Shepp's Greenhouse Pictures

[Ann B.]

Hi, Everyone!

Shepp sent some of his pictures of his greenhouse to me. As you can tell by the pictures, it is huge and built very sturdy. I am hoping that Shepp will let us know more details about how he constructed his greenhouse. In the meantime, I am sure some of you will have questions. Please post your questions here, so that we may all see the answers...

Click on the link below to see 3 views of his greenhouse:

http://www.landspro.com/page2500.htm

Thanks, Shepp!

[shepp]

hi all
the first pi c is a interior shot looking west.
working on installing the exhaust louvers.
the second pic is looking north overall view
and the third is exterior shot looking west of the east side.
with trim needing finished around door.
my only regret is not having double width doors..
i bought 21 ft long 3/4 inch schedule 40 galv pipe to make the bows.
used a greenlee portapower hydraulic pipe bender to bend the pipe. all bends were at a 45 degree angle.
each bow consists of a 21 ft length and a seven ft length.
you dont have to stick with these lengths.any size can be created .just play with a rope on a flat surface.to see how
you want yours.
for the purlins i used 1/2 inch sch 40 galv threaded on each end
and used it for the purlins. attached emt clamps (your hardware store will show you what they are) to every bow on each side
of greenhouse..these are the braces for the length and to plumb each bow.
i used 1 inch schedule 40 for splices and ground stakes .
sledge hammered in to the earth ,squared the four corners and ran 3 strings 1 each down the sides and one down the midle at the top.after i had he end bows up.
divided the length and equally spaced each bow.
drove the pipes in the ground ,leveled and plumbed each bow ,drilled each ground stake to keep it where i wanted it.
after they were all done i removed thebolt and used treated 2x6 for the base drilled the board and reinstalled the bolt.
thats enuf for now. btw i did this by myself in a week of spare time. all kinds of clamps are handy when working by oneself.
more pics to follow

[Ann B.]

Here are more pictures from Shepp as promised...

http://www.landspro.com/page2510.htm

Thanks, Shepp!

[Ann B.]

Like most of you have heard me say many times, a picture is worth a 1,000 words.

More Pictures of Shepp's greenhouse:

http://www.landspro.com/page2520.htm

Thanks, again, Shepp!

[shepp]

hi all
these are the emt clamps i mentioned in the eirlier post, these hold the purlins ,the length of the greenhouse . on each side .
they brace it long ways.
the plastic tie wraps arent cut because they are reusable type.
the power lines in the greenhouse are wired to a GFCI outlet.
for my safety and yours!

[Gene]

Shepp,This is a really nice green house and would love to have one this size.I've been talking to a grower that builds his own he got 8 greenhouse 30 by 95 long . He recomended cemmenting in the poles everyone I ask how about every other one he said no everyone because you get a lot of rain run off from the roof and eventaully makes your soil around the poles soft and then here comes a northern wind and grabs the greenhouse and yanks it out of the ground now that would tick me off.
also he suggest to pack my ground and arch it slightly with a hill in the middle running lenght ways slopping down to the sides,than put down a good grade of plastic ,next your ground cover that way when you water your plants it'll go to the outside of the green house and not stay soggy underneath your ground cover.
also to save cost use a big hose clamps to clamp your to pipe together instead of a your pipe connector.
Shepp these are just some ideals I can't say they work for me but for them its great.I hope you don't think I'm being a jerk You have a right to be proud of your green house
gene

[Jim Lang]

I'm really impressed -- this will be the model for my next one!

[sewfarsewgood]

Beautiful greenhouse. Do you think the bends could be made with a hand bender??

