Building a Planta Greenhouse | The Foundation (Part 1) 

I really appreciate this advice. I will do it! I thought it might be a knot in the wood I couldn't see and didn't want to force it in. The soap is brilliant. Many thanks.

Thank you for your kind words. It is an adventure. Stay open-minded. It is a decision I have not regretted one day. Have a great week.

Happy for you guys. You will not regret the purchase. It is a game changer.

Many thanks. Video later this week - I have the framework up!

Great idea. Wish I would have thought of that at the time. Thanks for the feedback. Have a great week.

Interesting suggestions - Did you use these screws and washers on the foundation you built? Thank you for the feedback. How old is the greenhouse you have?

@@StewartFarmApiary I have a potting shed and I am just getting ready to build a new foundation for another garden shed, so I have been watching hundreds of videos on this. The professional contractors are all recommending these types of screws with washers: TimberLOK by FastenMaster Black Ecoat Hex-Head Exterior Structural Wood Screws. They predrill to get the screw started and it goes in easy. NONE of the videos I watched about building a base have ever considered the rat wall when in the initial stages. It's always an afterthought once an animal has done all the damage. It's a lot easier to build a rat wall at beginning then after your building is contructed.

@@HYTELES Ah. I understand. Thanks for the feedback. Have a great week.

Best of luck with your journey!!

Great question. I’m a Virginian living in Alabama so always good to hear from someone in the commonwealth. I did not attach the greenhouse to the ground. The Planta frame is strong and when it gets all locked together you will be amazed how tight the structure is. The greenhouse will be ripped off the wood before the wood moves. It’s heavy. We have had some strong winds ( up to 50mph ) since I built it and no problems at all. Reach out if you have any questions when you get started. I’ll be glad to help. Thanks again for the question.

Thanks. Gravel will do you well. I am currently looking at putting pea gravel over my foundation gravel for a smoother look. Thanks for the feedback

Thank you for the reply and kind words. I think you would be okay with how I did it with the exception of maybe burying the water line deeper. I am working to build dirt up and around the greenhouse base for extra insulation. Not a lot, but definitely up to the wood to cover all of the crushed stone. I also put a suffice amount of pea gravel on the inside. Hardware store sounds to me to be trying to sell you more materials. GLUE?? Interesting. Thank you again for the question.

Thanks

I called and spoke to them when I did it. It’s only 1.5 inches difference and the frames allow for a little give. Mine was perfect and I have zero issues. It was also so much easier to leave at 10’ instead of having to cut a massive 6x6 and keep it exact. If you are worried then I suggest you go off of what they say but I don’t have any issues. Thanks for the question. I hope my answer helps.

@StewartFarmApiary thank you so much for your quick reply! I am relieved that I don't have to shave 1.5" off these 6x6's!!

@@paulstuart5077 Glad to help. I have a few more videos on building the structure that may help too. Be sure to check them out on my page. Have a great week.

This is holding up so far - is that how you built the foundation for your greenhouse?

Yes. It will probably hold because it is over-engineered. But for additional structural strength, the offset is a good idea.@@StewartFarmApiary

Happy to hear the video is helpful. They are 12” brackets that are bent, so 6” on each side of bend. I used a heavy grade 2” bolt to screw in. Nothing complicated - I knew I wanted 2” minimal and when I got the brackets I just went to the bolt department and found ones that don’t the holes firmly. Tractor Supply Company or Lowe’s will have them. I got mine at Tractor Supply. I did not use plates to bind them together. I just offset them on the 2x6 and screwed in with 3” deck screws ( lots of them) on the 2x6 side. Once they are all screwed in it is very secure.

@@StewartFarmApiary i don't know where i got the plates idea from, must be another video. thank you, i hope you don't mind answering questions months after making your video

@@zakkrueck2362 Not at all - that is how we all learn from each other. I'll always answer any questions I can.

Did you secure the timber frame to the ground? I see that rebar is recommended

@@PhloemFlowerFarm actually i myself buried my greenhouse 18"s underground. i live in wisconsin and it will help to extend my growing season

Great questions. A lot depends on your soil. I used the crush and run because it sets up almost like concrete once it’s packed down. I wanted a solid base for the 6x6. The 2x6 have a main purpose of holding the 6x6 together and not allowing the seams for bend where they join. As the wood gets wet and then dries it tends to warp a little and this ensures minimal warping. My main concern if not using the crush and run is the greenhouse “ settling” and then you will have issues. The height is nice also. This spring I am growing indeterminate tomatoes and I will string them up with little worry of the height. Watch later this week - I will be releasing a video on the unexpected costs of a greenhouse. I am sure you will find very helpful of you are looking to buy one. Thanks again for the question.

@@StewartFarmApiary thanks for your reply. I look forward to seeing your next video.

Thank you for the question - I did exactly 10 feet. When working with boards as big as 6 x 6 I cannot stress with the exact 1/8th of an inch to be perfect. That extra was distributed evenly on both sides and made a small "lip" at the bottom that allowed the polycarbonite to have a small amount of bend. Im sure you are a better carpenter than me and if you are, I suggest cutting exactly as they say. I just didn't have the skills to do it. I hope this helps. You will love the greenhouse.

@@StewartFarmApiary Thank you got the reply and will try to remember to let you know how I did. You’re right about extra costs which, after the unit, is for the foundation. Tomorrow, I’m ready to lay the 6x6

Great question. I built exactly to instructions. Didn’t add anything. Here is a major suggestion. Make sure all your 6x6 have perfect corners on the top side. If not then there will be a gap when the polycarbonate over laps the wood. It’s not a huge deal but I wish I would have known. I just pushed some foam rubber down into the gap and it is fine. Good luck. I’ll be doing a video in the near future on what I would change after the one year mark.

Is your greenhouse a Planta? The measurements for mine is ten feet wide.

Yes, it is a planta. When I called them, their tech said the width in fraction was 9'10 1/4". Today, I decided to pick up a 7.5m (25') tape measure. 300cm = 118 1/8".

I will say the idea of using the 2x6's is a good one. I'll be using the same. Thx for the info.

@@pawpawchronicles-n-morewit1210 Yes - which when I measured out is basically 10' wide.

@@pawpawchronicles-n-morewit1210 Yes.

Great idea. Next time I will for sure. Thanks for the suggestion. I hope you have a great week

Just on top but tapped down and packed.

I did - pressure treated wood today is not used with the same chemicals as years ago. I have checked with two u universities with outstanding horticultural programs that have told me this. I hope this helps

What was your exact measurements? We are getting a 20 foot long, but the width should still be the same.

@@knagjak If you are building a Planta greenhouse then it should be 10" if it is the same model as mine. I hope this helps. Mine is a 26' x 10'