A Greenhouse in the Time of Coronavirus

We discuss the virus (of course) but then we get to a brighter subject: building a greenhouse on our land!

Greetings, friends. Hope you’re staying safe and remaining indoors. Vince and I recorded this episode only one week ago, which now feels like approximately 5 years.

We do discuss the virus for a few minutes—after all, this kind of public crisis is the exact reason that some people build an off-the-grid homestead. But is that why we did it? Is this our bug-out spot? Or is it a community space? And if shit really hits the fan, does that change? There are no easy answers; it’s an ongoing conversation.

But then we move onto a brighter topic: building a greenhouse! Earlier this month, we built… oh, let’s say 75% of a greenhouse. There were trials and tribulations at every ding-dang step along the way, but we persevered!

WHAT WE BUILT:

The Grandio Ascent Greenhouse (8'2" W x 16' L x 7'9" H)

Choose a building site that maximizes winter sun and minimizes summer sun

Level your pad, remove all organic material (usually digging a few inches down will do), and don’t forget to add drainage trenches on either side

Dig holes for your bolts and pour concrete footers

Lay down overlapping lengths of hardware cloth (vinyl-coated, 16-gauge, half-inch) to protect your greenhouse from rodents

Then just, you know, construct a 2000-piece kit like you’ve shopped at the devil’s own IKEA

WHAT WE LEARNED:

Debit cards have daily purchase limits (yeah, yeah, I should’ve known that, but I don’t buy $3000 things every day!)

Don’t use slate rocks to prop up a pie tin inside of a cast-iron. The moisture between the layers of slate will explode once heated over the fire and will get dirt in your pie.

Triple-check your boxes of parts when you pick them up to make sure you have every box. If they’re labelled “1 of 5,” “2 of 5,” etc, don’t just count 5 boxes. Check that you have every box.

If your greenhouse kit says it can be assembled by 2 people in 1 day, assume that is a complete lie. Even for experienced construction folks. That said, it’s a decent greenhouse with a good design, so we do recommend it.

Don’t forget to check out photos of our progress on Instagram!