Opinion on Greenhouses

OK Need opinions folks on a 500 dollar Greenhouse for northern IL. climate. Must be able to lock the door By IL. Law. Need 6x8 or 6x6 for three plants can’t be higher than 7 feet high Nosey neighbors. Must be able to anchor into ground with posts with concrete I have the skills and I cn build it and they will grow! @yoshi @Fiz @JaneQP @Hellraiser @Borderryan22 @SilvaBack203 @Newt @Nicky @Aussie_autos @Ohio420.Club

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Harbor Freight sells some small greenhouses. I don’t know about locking, but surely there must be a way you could do that. I was looking at a 6x6 they have for $429. Good video on assembly - guy built a 10x10, but the procedures would be similar. If you sink posts in concrete in the corners of the house, it will hold it in place, plus there’s your start on benches.

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I’m not sure on greenhouses. I’ve just had them out in the open when outside. Does the greenhouse have to lock, or just entry to your backyard/property?

I built my greenhouse with 2x4 and 4x4 in concrete with a locking door and a privacy fence. It cost me bout 1200.00 in materials. But mine is 20x12x10. You can make a basic a frame style ghouse for probably 500. When i bought my lumber prices were really high. So it might be cheaper now. I went online and looked until i found a basic designe i liked and built it.




Here are some picks. It was an easy build i did it by myself. Or you can make a short hoop house with a framed in door.

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So i took all the shade off and replaced it with plastic. I just havent taken new picks of it yet. That was my first design. Works great even with 40 percent shade on it but much better with 6ml ghouse plastic. Not totally closed up so i dont need ac. Just fans… It sits off the ground by 4 inch so air comes under as well.

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It has to be locked from anyone like in a greenhouse and in a greenhouse not to be obvious. We have a 6ft fence 3 sides of property and house blocks view from street but law says must be in a greenhouse that locks

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I have looked at HF and most are junk plastic like way too thin zippers not a door can’t lock thanks

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Browse around on utube at diy greenhouse you will see lots of different styles. Hope you find something that fits you because there alot of fun. Happy growing.

I have a 10x12 from Harbor freight cost $800 it has sliding doors that can be locked. But you can rip the doors off with one hand. I was more concerned about the wind blowing it apart so i reinforced the crap out of it. Ive had to put the doors back on a bunch of times. I anchored it to the ground with cables that go over the top and attached to I-bolts in concrete.
I also have a 5x10 dog chainlink dog run that i built a A-frame out of pvc to make it 9ft high. I use 6ml plastic to cover it. You could easily make the A-frame out of steel pipes and chainlink and put a lock on it

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If you are gonna buy a prefabed greenhouse dont buy from Harbor freight its not secure in any way. Dog run of wood frame is the best way to go if you are looking to lock it up securely

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Dog run or wood frame tried to edit my last post but wasn’t quick enough

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I’m building something similar, but the op better rethink the budget. The screws are 35 dollars a bag. 2 by 8 tinted polycarbonate is 27 bucks a sheet. Four 2 by 4 by 14 feet boards are 68 dollars.

In short I’m way past a grand and ain’t done and it’s only 12 by 16 feet with a 12 foot roof!

I am still trying to understand the State, County, and Local codes here. First it was “enclosed” but having a locked fenced with no trespassing signs was not enough. Now we have covered, enclosed, locked, and not visible to the public?

I did find a locking chicken coop somewhere on google for cheap. Had I knew things would change again to hamstring home-growers I would have bought it!

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It says not visable from street ,enclosed,lockable,low proflie ,not easy for minors to get into. I need pre-fab to old to build my own framing to costly. @JaneQp

I agree with Plumbdand, get a good covered metal dog run from tractor supply and go from there. Easy to attach plastic panels, lexan, or sheet plastic. I think they come in 6-10 which should be plenty of space for 3-6 plants. Lockable with any old padlock. Not to tall as well. the one I have is 6 feet. Good luck and happy trails

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My dog run was $175 at Home depot its 6ft tall. I grew 2 plants in there no way could i have fit 3. I got over 8lbs of bud dried and cured between the two plants i grew in there. If you are worried about height dig a 2-3 hole big enough to fit the dog run in then add a pitched roof to bring it back up to 6ft. That way you could grow 8-9ft plants.cover it with 6ml plastic. I think that would meet your legal requirements. You could lock it and use fake flowers and fake tomatoes to help camouflage it. I make panels with the 6ml plastic. I cut pieces for each side and the top. I fold the edges over about 2in’s and tape the fold with a length of 12g wire inside. Then i attach the panels to the frame. This way if the wind rips it i only have to replace the piece that ripped. I can also open any side to increase airflow if needed. I leave gaps in the plastic at the corners and the ends to allow for airflow.

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In non legal states you might as well put a sign on it that says “the pot is in here”. A small real looking greenhouse built with tinted polycarbonate doesn’t draw as much attention.

I grew 4 plants in that in 2018 when it was still illegal in Az. It stressed the crap out of me. On top of that I went on vacation for two weeks in the middle of October with 2 plants still growing and nobody to watch my house. I was worried Id come home with DeeEA at my house or my plants gone. You couldn’t really see it from the street but you could from my neighbor’s yards.

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I waited until growing pot was legal then put this up. I had better results in the dog run.

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