Growing Together: Open Forum

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  • 1.  Best Greenhouses

    Posted 11-16-2023 12:27:00 AM

    I would love to have a small greenhouse at our school. Looking for recommendations for greenhouses that will work in a school environment. Would be using it to use it for starter plants. I am in Southern California.

    Thanks



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    Ziva Santop
    School Garden Specialist
    LVUSD
    Agoura Hills, CA
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  • 2.  RE: Best Greenhouses

    Posted 11-16-2023 02:06:00 PM

    Hi Ziva,

    That sounds like a lovely plan for your school! We have a free resource on this topic - Greenhouse Manual: An Introductory Guide for Educators! The U.S. Botanic Garden, National Center for Appropriate Technology, and City Blossoms teamed up to develop a introductory manual for educators wanting to better use new or existing greenhouses for educational purposes. Part 2 walks us through different greenhouse options and offers questions to consider in preparation. Hope this helps!



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    Jillian Fan (she/her)
    Resources and Trainings Coordinator
    City Blossoms
    Washington, DC
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Best Greenhouses

    Posted 11-16-2023 05:31:00 PM
    Hi Ziva, We purchased the Planta Sigma greenhouse and are very happy with it. Although it was challenging to assemble, taking multiple people multiple days. It comes in many parts.
    I would suggest you order at least one or two autovents since you are in southern California


    -- JOHN
    John Fisher - Director of Programs & Partnerships - 831.471.7831 - 
    Life Lab cultivates children's love of learning, healthy food, and nature through garden-based education. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with locations in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, CA





    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Best Greenhouses

    Posted 11-16-2023 06:31:00 PM

    Hi Ziva, I am in Sacramento. We just finished installing a greenhouse for our elementary school garden. It is my fourth attempt at a greenhouse (vandalized, weather - now have a fence). I got a 6' by 10' Hobby Greenhouse by July's Song on Amazon. Here's my expereince with all the lightweight greenhouses on line between $500 and $800. They are not difficult to put together for a handy person. It takes at least two adults to put it together (holding the roof up, etc.). You might have to fiddle with some parts that don't exactly fit together. Even with the mild California weather, they don't withstand the rains and wind we had last year. I am hoping for success this time because we surrounded the bottom frame with 4" by 4" wood, drilled holes in the window handles so the windows can stay shut, put a simple latch on the door so it stays shut, and added two heavy straps across the top (connected to circle hooks on the 4" by 4"). Even though we had to put in the extra steps, I think it's a good valve and will hold up. It is big enough to hold 6 potting benches.



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    Evelyn Margolin
    Sacramento, CA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Best Greenhouses

    Posted 11-17-2023 11:18:00 AM

    I checked with DSA (division of state architect) and in order for our district to install a greenhouse, we would need to get it ADA approved. This involves submitting plans to the state architects and also making sure the area is ADA complaint (including the access to bathrooms). All I want is a small greenhouse just to start seedlings and even though it will not be for student use, we still have to get it approved. In the end it is not worth it. For those of you who have a greenhouse, did you have to get yours approved? Our school is part of a public school district so we have to follow the rules.



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    Ziva Santop
    School Garden Specialist
    LVUSD
    Agoura Hills, CA
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Best Greenhouses

    Posted 11-17-2023 02:07:00 PM

    Our district has some of the same restrictions. They let us bypass the permits, ADA, sprinklers, etc, by calling it a "plant house" and the kids are working outside of it. Get to know the person in your district's Maintenance and Operations department who oversees gardens and playgrounds. They should be willing to work with you on this, especially if your garden is well maintained.  Our garden is flat but not exactly ADA compliant. M & O said I just needed to make 3 garden beds accessible so I moved 3 beds to the edge of our decomposed granite path. I know that the rules change all the time. You should still be able to argue that there is a precedence for this in CA since many public elementary schools have green houses or plant houses and are not exactly ADA compliant. It's worth a shot.



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    Evelyn Margolin
    Sacramento, CA
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Best Greenhouses

    Posted 11-20-2023 09:06:00 AM

    Hi Ziva! I just wanted to drop the link to this other discussion thread from over a year ago that's related to compliance and permitting issues with greenhouses. I know you and Evelyn were chiming in on that one, too, and it might be helpful for anyone reading this thread to check out that one.



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    Amelia Dupuis
    Kids Garden Community Manager
    KidsGardening
    she/her
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Best Greenhouses

    Posted 11-17-2023 02:33:00 PM

    I have 2 greenhouses that are 18x20 and 18x24.  We got them through Growers Supply https://www.growerssupply.com/home

    They are ADA accessible but I was not responsible for the permitting.  The kids do go inside them.  They are super sturdy with polycarbonate sides and have stood the test of time with the weather and the kids.



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    Hope Guardenier
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    Original Message


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