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Ready to launch.
IGCadmin 11/10/2008

Well it's finally here!  We've officially launched the new 4greenhouses website, meaning the new homepage is complete, the blog is (obviously) complete, and the support forum is complete. While it feels good to have all this work done, in reality the work has just begun.  There are going to be some pretty dramatic changes around the 4greenhouses domain. 

We're currently working on producing a video how-to showing how to install a heater, which we're sure will be a big hit.  It's going to be the first of many videos, some very helpful and probably more than a few will be downright silly (I have a great idea for building a hammock that I can't wait to tryout this spring).  We also want to go step-by-step through the construction of each of our hobby greenhouses to snap pictures and record video all in an effort to make them easier...

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Website Information
4greenhouses, blog, forum, website launch
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Grr...I hate this stupid heater.
IGCadmin 11/7/2008

Rest assured, there isn't actually any heater bigotry here.  But, we are well aware that with the encroachment of the dreaded heater season (a.k.a. winter) that many of you are purchasing heaters for your greenhouses or garages. 

If you haven't sized your space for a heater yet, try our greenhouse heater calculator and/or our garage and non-greenhouse heater calculator to figure out the size you need.

There is nothing more frustrating than finally installing a nice heater in your garage and expecting a nice toasty workspace, only to find out that the ignitor on your heater cycles endlessly without ever accomplishing that reassuring "whoosh" of ignition.  Worse still is when you fire up the heater and hear absolutely nothing. Grr.

Or perhaps you've moved all you're...

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Heating Solutions, Equipment, Troubleshooting
garage heater, heater sizing, repair, troubleshooting
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Greenhouse covering comparison chart.
IGCadmin 11/5/2008

This is probably one of the handiest things to have around on the entire interweb. Well...maybe not. But it will, at a glance, show you the pros and cons of just about every greenhouse covering and glazing option.




Greenhouse Coverings Comparison
...
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Coverings, Greenhouse Film, Hobby Greenhouses, Polycarbonate Panels, Solexx Panels
glazing, insulation value, light transmission, r-value, u-value
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Cover up already!
IGCadmin 11/5/2008
4 year, 6mil, standard greenhouse film.

A lot of people ask what the best covering is for a greenhouse.  Here is a brief comparison of the three major types of coverings.  Also check out our Coverings Comparison Chart for more details.

  • Polyethylene Film - At a cost of 10-12¢ per square foot, this option requires the smallest up-front investment and is usually the covering included with some of the least expensive hobby greenhouse options. The principal advantage of a polyhouse is that it is significantly less expensive than other coverings.
  • The disadvantage of a polyhouse is reduced light conditions in winter and increased humidity compared to a glasshouse. They are prone to heat loss as well, since one layer of poly film has a very low insulating value. Also, a higher level of ongoing maintenance can offset the economy of...
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Cold Frames, Greenhouse Film, Hobby Greenhouses, Polycarbonate Panels, Solexx Panels
glass, glazing, polyethylene film
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Seriously!?!
IGCadmin 11/4/2008
I would not want to be on the business end of a semi in this thing.

If we're all expected to ride around in things like this, in the name of saving the planet and whatnot, I think I'll just walk...or carpool...ride my bike...anything but strap myself into this thing.  Hitting a grasshopper at full speed in this thing becomes a major collision.

Seriously though, it is pretty cool that the thing runs on compressed air.  As long as they can figure out the logistics of making that work, I've heard there is an unlimited deposit of hot air located somewhere near the Washington, D.C. area. Also check out this car.  It runs on diesel and is much better looking.  Also it is less deathtrap-y.

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Goin' Green
green cars
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Aesthetics and frame material considerations
IGCadmin 11/3/2008

In addition to total square footage, the other major cost impact is found in the materials that are included with your greenhouse. Deciding which options are a necessary for your application can be a daunting task. To make things easier, we have broken down options into the following categories:

1. Styles - There are two main greenhouse styles. In hobby or backyard sized greenhouses, the difference between the two styles are mostly aesthetic:

  • Straight Eave or Gable Style. This where the "eave," or the point where the roof meets the sidewalls, forms an angle. It can be called a more "traditional" style, and is one which most people are familiar with.
  • Curved or Rounded Eave. This is where the roof of the greenhouse curves at the eaves. These have been described as a more "modern" style. In addition to curved eaves, sometimes the roof itself is on a radius which can allow for more headroom.

2. Frame - the frames of modern hobby...

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Frame Style and Material, Hobby Greenhouses
architecture, frame material, style
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Final list of questions before buying and building.
IGCadmin 10/31/2008

1.  Outline Greenhouse Configuration and Use

  • What type of foundation do you plan on using?
  • Plan for future growth so that you can grow into your greenhouse; not outgrow your greenhouse.
  • What will be grown?
  • Will plants be grown for personal use or resale?
  • Will your greenhouse be used year round?
  • Keep in mind the need for and location of any utility "stub ups" or "stub ins."
  • Draw basic and simple pictures of your house floor plan and ideas you currently have. However, remember to be open to your suppliers, as they may come up with options you had not thought of that serve the same purpose for much less money.

2.  Take Your Local Environment into Account

  • How warm do you need to keep your greenhouse in the winter?
  • How cool do you need to keep your greenhouse in the summer?
  • Does the proposed location provide adequate exposure to the...
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Location and Other Considerations, Construction, Hobby Greenhouses
construction, foundation, utilities
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First frost of 2008
IGCadmin 10/28/2008
We found a light dusting of frost this morning.

As if we needed anymore affirmation that winter was in fact on its way, we got it this morning in the form of the first frost of the season. Average frost date according to weather.gov for our area is Oct. 11th It was a light frost, but it was definitely there.  Rumor has it there was even a snow flake or two that fell from the heavens yesterday afternoon.

So if you haven't got your protection plan in place for your precious plants, you should probably look into a hobby greenhouse and maybe a heater.

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Winterize
first frost, heaters, hobby greenhouse
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How 'bout a picture?
IGCadmin 10/27/2008
A wonderful picture showing how extravagant your hobby greenhouse can be!

I was noticing that we need a picture or two up here, so here's a nice looking greenhouse for us all to be jealous of!

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Structures
random
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Where are you putting that greenhouse?
IGCadmin 10/27/2008

It’s best to find a solution that will best suit your greenhouses’s desired purpose. Will you be starting and propagating vegetables or cuttings? Then a simple and inexpensive solution may be best for you. Will you be growing and maintaining delicate tropical plants, like orchids, for display? Then a more complex, permanent structure designed for the needs of these plants might be best. Would you like to grow vegetables or flowers in your greenhouse year round? Then you want a structure that can perform well in cold weather. Do you want your greenhouse to be a part of your home, or do you want a stand-alone structure? Take some time to think about the specific use of your greenhouse before you dive in. If you form a clear idea of what you want beforehand, it will be less confusing once you start to sort through the different structure options.

1. Choosing a Location

  • In order for a greenhouse to work as intended, it needs...
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Location and Other Considerations, Hobby Greenhouses
backyard greenhouse, greenhouse location, hobby greenhouse, residential greenhouse
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