Cattle panel greenhouse

baymule

Sustainability Master
Joined
Nov 13, 2010
Messages
10,920
Reaction score
19,540
Points
413
Location
East Texas
Diagram? What I think you're saying is three 1x4's the length of the greenhouse, tied in by a framework on either end and wired to the cattle panels.
Yup. If you can’t attach the verticals to the bottom frame, then sink posts in the ground on the inside to fasten the horizontals to.
 

LaurenRitz

Almost Self-Reliant
Joined
Apr 19, 2024
Messages
145
Reaction score
544
Points
105
Location
Kansas
I did a temporary fix on the west end, but completed the east end and the doors. Even facing the house, the wind is still fierce enough to throw the doors open. I have temporary latches on until I can figure out a reasonable solution. In hindsight I should have hung the doors so they opened out, in spite of the space constraints (the east end faces the house and has about three feet between the greenhouse and the house wall).

For the floor I used layers of an old trashed tarp, covered with cardboard. The base is sealed along the edges and I put in a few water bottles today for thermal mass.

Still not well sealed, but at least keeping the frost off the plants. More sealing to come after I fix a couple more structural problems.

Without being sealed, before any thermal mass and before the floor going down, it was running with the outside temperature but not as wet.
20241119_163321.jpg
20241119_163256.jpg
 

LaurenRitz

Almost Self-Reliant
Joined
Apr 19, 2024
Messages
145
Reaction score
544
Points
105
Location
Kansas
I am completely confused at this point. Taking into consideration that the cattle panel greenhouse is not well sealed (to say the least) it seems to have gotten colder. The inside temperature at night is always 5 degrees below the outside. This morning it was 20 inside and 25 outside.

I'll be doing some more sealing today, but I need to figure this out or it won't even be useful for season extension.
 

Hinotori

Sustainability Master
Joined
Nov 2, 2011
Messages
5,811
Reaction score
12,818
Points
373
Location
On the foot of Mt Rainier
That's weird. is the thermometer working properly first. I ask because even the awning here makes a temp difference. The silkie pens are noticeable temp difference walking in and they are not tarped tight because of airflow needed.
 

LaurenRitz

Almost Self-Reliant
Joined
Apr 19, 2024
Messages
145
Reaction score
544
Points
105
Location
Kansas
I have 2 thermometers, one inside and one outside. They are identical, purchased at the same time, and when I switch them I get the same result.

My old greenhouse at my former property had a distinct temperature difference after just a few panels were put on.

There are some very obvious differences between the two and I didn't expect to get nearly as large a temperature difference on this one. I was hoping for 2 or 3 degrees until I could get it sealed.
 

CrealCritter

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
11,249
Reaction score
22,188
Points
387
Location
Zone 6B or 7 can't decide
I am completely confused at this point. Taking into consideration that the cattle panel greenhouse is not well sealed (to say the least) it seems to have gotten colder. The inside temperature at night is always 5 degrees below the outside. This morning it was 20 inside and 25 outside.

I'll be doing some more sealing today, but I need to figure this out or it won't even be useful for season extension.
Did you insulate the floor?

Jesus is Lord and Christ ✝️
 

LaurenRitz

Almost Self-Reliant
Joined
Apr 19, 2024
Messages
145
Reaction score
544
Points
105
Location
Kansas
Did you insulate the floor?

Jesus is Lord and Christ ✝️
In a sense. I put down many layers of an old tarp, and cardboard over the top. So the base is sealed, but not technically insulated. Bottom edges have been spray foamed.

There's one major gap on the house end that I need help to fix, and then I can spray foam the rest of the edges.
 

LaurenRitz

Almost Self-Reliant
Joined
Apr 19, 2024
Messages
145
Reaction score
544
Points
105
Location
Kansas
I put up sheets last night to temporarily block the largest gaps. This morning the temperature inside is 10 degrees higher than outside so I guess I have my culprit.

Possibly wih the constant wind the gaps take out all the warm air to the lowest ambient point, and once it's down the cold air stays?
 

Hinotori

Sustainability Master
Joined
Nov 2, 2011
Messages
5,811
Reaction score
12,818
Points
373
Location
On the foot of Mt Rainier
I put up sheets last night to temporarily block the largest gaps. This morning the temperature inside is 10 degrees higher than outside so I guess I have my culprit.

Possibly wih the constant wind the gaps take out all the warm air to the lowest ambient point, and once it's down the cold air stays?

Sounds about right then
 
Top