Building a Harbor Freight Greenhouse 6x8 review, tips, tricks, finished look. Big thank you to Blake Kirby and Grow Your Heirlooms. Couldn't have done it without them!
Some great ideas you mentioned here. We are getting a greenhouse soon and will need to reinforce to battle the 70-80mph gusts we in the UK get through the winter months. Congrats on your greenhouse and thank you for your ideas. Great video.
Mike, I am 71 and was previously a Custom Home Builder on the Central Coast of California, and this kit should have been a snap for me, but the instructions were very difficult to follow, to say the least. I was happy to find your video, it cleared up everything so Thank You. I see you used the clips, but when I tried them out they seemed to warp the panels, so instead I pre-drilled holes and used 1/2" to 3/4" sheet metal screws, with neoprene washers, approx. 18" on center, on the roof, wall, and door panels. Made it super rigid, and far better than those clips they supply. Also I built it on a concrete slab, and because I noticed how short it was, and I am 5'11", I laid 4 treated 2"x12"s like this [] so that the door and roof would be 12" higher, it's great now that it's done, I never hit my head walking in and out. When I went back to Harbor Freight to get the automatic opener for the roof panel, they looked at me like I was insane, so it appears you got the last one.
Congratulations on the new greenhouse! Thanks for the mention :) I love that my build video helps so many people get these little greenhouses put up. Good luck with your garden and homestead!
Thanks for mentioning Blake Kirby because I immediately went to his site to see how easy this would be (as a 72 y/o woman) to put this together if I buy the kit this week. Enjoy yours as I will mine!
Je possède une serre semblable au Québec. Je la possède depuis 25 ans! Je n’ai rien modifié au niveau de la structure comme telle. Mais oui, les panneaux ont jaunis donc, nous les avons changés en utilisant les attaches de métal et beaucoup de silicone! Elle est bien ancrée et n’a jamais souffert du vent et de la neige. Le seul hic c’est la porte coulissante. J’ai changé 3 fois la quincaillerie. Peut-être que ma porte est trop basse et que la glace et la neige n’aident en rien. La quincaillerie pour la partie coulissante est quand même dispendieuse. Bon jardinage, c’est un réel plaisir d’utiliser une petite serre. C’est le bonheur!
thank you so much for this video. the instructions for this project were not very good so we turned to RU-vid and we watched the video the hole way through building the greenhouse. thank you again.
I am so happy to have found you guys on youtube. Hubby bought me the 6x8 size. Now we get to put it together. Here in the south west i have a very short growing season before it gets hot (110+). And in the fall it's short before it gets too cold. I'm hoping the greenhouse will give me one continous longer growing season over the winter to grow the things i would like. Thanks again for putting these tutorials out.
Thank You Blake for taking the time to do the video. I bought one for my wife. I put down Oak Railroad ties and filled the center with Pea Gravel. I am going to use 2 by 6 To mount on the ties and it is level. I appreciate you tips on reinforcing the panels for wind.
I have a similar greenhouse. You need to fill those gaps with caulking. Use the door and window type that will flex. Recommend to also use greenhouse tape to reinforce the panels. That vent will especially need to be reinforced.
Tip for purchasers: If you're buying "4X4 treated lumber" for the base, per the instructions, you'll have to adjust the dimensions in the instructions accordingly. The instructions show that the 4X4s are 4 inches on a side. This is the nominal dimension, but the actual measurement is 3.5 inches, so you'll need to add an inch for each of the "inside" 4X4s.
I installed the 4x4's on on the inside corners and cemented them in the ground. Then bolted the corner supports to them. The posts are also used to support the benches. Double duty that way.
Nice Job on the build. I agree with all of the mods you did. I think for what it is it should last long enough. I think you will help save some frustrated irate HF greenhouse buyers in the future. Everyone appreciates a good share like yours.
Forget the horrible instructions. I used your video and Blake Kirby's to install my Greenhouse this weekend. It came out perfect. Nice improvement suggestions also.
That's great to hear! Mines been doing great! All my starts did great and everything's planted now! In the fall I'll bring some of my potted plants in to extend the season..... Happy Gardening!
mike k certainly not a perfect kit, But....the price is right if you can tinker and make slight modifications! Mine is still holding strong and I'm really glad I purchased it still!
HI :-D I am new to your channel today, , , liked and subscribed. I stumbled onto your channel as a result of it being suggested by YT. I stayed and listened to the whole video because I really liked the way you went into detail. Then I heard you mention *Daddy Kirbs* and I had just subbed to his channel as couple days ago, as a result of Melanie from *Road To The Farm* and Esther Emery from *Fouch-O-Matic*. I have been looking for a greenhouse that was inexpensive and easy to build, since I am in my *elder years*. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. :-D
Kathleen Zimmerman Welcome! and thank you! I still think this greenhouse is very worth the small investment! now I don't have to keep all my starts under lights and in the house and garage....Makes my wife much happier!☺
Thank you :) And, you're welcome :) I am happy for you that you have a place to go with your starts & you can put more money into growing healthy plants opposed to giving it to your local electric company. LOL I'm also happy for your wife, as I'm sure she will appreciate that as well as the added space in her home. LOL I'm looking forward to catching up on your videos, and seeing how you set things up in your new cool greenhouse.
