Can We Grow Our Own Food? – We’re Building a DIY Greenhouse
To be self-sustaining, we need to grow our own food. Building a greenhouse is the next step in our off-grid journey! With the dream of growing our own food, we take on the challenge of constructing a DIY greenhouse on our remote island homestead. From framing and trusses to painting and securing the structure, every step brings us closer to a self-sufficient lifestyle. Along the way, we tackle safety concerns, enjoy breathtaking views, and embrace the simple joys of off-grid living.
Table of Contents
- Adding Lateral Bracing to Prevent Racking
- Initial Strapping Keeps Things in Place
- Such a Pretty Spot for a Greenhouse
- Discussing Safety Protocols
- Uh… MOVE this Greenhouse?
- Remember When…?
Adding Lateral Bracing to Prevent Racking
We’ve dreamed about living on our own off-grid island, but that means we’ll need to grow our own food. So we’re building a greenhouse! It’s the next morning, and we’re back at the greenhouse determined to get the roof structure finished by the end of the day. Right now the walls are kind of buckled at the joint, so adding an additional top rail straightens them out. We built nine trusses and that is the next step in the process.
Initial Strapping Keeps Things in Place
As we move along the length of the greenhouse, we’re strapping these trusses together to make them a little more stable. Our stick frame trusses will be vulnerable to side loads until the purlins are secured in place. With each new truss we erect, the greenhouse starts to take shape. It’s quite awkward to balance and maneuver these trusses while atop a ladder, so we move slowly and deliberately to stay safe.
Such a Pretty Spot To Grow our own food
Melodi is innately unafraid of heights. Working together like this is fun, but working together while atop ladders is worrisome. We’re seeing a bit of what looks like smoke over that ridge, but we later decide it is only fog, or perhaps a cloud… either or which would be a blessing. Last year was a bad year for forest fires, and we really hope we won’t have to deal with that again anytime soon.
Discussing Safety Protocols
Safety is paramount, especially when working at heights. Melodi suggests I strap myself in for safety. There are lots of things to hold on to, but it’s always better to take every precaution. The collar ties in the rafters were only fixed with screws to place them, so I’ll be driving nails into them to ensure they are structurally sound. In fact, I’ll be adding many nails throughout the structure to beef it up.
Uh… MOVE this Greenhouse?
As we work, we discuss the possibility of moving the greenhouse if needed. Ryan is not a fan of that notion, and think’s it is a terrific greenhouse and should stay as place to grow our own food. Melodi thinks it’s nice to think about how it might serve other purposes in the future, like an additional shed or cabin.
Remember When…?
As the sun sets, we reflect on how far we’ve come since we first set foot on this island. It’s hard to believe this is ours, and we feel grateful for the opportunity to create our little homestead. We can’t wait to get our stuff in there and start growing vegetables in our new off grid home.
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