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 😀

Hi @Marcom1234 and welcome to the group!

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

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'd be happy to go all diffused… just seemed like it wasn't smart…. But sounds like I can? And thanks for the welcome 😀

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.

Ok thank you everyone, I'll go with all diffused 😀

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.

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🤪

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.

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. 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.

MoonShadows said:

I guess one can find just about any opinion since everyone has one. 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.

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!

Does this seem appropriate?

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!)

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.

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.



Inside the kit greenhouse.


Here is the frame of the Brug House, reinforced corners in metal.




Measured out the plastic before putting it up.


Wrapped the plastic around the wall and had enough to put
on the top.

Best of luck on your new greenhouse.

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 (Clear Gorilla Tape makes a nice patch )

If going with plastic film, I recommend
Standard Clear Greenhouse Film, 6mil
https://www.greenhousemegastor...

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?

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.