In 2008 we built an 8×10 greenhouse next to the wellhead on our property. We needed the greenhouse to keep the deer from eating our pants. We use Earthboxes for growing vegetables, while other plants are in normal pots.
DeAnna found the plans at Buildeasy and adapted the dimensions for lumber we could purchase here in Florida. My cousin Danny and our friend Paul were a huge help in assembling the greenhouse over many weekends. We would assemble the large components together and I would paint and prep the items myself during the week. The outside of the greenhouse uses Tuftex PVC panels instead of plastic sheeting. The panels are hard to cut with heavy scissors, but a fine tooth circular saw will do the job.
Here is a video DeAnna created during the construction:
During the last 7 years we have noticed that some plants do well in the greenhouse, while others seem to attract bugs and mildew. Tomatoes have been a big disappointment, as the plants seem to die after the first harvest. Cucumbers and squash tend to attract powdery mildew, but never seem to produce any vegetables. Cauliflower and cabbage produce large plants but they tend to bloom instead of producing edible product. I suspect some plants dislike either the earthbox or the greenhouse (or both).
The best plants are peppers like jalapeno and bell. They produce many harvests and last a few years. Vine beans are also good producers, but the plants have to be pulled after a season. Ornamental plants thrive in the greenhouse, and I use them to attract helpful insects which keep parasites off my vegetables.
The original cypress mulch floor has compacted down, so I recently replaced it with pea gravel. This gives better drainage with less organic “rot” in the green house. This also allows me to put the earthboxes closer to the ground, so the plants can grow taller. I elevate the plants on the opposite side of the greenhouse so they aren’t shaded by the plants on the front side. The greenhouse is oriented north/south so the left side gets most of the sun. Over the years, the clear panels have yellowed a bit, which is perfect for dimming the bright Florida sun.
Latest pics 2-8-15 – covered the old mulch with weed barrier and dumped 20 bags of pea gravel on top. I was going to use concrete pavers, but this was much quicker.
Here are some guides to growing Vegetables
Florida Vegetable Growing Guide
Florida Crops Seasonal Availability / Typical Harvest Times
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| Guava | |
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| Lettuce | |
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| Longan | |
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| Mushroom | |
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| Orange | |
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| Papaya | |
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| Passion Fruit | |
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| Peanut | |
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| Radish | |
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| Snap Bean | |
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| Squash | |
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| Strawberry | |
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| Sweet Corn | |
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| Tomato | |
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| Watermelon | |
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| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |