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Container garden, part 2

 
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My original concept was building a raised bed that was discussed here:
https://permies.com/t/168745/Raised-Beds-st-timer#1325740

As the design progressed, I found that there were some aspects that were going to be difficult to solve. So now I'm wondering if this idea has more merit and would actually work better and be less expensive.

I've sort of changed course after some thought. The expense of building that raised bed and filling it with soil and amendments started me thinking of ways to reduce the cost of the project.

In the past, I've had fine results with container gardening with tomatoes, peppers, green beans, potatoes, broccoli, cukes, etc..  

So, my new idea is to extend the growing season as long as possible where the tiny home is which is directly on the 45th parallel, elevation 998 feet in a major snow belt in northern Michigan. This past spring the last snowfall was on May 5th.

So I'm looking at small greenhouses and using 5 gallon bucket containers to plant the crops in.

Here's my reasoning that can be shot down in any order you like:

The first advantages are that the greenhouse will be against the tiny home which is painted white so there'll be reflected light to take advantage of the shorter days in the spring and fall and it will also keep the varmints out. With the container I was going to build, I'd wind up trying to build a gate door at one end to access the plants and have to walk in the soil.

The next advantage that I can see right off the bat is that I can amend the soils for each type of crop as well as have better control over the soil moisture. And from my measurements, I can actually grow more crops in the greenhouse.

That said, I've never had a greenhouse before. Sun porches, yes. The greenhouse that's at the top of the list has Polycarbonate dual panels, a hinged door, gutters and a roof vent and extended corners to sink in cement. And there's so many to choose from, it's been dubbed "The great greenhouse search of 2021." I hear Discovery is doing a whole series about it.
 
steward
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Location: USDA Zone 8a
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Hi, Max

How is your search for a greenhouse coming along?

Are you working on getting your buckets ready for spring?

My guess is that you have good things composting.  Vegetable scraps, bags of leaves, etc.

Dr. Bryant Redhawk's Soil Series might make good winter reading:

https://permies.com/wiki/redhawk-soil

 
max cottrell
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Anne Miller wrote:Hi, Max

How is your search for a greenhouse coming along?

Are you working on getting your buckets ready for spring?

My guess is that you have good things composting.  Vegetable scraps, bags of leaves, etc.

Dr. Bryant Redhawk's Soil Series might make good winter reading:

https://permies.com/wiki/redhawk-soil



For the greenhouse, I've set some standards for myself to keep it realistic. It seems the kits take days and days to assemble and all have design issues plus there's the winter to consider - we're in a Snowbelt so no matter which way I go, I should get something that can be taken down in the winter unless I want to build a shelter for it by sinking 4 x 4s and hanging tarps.

With that in mind, an Ogrow greenhouse may be my best bet in the long run. I can use a 4 x 4 frame at the bottom where the fabric sits on the ground for stability, it has plenty of windows for heat control in the summer. Only drawback is the zipper door. See photos.

I've got a bucket in the garage with leaves, twigs, tea bags, veggie scraps, egg shells fermenting. I'm on the great compost search of 2021 and am narrowing it down. As always, there's a lot of information and sources for vegetable compost and amending the soil per type of plant. I'm availing myself of the MSU extension service here in Michigan but as always value input from a variety of sources.

Honestly, pre packaged is probably going to be the preferred route.

My list for the first year is Detroit early Tomato, Sweet peppers, Abundant Spinach and Broccoli. 5 Tomato, 5 peppers, 2 Spinach and 4 Broccoli.
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Location: eastern cape breton, 6b
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dude - i have built 2 greenhouses - being stubborn about recycling i used windows i got in heavy pickup (once a year throw anything out day in may ;-)

if you are okay with tools you should skip the pre-built ones... especially off your home - it will take you less time to bang out a lean-to with lumber.. for a frame around the base i used railway ties... you could just as easily use 6"x6" X 8' pressure-treated posts... clear some dirt, put a bit of sand down... make it with a "shed" roof (1 slope) and get an old screen door with sliding glass somewhere - try to get on other old opening window...

you can replace any pieces yourself..

use these on both ends of the rafters... skip birds mouth cuts..

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/mitek-rt15-tz-1-916-in-x-5-14-in-g185-hurricane-tie/1001633468?eid=PS_GOOGLE_D22%20-%20E-Comm_GGL_Shopping_PLA_EN_Building%20Materials_Building%20Materials_PLA_EN__PRODUCT_GROUP_pla-559015408950&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-qGNBhD3ARIsAO_o7ymeYO-w1RJ4CGEuVGTDSxw58zBiLvDZTS_zl4kXbAxtojQM_hZt1DAaAvITEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

you can begin by covering the whole thing in 6 millimeter plastic - totally woks fine and will hold the snow.. then you can work on windows/plexiglass whatever... use pressure-treated wood - i made the mistake of using painted wood for my 1st... it will have to be rebuilt... (i will get a local sawmill to cut me some custom hemlock this time)

the second one i made with PT lumber and a plastic roof - i replace it every 2 years.. 3 hours, 10 bucks..

i live on a till plane - EVERYTHING is container/raised bed gardening - you can start hardier stuff in the greenhouse early them move it outside.. you can start flat of greens in february!!

for strapping the pressure-treated spacers that separate lumber are awesome - thin and free @ home depot or the like ;-)

by sure to use deck screws and in small places you can use 1/2 t50 staples on folded plastic just fine...

finally, don't skimp on size.. go at least 8' x 8' - you want room to maneuver inside - put shelves on the back/house wall..

you can build this in a weekend and it will be a one-person job - honest... below are some visuals to help motivate you!!

go for it and best of luck - cheers!


