Warning - this can happen to you!

[Ray]

Subtitle: "Damn! That's a lot of work."

So, you think you want a greenhouse, huh? Read carefully:

OK, so a couple of weeks ago I got out the ladder and scrubbed the outside of my greenhouse to get rid of all of the crud the trees and birds have deposited. It made such an improvement, that I went off the deep end:

Last weekend I emptied the greenhouse - all the plants went outside, then I dismantled the old benches - a 15 year old tiered bench built from pressure-treated stair stringers and 2 x 4's, and one made of galvanized metal.

Then I pressure washed the entire structure, raked the gravel floor level, and followed that by a complete dousing with Physan, plus a floor saturation with a herbicide.

(As an aside - it's truly amazing how clear the polycarbonate panels stay after 10 years.)

Evenings this week I built entirely new benches, using Dura-Bench panels, on pressure-treated 2 x 4 frames, using 5/4 x 6 decking planks to form walls to keep pots from falling off the edges.

Now I get to move plants back in, cleaning, trimming, and repotting as needed.

Oh yeah, I have orders to process, too...

[Kris]

Ray I hear you.

I think allot of people talk about how great green houses are but no one really talks about marinating the green house. We try to do a yearly cleaning of our greenhouses this includes pressure washing everything, as well dousing with Physan, Scrub down all the fans and clean up the dust in them ect. It is allot of work and time, but I think a green house is still the way to grow.

Kris

[littlefrog]

So are you not building any new tiered benches? I'm both frustrated and pleased with mine, on alternating days...

[justatypn]

"Damn that's a lot of work" ... but well worth the effort and your chids will be happy happy happy, newly fresh, clean enviroment, they wont know how to act.

Thanks for the heads up and will think about that "damn a lot of work" when I get depressed that I do not have a growing area greenhouse, just a small breakfast nook and other surrounding well lite area's of my condo.

[Oscarman]

Nice perspective,still want a greenhouse. Love to see some pictures of benches some of you have built.

What is the source for Dura-Bench?

[Gin]

I still have my GH. to clean for winter. ...
Hey Ray when you get done with yours ... hint hint . Farmtek might have the bench material . Gin

[Marty]

What are you talking about Ray? That's all fun work! You could be changing poopy diapers :-) hehe.

btw, lets see a few photos of the new shelves and your GH.

[Marleneann]

It is amazing how much time one can spend on this hobby of ours.
Yes...I too spent all afternoon cleaning up my green house. But it does make such a difference. I tend to do some work on a reqular basis...rather then have one big clean-up.

Marleneann.

Originally Posted by Ray

Subtitle: "Damn! That's a lot of work."

So, you think you want a greenhouse, huh? Read carefully:

OK, so a couple of weeks ago I got out the ladder and scrubbed the outside of my greenhouse to get rid of all of the crud the trees and birds have deposited. It made such an improvement, that I went off the deep end:

Last weekend I emptied the greenhouse - all the plants went outside, then I dismantled the old benches - a 15 year old tiered bench built from pressure-treated stair stringers and 2 x 4's, and one made of galvanized metal.

Then I pressure washed the entire structure, raked the gravel floor level, and followed that by a complete dousing with Physan, plus a floor saturation with a herbicide.

(As an aside - it's truly amazing how clear the polycarbonate panels stay after 10 years.)

Evenings this week I built entirely new benches, using Dura-Bench panels, on pressure-treated 2 x 4 frames, using 5/4 x 6 decking planks to form walls to keep pots from falling off the edges.

Now I get to move plants back in, cleaning, trimming, and repotting as needed.

Oh yeah, I have orders to process, too...

[Ray]

I ended up repotting almost every plant - let's hear it for S/H and simplicity!

Got a bunch of divisions that will be on the market once they're established.

Rob,

I went with flat benches - away from the walls - so the plants would be accessible from all sides and not overgrow themselves up against the glazing. That way I can conveniently spray to keep the algae at bay...in theory, anyway.

[Stephan]

Hey Ray

While I empathise with your plight , all I can say is that, as a hobbyist, I am never so relaxed as when I'm attending my plants. With transparent pots I get to watch the health both top and bottom.

I clean, I catalogue, I repot - I sit at my table and sip on beer during the balmy weekend weather and I am there.

Don't get snow here either - but it gets darn hot in Summer.

Cheers
Stephan