[shepp]

hi
i had one on hand to use but opted to use the hydraulic.
it was suggested i use it by a proffesional plumber and pipe fitter
but i didnt.the 3/4 sch 40 will work in a hand bender.BUT you either add or subtract and i dont remember which ,when making the bend. practice on thinwall conduit thats what i did .
when using the hyd bender i measured to the center of each bend
on each pipe ,aligned the mark dead center of the bender shoe
and when i got close to the correct angle , i leveled the part of the pipe that was parrallel with the floor and used a magnetic angle protractor to check my 45 degree ,then went past 45 to about 52 degrees because there is a little spring inthe pipe.
after a few of these you pay atention to how many times you pump.and then measure thrice.
it wasnt easy ,and i was darn proud when the plastic went on.
i gave ann a ph# of a place that builds dandy greenhouses
and the price is great also. i saved a little money by doing it myself but . i think the challenge of it was more rewarding.

[shepp]

hi gene
your right about loosening soil. i gotta laugh a little ,i wished it was softer when i sledgehammered the pipes in .
i have a friend he has several houses. 3 yrs ago a twister picked up his30 x96 house on one side and slammed in back down.
all but one post went back in the holes.amazing.bent one bow.
and purlin.what you say about the hump is correct you want it to drain well.
i tip i got was that if the house is also built with a twist from one corner to the other diagonal corner they are stronger.
i didnt argue with him didnt make sense but he puts them up all the time i dont.:) im glad. here is another tip; when you get a heavy snow turn off the inflation blower so the heat in the house melts it faster allowing it to slide off.
i dont have my blower installed yet.better get busy. :o

[sewfarsewgood]

What is the size of your greenhouse?? And also how high at the sides and the top. I am about 6'3" and if it is too short at the sides I have to bend over and this old bad back just can't handle it anymore.

Gary J

[shepp]

hi gary j
i cant remember ,i think around 3ft or less.it too darn cold to go out and measure it for you.
thats a nice height for me . iam 5'10" vertically challenged :cool
gary what you need is a high tunnel.

[sewfarsewgood]

Ok for sides - what is height at center, width and length. With those numbers I can draw on graph paper and see what height would be about 4 feet out from side which is about where a potting/work table would be.

Gary j

[shepp]

hi gary
i went out in the cold for you.:(
couldnt find the tape measure.
cant type cause hands are cold
the house is 16 ft widex48 long
all bends are @a 45 degree angle.
take a look at the pics of the peak.
the two angles are 12 inches apart.
so the top is almost flat. a 90 degree angle will work if you would rather do it that way. this should help on your graph paper 2nite :) be glad to give more info email me.
if i said it was another width in a previous post blame it on CRS

[Gene]

Shepp
When he said to put a twist diagonal I wonder how much he was actaully talking maybe 6 or 10 inches .It does makes sence it would hold up to winds better from the ends.
gene

[Ken]

Shepp
Great Job! Thanks for sharing the pictures and information.
Ken

[shepp]

thanks ken for the compliments.
here is a ph#for a company in wilmington deleware.
its a pipe company that manufactures greenhouse ,coldframes &
high tunnels. tell them sheppard's nursery and greenhouse
sent you . i dont get a dime from them so dont think i do.
they are a friendly bunch.they will send you info by fax or snail mail.i spoke with them today they are waiting to hear from you all.
they close at 4:30 est. 1-800 523-3500 H.Schwartz & sons
ann i told them to check out www.landspro.com also.
another thing you dont have to buy a long house they will sell a thirty ft or a 48 ft .etc.....
they dont have a wbsite for the gh's

[vicki]

Shepp,
Just wondering how much it cost you? It is a very nice greenhouse. Without the fan.

Thanks!:)

[shepp]

pipe = 313.77
treated lumber =couldnt tell you. i used 2x6 and2x4
greenhouse plastic =3yr bought at reduced clearance 60.retail98.
poly carbonate for ends =half price per square ft. another deal
exhaust fan =retail 960.oo bought new from a friend for 500.oo
new intake louvers= half price- retail 200plus
new intake opening motor=half price -retail 100.oo
stormdoor =free
fabric floor=2/3rds cost @auction retail 280.oo
various angle brackets =dont remember how many.
bolts =free
1 six pack of lite beer.lots of diet coke
thermostat new = half price
i thought i would give you what i knew now.
bend pipe under 16 hrs by myself.would have been faster with help. remember the ph # they use 1 inch and up .
i used 3/4 inch pipe for bows.

