Heath! Can't wait for the step-by-step on this one, Melissa!!

That will be one heck of a greenhouse, Melissa. We used a Samsung mini-split unit in our new solarium.