SKR8PN
Thanks for reading my thread in the money-finance forum. Of all the green house projects I liked this one the best. I like seeing the various stages you are going through. It's given me some ideas on how I would go about doing something simlar. For reference sake I hope you don't mind I ask a few questions?
I noticed from one picture, the angle of the shadows from the trees, is this facing south? What made you decide to build beds rather then pouring a floor? You're last picture you were still waiting on glass. What progress have you made from there? How do you plan on venting heat and humidity during the hieght of summer? What about shading?
For not having a plan, or having a plan that's just in your head, you are certainly doing an excellent job!!!
Some changes I would have made though...(not that you did anything wrong you personalized this for your growing style)
I would have started with a pouring a slab foundation for the green house. This would serve to get the wood framing up off the ground and prevent rot and or termites. Of course once the structure is enclosed, but before it was finnished I would also be laying down electric in floor heating. Of course you're attemting to do this without requiring using power, that's a big different between our styles.
Another thing I would personally do different, would be to elminate the sliding doors. There's going to be some heat loss in this area. Instead I would have enclosed those area's and cut in access from the garage, right where the window is. The garage, even if not heated would act as a buffer zone in the dead of winter. Especially if you've insulated the walls in the garage.
Framing, wise. To handle potential snow loads we can get in the midwest, I would go with 2x6's for roof and really lay in the insulation! I'd also put in a knee wall on the southern most side. Since you're growing in beds, I can see why you went all the way down to ground level. I'm planning on using benches and large pots for tropicals.
I really want to hear how those jugs work out for you as a thermal mass. I was concidering first removing the siding from the garage the green house is attached too. Then covring studs with plywood, so I could then build a cinder block wall in front. Of course this would be conciderably more expensive then the route you went so I can't wait to hear what results you see.
Anyways, those are some things I would do for my own style. Please do post more pictures though! I can't wait to see what you got growin in there come this winter! I'll be so jealous!
The jugs have interlocking tabs that tie them together somewhat, and they interlock together pretty well. I just did the cable thing as a safety feature, just in case they would happen to come loose and try fall down.
My wife has worked me like a DOG for past two days. GAWD I'll be glad when she goes back to work! 
