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Avatar for Marcom1234
Aug 25, 2021 9:36 PM CST
Thread OP

I'm looking to have a multi-purpose greenhouse.

16 feet long, 10 feet wide.

I want to start some plants in the greenhouse, and move them to the garden.
Some I want to start AND finish in the greenhouse.

I'd like a small section to be clear…. And the rest diffused.

My thoughts are 10 feet diffused, 6 feet clear…… and both east and west walls diffused.


Is this a crazy idea? Good idea? Somewhere in between?

Any input is appreciated 😀
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Aug 26, 2021 4:06 AM CST
Name: Jim
NE PA (Zone 6b)
Greenhouse Vegetable Grower Fruit Growers Seed Starter Canning and food preservation Region: Pennsylvania
Hi @Marcom1234 and welcome to the group! Welcome!

Your greenhouse and purpose are similar to mine. My greenhouse is 8 x 16. I start all my seeds in it. Some I move outside and some live their whole lives in my greenhouse. My entire greenhouse has twin wall polycarbonate which diffuses the light, and everything thrives. So, my question is, what would be the purpose of having some of you greenhouse glazing clear?

Jim
My PA Food Forest Thread at NGA
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” (Rabindranath Tagore)
Avatar for Marcom1234
Aug 26, 2021 7:27 AM CST
Thread OP

I have read that clear helps warm the soil and gives seedlings a better start?


" There are many benefits to using a diffused plastic covering for a greenhouse.

Clear panels deliver direct light while opaque panels provide diffused light. If you want to germinate seeds and grow starters which will be transplanted outdoors, then a clear covering has the advantage of bringing full, direct light to the starter trays. This warms the soil and encourages germinating seeds to sprout and develop into a vigorous starter plants for transplanting.

If you plan on growing the plants to maturity in a greenhouse, a diffused covering has the advantage of providing even light for balanced foliage growth as well as preventing hot spots within the greenhouse."

I see the above quote everywhere while researching🤷‍♂️
Avatar for Marcom1234
Aug 26, 2021 7:55 AM CST
Thread OP

I'd be happy to go all diffused… just seemed like it wasn't smart…. But sounds like I can? And thanks for the welcome 😀
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Aug 26, 2021 8:12 AM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Welcome to NGA, @Marcom1234

I agree that there would be no real reason to have part of the GH clear and part diffused - unless you just want a clear area that you can see through better when you're working inside it. (And I would definitely have the south side diffused.) You didn't say where you are located, but almost anywhere the bigger issue becomes too much heat inside - so be sure you have plenty of ventilation. Smiling
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
Avatar for Marcom1234
Aug 26, 2021 8:53 AM CST
Thread OP

Ok thank you everyone, I'll go with all diffused 😀
Avatar for karmahappytoes
Aug 26, 2021 9:26 AM CST
PNW/SW WA State (Zone 8b)
A little confused here, I have never seen one sold half clear half diffused. I would
be concerned about the clear on burning plant material. Glad you are going with
a diffused one.
Avatar for Marcom1234
Aug 26, 2021 10:28 AM CST
Thread OP

I'm building it myself and just reading up on coverings and was a bit confused myself.

Seeing that starting seeds is best under clear…. 🤷‍♂️ You might be able to tell I'm new to greenhouses🤪
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Aug 26, 2021 11:05 AM CST
Name: Daisy I
Reno, Nv (Zone 6b)
Not all who wander are lost
Garden Sages Plant Identifier
My greenhouse is 5-wall super polycarbonate. Most of my greenhouse has permanent plants but I do save a shelf for seed starting. I've never had a problem.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

President: Orchid Society of Northern Nevada
Webmaster: osnnv.org
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Aug 26, 2021 12:10 PM CST
Name: Jim
NE PA (Zone 6b)
Greenhouse Vegetable Grower Fruit Growers Seed Starter Canning and food preservation Region: Pennsylvania
Marcom1234 said:I have read that clear helps warm the soil and gives seedlings a better start?


" There are many benefits to using a diffused plastic covering for a greenhouse.

Clear panels deliver direct light while opaque panels provide diffused light. If you want to germinate seeds and grow starters which will be transplanted outdoors, then a clear covering has the advantage of bringing full, direct light to the starter trays. This warms the soil and encourages germinating seeds to sprout and develop into a vigorous starter plants for transplanting.

If you plan on growing the plants to maturity in a greenhouse, a diffused covering has the advantage of providing even light for balanced foliage growth as well as preventing hot spots within the greenhouse."

I see the above quote everywhere while researching🤷‍♂️


I guess one can find just about any opinion since everyone has one. nodding My experience tells me that diffused works just as well both in providing adequate light and warming the soil. It is the temperature of the greenhouse that warms the soil, not the sunlight. Also, with clear, you run the risk of burning tender plants; the opposite is true with diffused light. I would be interested in what you decide and your results.
My PA Food Forest Thread at NGA
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” (Rabindranath Tagore)
Avatar for Marcom1234
Aug 26, 2021 1:01 PM CST
Thread OP

MoonShadows said:

I guess one can find just about any opinion since everyone has one. nodding My experience tells me that diffused works just as well both in providing adequate light and warming the soil. It is the temperature of the greenhouse that warms the soil, not the sunlight. Also, with clear, you run the risk of burning tender plants; the opposite is true with diffused light. I would be interested in what you decide and your results.


