Harbor Freight Greenhouse By sizwizz on - Updated Oct 15, 2011
After many years of yearning for a greenhouse I purchased an 8ft X 6ft model from Harbor Freight. The box says it's manufactured by One Step Gardens, but I believe they specifically make products for Harbor Freight. The nightmare started when we cut the box open.
As you would imagaine, there are a gazillion parts to an 8 X 6 greenhouse that comes in a cardboard box. Once we sorted out all of the parts listed on the lame instructions, (and yes, all parts were there, I'll give them that much), my husband and I dove into the assembly of the project. Most of the manual consisted of bad illustrations and poorly translated English. Arrgggh! At one point we were so stumped on how to put one part together, I went to my computer to see if there were better instructions on the internet. Voila! I found the perfect website with REAL pictures. (* see below) It saved our marriage!
Long story short, after one winter of heavy rain and wind, I chased and hunted pieces of my greenhouse all over the neighborhood! The window clips supplied are minimum, so I ordered more through a garden supply. That still didn't keep my polycarbonate windows in place. We ended up applying silicone around the windows and are awaiting the upcoming winter season to see if this helps keep parts from flying in the wind.
When the construction DID hold together it was a nice place to winter-over potted plants and start seedlings in the Spring. You must construct a base and supply heat when colder weather threatens plants. If you're worried about high electric bills in the winter this is something to consider.
The bottom line is, save up and spend a little more on a greenhouse with better quality. If you still want to buy the Harbor Frieght Greenhouse be sure to go to the website below to aid with the construction...and buy silicone.
* http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/strucs/msg1018342913355.html
About The Author:
Harbor Freight One Step Gardens Purchased at: Harbor Frieght Price: 299.00
Sounds like a product I'll probably avoid. Thanks for haring your opinion.
Greenhouses are such an investment. Thanks for the warnings from your experience!
Lack of directions seems to be a common theme these days. Glad you found a good website to help you out.
For all of the headaches this gave you, this looks like the professional greenhouses I see at nurseries. I hope you were able to get another one!
Love that part of the story: "chased and hunted pieces of my greenhouse all over the neighborhood" ....lol... but that greenhouse sure looks huge.
Definitely the greenhouse product I am going to avoid
looks nice but seems more like a starter greenhouse.. you'd probably outgrow it fast and need to upgrade.
that green house looks pretty neat
Thanks for sharing. We are considering investing in a greenhouse and I'll definitely remember to avoid this one..
Instructions can be hard to understand and I find that you are always left with some part that is not listed in the material list. Sounds like a product to avoid. I wonder how difficult it would be to build your own?