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Thursday, April 12, 2012

SHHH Don't Tell Anyone

To me it is cheating, to others it is being smart.  I would hater for word to get out about me buying a prefab kit instead of doing it myself.

I have built everything here at the Mini Farm with my own designs and with my own two hands, except for now.
Last weekend I was at a new tool store they just opened up and they had a Greenhouse kit on sell for about a quarter of what it would cost me to build one. The wife and I stood in the store for several minutes debating one way then the other on if it would be feasible to do such a thing as to buy a kit.
We have been saving windows for a couple of years now and were going to have a scrap window greenhouse but now we have a prefab one in it's place.   
Last night the wife and I along with some help from the girls finished the assembly of the kit.
The picture to the right is not one taken at the Mini Farm but from the Harbor Freight website of the greenhouse because it was to dark to take any pics when we were done.

Today the wife plans to get the mulch to fill in the bottom and then put all all her shelving units in place. I have to figure out how to run water in it so we don't have to drag a hose in and out everyday. I am thinking some upside down sprinklers with a valve on the outside. Kinda like a fire suppression system. Turn the valve and the whole thing gets watered. Not sure yet though. 

28 comments:

  1. Awesome, can't wait to see your pictures.

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    1. Thanks Izzy but I cannot take any credit for it. I will post some pics when the wife finally has it all decked out.

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  2. I want one...lol. It looks like it is going to be awesome.

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    1. Coley, If it holds up to the winds out here then I will be a believer.

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  3. Sounds like you came on a deal!

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  4. Score (what new tool place??)! But you probably won't need it for a while will you? The weather is so warm already...

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    1. Harbor Freight, Where the old Big Lots uses to be in Denton.
      The wife plans to go ahead and start some flower seeds before it does get too hot. If it lasts through the summer then it will see plenty of use this fall.

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  5. What would we do without Harbor Freight.

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    1. For one Duke, I would have a little more money left in my pocket.
      I love the store and have to limit my visits.
      Thanks for the comment.

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  6. Smart move and it looks great.

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  7. MDR, buddy - i promise not to tell a soul! i can't wait for your pics and for you to tell us how it holds up!

    from the sounds of things, you and all of your girls built that thing with your hands - so everything on the MDR farm is still built using your hands!!! we will be building a scrappy greenhouse with our windows and pressboard, etc. - but man it would be nice to have one of these babies in the future and we are saving for it!

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. Technically I guess your right Kymber.
      Pics will come when it is all said and done.
      I have extra windows now if you want to come get them.

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    2. MDR, buddy - you KNOW that i am right! and hey - how much do you figure it would cost to mail the extra windows? bahahahahahah! but thanks for thinking of us - we appreciate it! and would love those windows!

      your friend,
      kymber

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    3. Kymber, as soon as I get a hug from Canada I will send you a window and I said I guess you were right, LOL

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  8. Isn't it nice every so often NOT to have to come up with a plan, design, or cheap materials? I've often thought, heck-dreamed of calling a repairman to the house just to fix something. Then I remember how much they cost and how little cash I have spare. Enjoy it while you can, Big'un.Cool find.

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    1. Thanks Hillbilly, yes I do like the fact everything was in a box, with directions.
      I know what you mean about the repair man. I have had to call them out for the AC and well but other than that I have to do it all.
      Thanks for the comment.

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  9. i have heard good things and some very bad things about harbor freight..i hope that you will be experiencing the good things with them...my major problem with harbor freight is that most of their tools and stuff comes straight from china..i am not saying that stuff from china is bad...but when the only stuff you can buy comes from china and not the good ole usa it sorta bothers me...especially these days. i sure wished that i had read about you finding a treasure trove of old windows and lumber and such. :(

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    1. The windows were not a all at once find. I have been collecting them for years just for this reason. The lumber came from some old barns I tore down last year. The piles are getting low but I reserved enough for the greenhouse.
      Yes Harbor Freight's tool do come from China and do not last that long if used everyday, but for what a skill saw costs at HF compared to Lowe's I can buy three from HF for the cost of one from Lowe's. Being I am mostly a weekend warrior when it comes to building and do not so it for a living, the cheap tools work fine for me and last longer than expected. Being I am kinda OCD when it comes to my tools I try and keep them put up and out of harms way.
      To give an instance, I bought a chop saw from them five years ago and it is like new today.

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    2. our local home building and supply store in town was selling something very similar to your harbor frieght greenhouse..and yes, it was manufactured in china...they were selling it for $99.00 and set up looked really easy. i watched their nursery lady put one up and yes, i really paid attention to all of the details and my hand was sure doing that pocket thing when i finally just had to use my firm disciplinary side and turn away from spending. next year though i just might consider buying same...unless i come up with a plan of my own. lol, this year i had to use last years sawhorses, clear contractor bags and clothespins!

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    3. Anony, there is nothing wrong with the greenhouse you made.
      This one was a little more than 99 bucks, I wished it was only 99 bucks, but it is what it is and the wife is happy and that is really all that counts.

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  10. We have thought about getting one of those. Cant wait to see how yours does.

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    1. So far so good SFG. I really don't like the windows but I guess they will work. In general it is really sound and solid. More than what I thought when assembling it.

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  11. Don't beat yourself up too much. I live in the country, but among big houses of 'rich people' who pay others to do everything from mow their yard to clean their house. I guess if you have it.... My neighbor recently hired someone to build her a chicken house. Oh yes, she has chickens, but building the house would be too much. Again, I guess if you have it... At least you built it yourself. Speaking of which. Time for me to go out and build a chicken coop and duck house... cause I don't have it. =)

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    1. Thanks you for the comment mamamcmann.
      Most of the people we know who live in town and buy chickens from us buy their little chicken coops. It has a cute little house with an enclosed little pen and you can move it around to anyplace you like. They sell them down at the feed store for 4 to 8 hundred dollars. To each their own I guess. Personally I don't feel good about something unless it has made me cuss it and made me bleed.

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    2. When I grow up I wanna be just like you MDR!
      =)

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