Growing roses in a greenhouse is very much possible. It’s also not that difficult, especially for someone that is used to rose care.

It’s getting quite late in the year to start though, so if it’s something he or she wishes to start then it should be done as soon as possible.

Jean-Helene

Wow, I love your idea of a Winter Greenhouse! Not only economical and ecological but effeciant too. It sounds like you have done an extensive amount of research and your plan looks great!

As for your questions…

Well compost is an excellent, and essentially free, source of heat. I think building a ‘chamber’ especially for the compest would be the best idea.

PVC is actually a fairly common material for greenhouse frames, and you may possibly be able to purchase one locally from a garden center or online.

I would imagine a pump would be the best way to circulate water through the heatsink, although this does increase costs.

Along with basic horticultural tasks you would need to maintain the supply of compost if you decied to use that, as well as maintaining the heatsink/pump. I can’t see too many additional tasks being required really!

The hinges would change depending on the materials used to construct your greenhouse. If you reverted to wood then doorhinges would be ideal. However as I like the idea of PVC, you could make a hinge and latch’ system by glueing two small PVC pipes together for the hinge, and then a tube cut in half for the latch, which the hinge would push into. If I’m not being too clear get back to me and I shall try to elaborate further or (try to) draw a diagram.

Wooden pallets with insulation would be far better suited than concerete. Personally you should stick with that idea

Well, PVC piping you might be able to pick up cheaply or even free if you asked around, especially if you’re friendly with any plumbers!! Compost you might possibly be making yourself already, and if not it’s really easy to start.

A half cylinder shape not only helps with air circulation but also looks great too. The only problem I can see it keeping it stored in your shed when not in use… as such a more conventionally made cubeoid shape.

Having never lived in the US I’m unable to recommend any retailers specifically, yet I’m sure if you went to a garden center nearby they might at least be able to point you in the right directions.

Hope this has helped!

I live in Boston, MA and I am looking for some advice on Greenhouse construction for winter gardening only (and vegetables that are appropriate for that as well). I am looking to build a greenhouse that I can put up in the fall and take down in the spring for growing a winter garden. It will have to be able to be taken apart into its components and stored in a shed in summer months since my family has no need for it then. Due to the fact that it will be used in the winter, it will have to be highly insulated and have a heat sink that will be able to help maintain a constant growing temperature for the plants inside. Ideally I would like to avoid expending much energy heating the greenhouse. I am, of course, also doing this on a budget. Here is what I have come up with so far.

1. I will use triple-wall or 5 wall polycarbonate panels for the walls of the greenhouse
2. I have found a few insulating products that look like they could be useful
3. I am thinking of using a solar collector water heater as part of the heat sink- easy to construct on my own : http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Thermal-Water-Heater-For-Less-Than-Five-Doll/ that could circulate hot water into the heat sink
4. I am learning about heat sinks and thinking that I want to use the simplest design and organic materials (mud, rocks, or water) to hold the heat during the day and release it at night.
5. The greenhouse footprint can’t be larger than 8’ x 10’
6. I prefer the simplest construction that meets my needs (and the easiest to put up and take down)

Questions that I have:
1. What are the possibilities for using compost as a source of heat?
2. What about a PVC frame?
3. How would I circulate hot water through the heat sink?
4. What are methods to reduce daily management of the project?
5. Types of hinges to use?
6. What type of material should I place the greenhouse on?- it will be sited on the concrete area around our swimming pool and I don’t know what sort of insulation is necessary after that. I had the idea of wood pallets with insulation inside them but that may not be enough at all.
7. Any ideas of ways to re-use materials to do this cheaply and reduce waste?
8. Any suggestions on the optimal shape of the greenhouse roof/sides to increase heat retention and circulation of warmer air.
9. Any suggestions of retailers that might have the materials that I am looking for.

Some links that have been useful so far:
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/solar-gh.html#storage
http://growerssupply.com/farm/supplies/cat1;gs1_greenhouse_building_materials;gs1_corrugated_sheets_panels.html