Red-built greenhouse

Smart Red

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In an effort to put my new tools to good use, I am attempting to make a 'blue collar" greenhouse in the garden. I have raised beds and want to cover two beds with one plastic sheeting structure so I can get working in the garden earlier. This weekend we saw temps into the upper 50s and low 60s. Ideal temps for working outside.

I started with some 16 x 4 foot cattle panels I had asked for several years ago. I finally bought them myself the first day this year that I had access to MY truck.

One panel was too short to cover the two beds.
greenhouse one panel  too small.JPG
I added half of another panel, but that was too high and would have been a waste of wood and plastic.
greenhouse 1 1:2 panels too big.JPG
So, using my trusty new saws-all, I cut half of a cattle panel in half once again. Now the canopy is just right.
greenhouse 1 1:4 panels just right.JPG
I took the truck once again while DS was working in the shop and went to the lumber yard to get the needed lumber. Then I put the skill saw to work cutting the support boards and doorway. Because I want to be able to take the structure down, I drilled started holes and then used the screwdriver bit to connect the boards. Both of my new drills got a short workout. Notice the bottom of each "doorway" is made of treated wood.
greenhouse supports.JPG
Then came the snow. We are having a near blizzard right now so work is put off until warmer weather this coming weekend. I still want to reinforce the sides and back support against heavy winds, but the worst of winds this time of year have been from the South and Southwest where buildings should temper their force.

Ah ha! The photo problems that are affecting TEG have gone! Thank you, @Nifty!
 
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journey11

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Way to git 'er done! :thumbsup The snow won't hang around long, I'm sure.

I wouldn't have thought to cut a cattle panel with a saws-all. Do you need a special blade for metal or did it just work? Yes, we must see pics!
 

Smart Red

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Yes, there are special metal saw-blades. Went through the panel wires like butter. (Of course the butter was hard from the refrigerator). It really wasn't difficult at all.

So much faster than a hack-saw. I'd probably still be sawing with one of those, and I don't have the strength to wield a pair of wire cutters big enough for the job.
 

Smart Red

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Snow storm is over and the sun -- beautiful, glorious old sol -- is shining bright. Where the drive has been shoveled after the latest storm, the sun is melting anything that's left.

I went out to help DH shovel to find that he shoveled a path up the right side of the driveway and down the left removing nothing in between. Up and down, up and down the same two paths on a driveway that is too wide for them to work as tire tracks.

I shoveled for a while and got half of the driveway cleared. Of course, I had to shovel over one of DH's perfect paths to get the snow out of the middle. I had heard the snow was supposed to be "light and fluffy", but I suspect it would be great for building snow-people instead.

The thought occurred to me that I could probably have started a snowball and cleared as much of the driveway as DH with his shovel. Sigh! I suppose, in Pollyanna's world, doing a strange job of shoveling is much better than burning food in the kitchen. So things could surely be worse.

I think it's about time to go back outside and finish shoveling so DH and I can get out for supper and have the driveway completely clean and dry. Heavy stuff, that.
 

ninnymary

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I can't wait to see what you are doing. I'm one of those visual persons that needs pictures to visualize it. I think they are going to look so good and work out so well when you finish them. I love to see step by step projects that everyone on TEG does.

Mary
 

Smart Red

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Whew! All done and nearly bare. I'm tired. The snow beside the wood shed was much deeper and heavier. At least, it is getting easier to do the work. No more fun, but easier.
 

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