I'm absolutely going all diffused. It's what my gut said but multiple sites stated the quote I posted in some form or another.
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Aug 26, 2021 1:05 PM CST
Name: Jim
NE PA (Zone 6b)
Greenhouse Vegetable Grower Fruit Growers Seed Starter Canning and food preservation Region: Pennsylvania
Marcom1234 said:

I'm absolutely going all diffused. It's what my gut said but multiple sites stated the quote I posted in some form or another.


You will be fine with all diffused. Make sure to keep us updated with your progress. And, remember, we love photos! Thumbs up
My PA Food Forest Thread at NGA
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” (Rabindranath Tagore)
Avatar for Marcom1234
Aug 26, 2021 4:02 PM CST
Thread OP

Thumb of 2021-08-26/Marcom1234/b39fb6

Does this seem appropriate?
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Aug 26, 2021 5:14 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
12 mil sounds excessively heavy to me (I could certainly be wrong about this) - I have a 16x20 "high tunnel" type of GH that is covered with 6 mil greenhouse film and that was a bear to deal with! (Especially compared with the cheap 3-mil plastic film that I bought locally and used on my smaller 7x15 high tunnel...)

I'm sure someone here (Moonshadows?) knows more about this than I do - is thicker better?

I will say, though, that the "anti-condensation" feature would be really nice (assuming it actually works); I opted to not go that route (because I'm cheap) and there are times in the spring and early winter when it is literally raining inside my high tunnel!)
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
Avatar for Marcom1234
Aug 26, 2021 7:19 PM CST
Thread OP

Weedwhacker said:12 mil sounds excessively heavy to me (I could certainly be wrong about this) - I have a 16x20 "high tunnel" type of GH that is covered with 6 mil greenhouse film and that was a bear to deal with! (Especially compared with the cheap 3-mil plastic film that I bought locally and used on my smaller 7x15 high tunnel...)

I'm sure someone here (Moonshadows?) knows more about this than I do - is thicker better?

I will say, though, that the "anti-condensation" feature would be really nice (assuming it actually works); I opted to not go that route (because I'm cheap) and there are times in the spring and early winter when it is literally raining inside my high tunnel!)



They make a 9 mil woven one also but seems more …."clear" I'm hoping the 12 mil is more diffuse…. But I'm totally new to greenhouse stuff. So welcome any input.
Avatar for karmahappytoes
Aug 26, 2021 8:31 PM CST
PNW/SW WA State (Zone 8b)
Marcom1234, Amazon had a 10 ml greenhouse plastic that was supposed to be clear but
when we got it, it was white and let me tell you well worth the price. For years we have used
the 6ml plastic from the big box store and we found with the difference in Climate Change we
were changing it out almost every other year. No savings at all. We put up out kit greenhouse
if my memory serves me 2014, purchased at Sears.


Thumb of 2021-08-27/karmahappytoes/857bce
Inside the kit greenhouse.

Thumb of 2021-08-27/karmahappytoes/faab08
Here is the frame of the Brug House, reinforced corners in metal.



Thumb of 2021-08-27/karmahappytoes/440a6c
Measured out the plastic before putting it up.

Thumb of 2021-08-27/karmahappytoes/a6bc88
Wrapped the plastic around the wall and had enough to put
on the top.

Best of luck on your new greenhouse.
Image
Aug 26, 2021 8:39 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
For what it's worth - I'm on my 4th year with the 6-mil greenhouse film (from Greenhouse Megastore); so far the only problem has been my cat jumping out of a tree onto the top of it and trying to get a grip on the plastic Rolling my eyes. (Clear Gorilla Tape makes a nice patch Hilarious! )
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
Image
Aug 27, 2021 3:43 AM CST
Name: Jim
NE PA (Zone 6b)
Greenhouse Vegetable Grower Fruit Growers Seed Starter Canning and food preservation Region: Pennsylvania
If going with plastic film, I recommend
Standard Clear Greenhouse Film, 6mil
https://www.greenhousemegastor...
My PA Food Forest Thread at NGA
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” (Rabindranath Tagore)
Avatar for Marcom1234
Aug 27, 2021 9:57 AM CST
Thread OP

MoonShadows said:If going with plastic film, I recommend
Standard Clear Greenhouse Film, 6mil


Just trying to learn here…. But why recommend that as apposed to the woven film? They have a12 mil and a 9 mil woven…. What disadvantage does the woven have that 6 mil clear film doesn't?
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Aug 27, 2021 11:39 AM CST
Name: Jim
NE PA (Zone 6b)
Greenhouse Vegetable Grower Fruit Growers Seed Starter Canning and food preservation Region: Pennsylvania
Unless you live in a very high wind area, you don't need the extra strength, and it weighs so much more, making it more difficult to work with when covering your structure.
My PA Food Forest Thread at NGA
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” (Rabindranath Tagore)

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