I got two of Harbor House Green houses. the 6 .3 x 6 foot. Normally cost $99.00 They was on sale for two for the price of one.. I put them both dmy house and fence. use one for green house use the other one to for the lawnmower and other farm equipment. The bigger ones was just too expensive
I'm a new subscriber from Sand Hollow Homestead in Idaho. I was wondering how the green house was doing after 4 years of wind and rain? I just bought a used 10 x 12 to disassemble and reassemble. Wish me luck! I will modify the green house to help it out because we can get 50 mph winds here on the hill. Thanks for sharing!
I got sent the wrong door frame for my Eden greenhouse. I was frozen the past couple of days. They sending me correct size for Friday. So I'm hoping it doesn't rain. Lost my old one last year in the storms.
Fu Updaass I sold it on Facebook Market sight. It was still in good condition. I had replaced most of the panels with plexiglass. My 12x10 has a problem with the doors. Our wends here take the doors off every time, I’m going to replace them with wood doors🙄
@@marshabalderrama8903 ok thanks that's a good place to look i just don't use fb.plexiglass is pricey i would think to replace the panels.can you turn yours so the wind doesn't hit the doors or use a weather strip to block the wind?i see a guy use pieces of foam stuffed in between the panels and channel to stop the wind from blowing them out.anyway thanks for the reply nice pic also stay classy
Thank you for the video- helped us to see it. Did you ever cover your floor with anything? (Wondering if weeds come up) We are now figuring out what to do with the floor
...just check the entire inventory of the box before you leave the store... we are on our second one with many parts missing...oh sure they'll send 'em to you, if you can wait 6 to 8 weeks in gardening season.!..
I'm curious why your roof panels come down so far? I just assembled this over the weekend and the slip right in perfectly into the lip at the crown and the gutters.
When you put the roofing screws through the panels and aluminum frame did you pre-drill before setting it up or after (what size are those roofing screws you used)? I just bought this same greenhouse on harbor freights sidewalk sale weekend. I am also in the PNW in southwest Washington. Think i will do the peer blocks too as it will give me a bit more height and we don't have great drainage like you (lots of clay). Thanks for the great video and for referencing Blake Kirby's. How's yours holding up? We get pretty windy here to.
Ripx510 Hi, I didn't pre drill the holes. the screws I used are self tapping with a washer and rubber gasket. I went with everbilt brand and the size was #12x1in. got them at home depot. their called self drilling roofing screws. The greenhouse has held up perfect! good luck with your project!
Thanks for the quick reply raekmike! I am taking work off Thursday to start my assembly and i will be putting your tips and tricks to work. Thanks for taking the time to produce this video and answer questions.
I want one of these but I'm concerned about the heat. I'm in So Cal it was 106 yesterday how hot would it get in there and what's the most efficient way to keep it cool?
After three years, how's it holding up? My panels have become brittle and cracked. Had two blow out when they cracked in half. I'm thinking of using the polycarbonate sheet panels over the top of the frame. Will need to add to the frame to support the new panels. Should be cheaper than buying replace panels that are uv rated.
Question about the roof panels screwing them over the rim...mine has holes, so I tucked it inside, Were the clips enough to hold the panels? Some of mine have blown off so far.
Looks good, considering it was made in China! Of course we are all familiar with that, but if only they could translate and make the instructions readable (been there).
So I don't have to go through that same issue with the foundation, what is the correct outside dimension for the wood frame so the lip hangs over just right?
Howie Matthews my particular kit was perfect dimensions front to back, however side to side dimensions on the instructions were 1/4 inch wider than they should have been. from what I have read online the kits may vary a little. my best advise would be to put the base frame kit together and get your exact measurement before finishing your foundation your securing it too. that is the only way to 100% guarantee "yours" will fit properly. Good Luck! I have had no issues so far with mine and am very happy so far still with my greenhouse!
hey if you have any problems you may want to google EARTH ANCHORS ! they have a way to hold the project down pretty effective and way less labor intensive. also all your gaps may do better with automotive double face tape found at autobody paint stores. also will help seal . one last thing is for the automatic door flap you may want to install a spring for the return to shut tight . how has it been holding up ?
Did I hear you right? When securing the upper panels, you pre-drilled the holes (before) putting in the SELF-TAPPING screws!!!!!! Good tip, however, but I thought that part was rather redundant and not necessary. Otherwise, thanks for your video.
Not necessary? Try driving a self-tapping screw through a plastic panel like that WITHOUT a pre-drilled clearance hole, and look and listen for the CRAAAAAAACK! LOL.
@@highpwr.....Reakmike's reply to Ripx510 "Hi, I didn't pre drill the holes. the screws I used are self tapping with a washer and rubber gasket. I went with everbilt brand and the size was #12x1in. got them at home depot. their called self drilling roofing screws"... So,,,, you might want to tork down on the highpwr and reference the bull in the china shop greenhouse effect and get off the craaaack. LOL Remember when grasshopper walked over the rice paper without leaving a trail? I too added tek screws to both the upper and lower roof panels. However, I did NOT allow them to overlap the lower lip into the gutter. (I put them into the frame as they are meant to be). The thickness of the panel matches the lower lip. I did, just for fux sake, apply a thin bead of sily-cone........................
Keith Silva The shelves are from a wholesale store that sells flower bulbs. When they sell thru them these are just recycled or thrown out so they let people have them. They can usually be found at any big box store that sells things merchandised on Pallets in large qty.