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max cottrell
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James,

Thanks for the input, it's very helpful. All suggestions are welcome. I've also considered the building one myself route along with the raised beds idea.

My main issue is, as always, are the Oak trees. These things are 50-100 years old. Whatever I put in, I have to assume that I'm going to have to move at some point as the season progresses.

From April to May (which is the reason I'm leaning towards a greenhouse) even through we may have some snow and frost, the Oak trees will be bare which will maximize the amount of sunlight, as much as 6 hours. As we get towards the end of May, the Oak leaves only allow for a few hours of sun which means I'm probably going to have to move the thing to a different spot as the season progresses. Plus the one in the photos will cost less than $150. Which will allow me to put more into other projects at the tiny home. I don't really have an upper ceiling on my budget at this point but don't want to go too insane. During the 2021 build I dropped in excess of 20 grand on the tiny home conversion which considering the lumber prices wasn't too bad. In 2022 I want to keep it under 10k.

The final reason is that while the addition to the tiny home gets around permitting rules because it replaces the original travel trailer and uses the same foundation. Back in the mid 90's, the county sent my wife a letter because the old trailer was falling apart and another person up there complained. Well, the county said just tear the thing out of there and "replace it when you can afford it" so 26 years later..... The county is pretty cool about it as long as you don't go overboard on what you do. We've gone from "unimproved structure" to "unoccupied residence" with no issues. Technically we could live there if we didn't make it obvious.

if I start an actual build, I run the risk of someone taking notice of my activities, especially since this is going to be on the lake side of the tiny home and in full view of all the downstaters that moved up here and lowered the water table 70 feet and dried up the springs that feed the lake and think they can browbeat everyone even though my wife's family has been there for 70 years, thank you very much and tear around the lake on their damned jet skis and pontoon boats.



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James MacKenzie
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Location: eastern cape breton, 6b
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oh man - that changes everything and totally sucks... try the portable one then and see how it goes..

how big is the lake??
 
max cottrell
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James MacKenzie wrote:oh man - that changes everything and totally sucks... try the portable one then and see how it goes..

how big is the lake??



The lake is 70 acres, 33 feet max depth with an island in the center. We"ve got perch, sunfish and large mouth. The frog population is basically 0. We have had beaver in the past. Wildlife is elk, deer, turkey, racoons, porcupine,  possum, black bear. No cougars that I've seen or heard, not that I'd want to run into one again. Tons of owls too.

There's enough widow makers that I could justify additional trimming of the trees but that wouldn't be enough to make a big difference.

The nice thing is that the greenhouse should be lightweight enough that I can move it easily.
 
James MacKenzie
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Location: eastern cape breton, 6b
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that isn't a very big lake for all those engines - that must grind your gears something fierce..

go with the small greenhouse for now - if you build a lean-to you can always grow more shade tolerant food = broccoli, rappini etc... mine always bolt - i am trying to find a place with LESS sun (and slugs

also you can start tomatoes and peppers then move them when the oaks get leaves..

anyway - best of luck - final thought is to buy "container" varieties of veggies..

cheers!
 
max cottrell
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James MacKenzie wrote:that isn't a very big lake for all those engines - that must grind your gears something fierce..

go with the small greenhouse for now - if you build a lean-to you can always grow more shade tolerant food = broccoli, rappini etc... mine always bolt - i am trying to find a place with LESS sun (and slugs

also you can start tomatoes and peppers then move them when the oaks get leaves..

anyway - best of luck - final thought is to buy "container" varieties of veggies..

cheers!



Exactly my plan. New to container production but old hand at what to grow. Starting this year with Detroit Tomatoes, Broccoli, Sweet Peppers, Spinach. Once I get the answers I need for the watering system, I'll know what I can do about locations. Going to make an attempt at growing Radishes indoors in the next week or two.

The back (north) side of the tiny home is all shade all the time with maybe an hour of sun at peak summer - I'd love to do a shade garden in that spot. Red lines are the handy existing block foundation, crappy yellow sun direction.
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I'm not sure if I approve of this interruption. But this tiny ad checks out:
The Intentional Community Summit - Feb 21-23 (2025) - online
https://permies.com/t/273995/Intentional-Community-Summit-Feb-online
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