[shepp]

i only used 50 ft of fabric .
i still have a bunch of that left for next coldframe and then some
i think 300 ft per roll.

[careplus]

Hi,

I have a greenhouse too. It is a 20 x 12 hoophouse.

WOW! When I look at the pictures of Shepp's greenhouse pictures and how wonderful it is. Kind of like if I showed my Greenhouse, it would be kind of like Crocodile Dundee..."That's not a knife...this is a knife!"

Very, very nice Shepp...I'm very envious......Steve

[shepp]

hi steve
i would like to try some aqua culture in this gh sometime.
would a 300 gal watering trough be big enuf?
that size only takes up a 5x5x2.5 ft deep area.
let me know
shepp

[careplus]

Hi Shepp,

I truly love your greenhouse. "Maybe Someday!!"

I'm going to pass on your question about aquaponics. I've had very poor results with this. However, there are many who swear that it is only second to the "second coming of Christ". I guess mainly the reason is that I don't care for the taste of Tilapia: the main fish for aquaculture.

If you are seriously interested in aquaponics though, go to whatever browser that you use (I suggest Dogpile or Google) and type in "keyword" aquaculture. You want to find Paula's list. It is a very, very interactive list...& Paula is a class act lady.

It is simply that I don't want to be involved in anything like this that cost so much money to operate. (Again, there are many who would disagree with me.)

YT....Steve

[careplus]

Sorry Shepp,

Go to your browser and type in "aquaponics", not "aquaculture"...sorry 'bout that.

Steve

[shepp]

i just want to raise blue gillmaybe some georgia giants .
i tried rainbow trout.to many bones in a salmonoid for me.
raising bluegill is the info i need thought maybe i was on the right track.
shepp

[careplus]

Hi Shepp,

Man, I love your greenhouse...even my wife said MAYBE!! That is a definate positive. We make about 50/50 money, but she controls the purse strings...glad that she does. I wouldn't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of without her. I'm sure you've heard that before. God love her...I do!

As a matter of fact, we may be exactly on the same page and at the same time...go figure.

I'm phasing out my Tilapia as I said. (I have 40# that I am selling tomorrow for $1.00/lb. I'm not going to tell you what I make per hr. but this is the hardest that I have worked for $40 in a long time.) I just don't like the taste of them. Seems as if no matter how they are prepared, I just don't like them. I love walleyes, cod, catfish, bluegills and others. So, I'm not someone who dislikes fish. I'm trying Pacu now. It will be the last warmwater fish that I will try.

Now to the meat of this letter. I will be doing hybrid bluegills in the spring and that is all that I will be doing. I will be doing hybrids in my tanks and in the pond. You don't have to educate people to the taste of bluegills...they already know that.

If you want some info on these or a catalogue, contact: www.kens-fishfarm.com. He is one of my gurus and a good friend. Hell, he is a Georgia boy.

Give them a call and tell them (Ken or Stephanie) that Steve from Milwaukee told you to call. Request a catalogue. They will send you one. It is not only a catalogue, but a good reference source.

Keep in touch...........Steve

[shepp]

now thats a bluegill.
i should be fishin the coldwaters now.
with oil in the pan ready to fry.
any other secrets your keepin.:)
this is a reason for the nursery .to make money to build a lake in my hollow .and go fishin and never leave home.
and maybe someday i will have grand kids.
thanks shepp

[careplus]

Thanks Shepp,

You made me laugh. I needed that.

I haven't checked Ken's website lately. I didn't know he was showing "that" bluegill on his website, but apparently so. You are right..."NOW, THAT'S A BLUEGILL!"

Take care my friend..........Steve

[Ann B.]

Bumping for Robert...

[Ann B.]

Bumping again....

[Ann B.]

It's that time of the year.

Can you tell?