Commercial propagation greenhouse

From EcoReality

Project ID: 126

Project steward

Jan Steinman

An unimpressive trailer full of parts arrives in Mach 2011.

One of many work parties poses for the camera.

Greenhouse skinned, but not yet secured.

Starts in 125cc soil blocks on twelve of 32 units of shelving.

Project photos

Click on any small image for a larger view.

Assembly instructions for the greenhouse.	Soggy ground doesn't work for tractors, but mill slabs help.	Charles, showing off the few bits of his clothing not coated with polyurethane glue!	Yet another intrepid work party poses for the camera.
Greenhouse table design saves material and weight over a conventional "straight legged" design, while allowing improved wheelbarrow access.	The prototype greenhouse table is strong enough for Charles to nap on. Sixteen more to build!	Five adults and three children prepare make aviation history via a 4,500 sqft polyethylene kite.	Rudy helps work the wrinkles out while two teams install "wiggle wire" on the sides.
Jan and Charles, installing wiggle wire.	Abstract patterns inside the greenhouse.	Carol and Aiko install wiggle wire.	The skin is on and temporarily secured, waiting for skinning of the ends.
Salvador Dali Lama entertains a small but enthusiastic crowd at our greenhouse celebration.

Need

We need greenhouse starts, both for our own use, and for sale.

Description

With a large greenhouse (24' x 148'), we can generate tens of thousands of dollars annually in starts, as well as supplying our own vegetable starts.

This will use solar power for temperature control, and will use our own biodiesel for winter/spring heating.

Status

• 2010-09-30 project begun.
• 2011-03-12: greenhouse kit arrives from Steele Greenhouses.
• 2011-10-20: arches raised.
• 2012-03-25: skinned.
• 2012-04-11: dividers complete
• 2012-04-15: table toppers built
• 2012-04-22: doors complete, with auto closers and stay-open hooks

Goal or deliverable

A 24' x 148' greenhouse, set up for producing transplant propagation starts.

Timeline, schedule, or end date

time-related aspects of the project, which may include intermediate deadlines, dependencies, etc

Plan

Design for greenhouse tables based upon several thousand square feet of stainless steel mesh obtained from BC Auctions and painted 2"x6" lumber from the horse fence across the frontage that we salvaged when we put up deer fencing.

generally, a numbered list of tasks, performed in order, that will together accomplish the project's goals or deliverables

1. Obtain quote for greenhouse DONE
2. Siting and permits DONE
3. Construction and assembly
   1. Greenhouse:
      • layout location DONE
      • assemble and raise arches DONE
      • install purlins DONE
      • build gable ends and dividers DONE
      • skin main plastic DONE
      • skin gable ends and internal dividers DONE
      • build and install doors DONE
      • assemble roll-ups and cranks DONE
      • improved drainage DONE
      • raise floor with soil or other materials Deemed not necessary.
   2. Propagation benches:
      • Cut list for each two-layer bench:
        • top: 108"x42" pre-made panel made of rolled expanded stainless steel and 1.5" lumber.
        • pedestal columns: 2 each 2"x6", 29" long.
        • pedestal bases: 2 each 2"x6", 35.2" long, 45° at ends, alternate.
        • end braces: 4 each 2"x3", 48.8" long, 45° at ends.
          • chop 2"x6" first, then rip to yield two braces
        • centre brace: 2"x3", 64.0" long, 30° & 60° at ends, alternate.
        • centre brace: 2"x3", 62.2" long, 30° & 60° at ends, alternate.
          • Make four braces from a single 2"x6" of at least 135" long:
            1. chop end to 60°
            2. chop alternate 30° at 68.7" on long side
            3. chop final alternate 60° cut at 68.7 on long side
            4. rip both pieces to yield the 62.2" braces, the shorter of the two
            5. chop the longer of the two halves (at 30° or 60° end) at 64.0"
        • bottom tension strut: 102" x 1.5" x 1.5", ripped from 2"x6"
        • long dimension centre mesh support: 4 each ~46.5" 2"x3" Due to irregularities in short dimension supports, each must be measured and cut individually.
        • top supports: 4 each 17.5" 2"x6", ripped in half at 45°, joined to make an "L" shape.
        • 2"x3" lumber is actually 2"x6" lumber ripped in half.
4. Finishing, wiring, irrigation, heating, etc.
   1. Heat
      1. locate and plumb biodiesel boiler for producing hot water for seedling heat.
      2. obtain PEX and valves so we can have each table on a separate heat zone.
   2. Bring semi-permanent electric power in, at least #10/3
   3. Irrigation
      1. tap into field irrigation system at the NE corner, where we luckily hit a main and thus have it located
      2. plumb 1" mainline along the long dimension

Financial budget

how much money will be needed, possibly high-low bracketed and detailed, or a complete guess (try to indicate how firm a guess it is!)

Cash outlay

$8,200 for the basic greenhouse.

$500 for DC temperature control system

$200 for two deep-cycle batteries

$200 for irrigation components

$900 permits and administration

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$10,000 total budget

Class B shares

1,000 shares to Jan Steinman for 4,400 kWh (250,000 BTU) biodiesel-fired heater.

200 shares to Jan Steinman for used 40 watt solar panels

2,100 shares to Jan Steinman for 200 hours of capital labour, including planning, design, construction, and engineering

1,050 shares to others for capital labour construction

4,350 Class B Investment Shares issued

Labor budget

how many people are needed for how long, including specific people or specific skill-sets

• 20 hours planning
• 20 hours design
• 170 hours construction

Time Log

Vehicle Log

Summary

total

by person

by activity

by vehicle

"Vehicles" with no odometer, such as tractors or stationary equipment, are in tenths of an hour, rather than kilometres.

Final accounting