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====Maintenance====
====Maintenance====
Based upon the way the greenhouse was designed the first projected maintenance issue will be the replacement of the poly film cover.  The plastic is issued to last 2 years, however, typically lasts from 4-7 years depending on conditions over time.  Another issue will be the  degredation of the treated wood which can occur between a 15-20 year period, again dependent upon the weather conditions.  The garden beds will need to be maintained dependent upon the season.  Planting crops, harvesting, rotating crop placement, and pruning are just some of the tasks associated with bed maintenance.  
Based upon the way the greenhouse was designed the first projected maintenance issue will be the replacement of the poly film cover.  The plastic is issued to last 2 years, however, typically lasts from 4-7 years depending on conditions over time.  Another issue will be the  degredation of the treated wood which can occur between a 15-20 year period, again dependent upon the weather conditions.  The garden beds will need to be maintained dependent upon the season.  Planting crops, harvesting, rotating crop placement, and pruning are just some of the tasks associated with bed maintenance.


===Construction===
===Construction===
The initial construction began shortly after the sight analysis was complete.  The site analysis was completed when we began laying down and staking the weed fabric down to cover it with a thin layer of wood chips.  We then began building the greenhouse offsite begining with the ends.  We framed in the ends of the steel tubing with 2"x4" lumber for reinforcement and structural support.
The initial construction began shortly after the sight analysis was complete.  The site analysis was completed when we began laying down and staking the weed fabric down to cover it with a thin layer of wood chips.  We then began building the greenhouse offsite begining with the ends.  We framed in the ends of the steel tubing with 2"x4" lumber for reinforcement and structural support.

Revision as of 05:26, 16 April 2007

This page is still in progress


Introduction

Building a garden at Sunny Brae Middle School is one step towards creating an experiential learning facility designed to educate middle school kids about where their food comes from. Having an on site garden where kids can gain direct contact with the process involved in growing food on a small garden scale is appropriate for many reasons which include:

  • Nutrition Education
  • Learning the basics of small scale food production
  • Teaching life sciences through direct engagement with growing vegetables
  • Extracurricular school activity

Background Information

Our project evolved out of a dialogue between several people in the community. While talking to the director of Parks & Recreation at City Hall, it was made known that Sunny Brae Middle School had been donated a greenhouse years back. As we talked and met with an after-school coordinator, teachers and the Principle of Sunny Brae Middle School, it became clear that the project would entail the construction of an entire garden; not just a greenhouse. Setting this project up was ultimately a test in weaving through beauracracy. From our

Sustainability Criteria

  • Durability-The garden at Sunny Brae Middle School can be justified as an appropriate technology because the structure's materials are designed to last. Durability is a high criteria because we want the garden site to last as long as possible as a sound structure. Materials such as weed cloth, galvanized steel, weather treated wood and Trex lumber are durable and will insure the continued existence of the garden plot.
  • Educational-Another criteria our garden design satisfies is serving as a educational facility for students at Sunny Brae Middle School. A science teacher at Sunny Brae Middle School has agreed to lead an after school gardening program with students.
  • Aesthetics-This site is also aesthetically pleasing, with an aim of attracting students to the premise.

Greenhouse

With a greenhouse on site at SBMS, this garden plot will be able to provide an educational experience all year long for the students of SBMS. In a coastal climate, one benefit of a greenhouse is season extension. By providing a secure micro-climate, vegetable starts can get an early start as well as provide vegetables longer in the season. Greenhouses also provide an environment that can expand the varieties of vegetables which can be grown in our climate. Hot weather crops such as tomatoes, peppers, melons and eggplant can be grown on the coast with a well designed greenhouse. The greenhouse is 10'x32', and it takes up approximately one half of the entire garden plot.

Design

Our design consists of two areas: Greenhouse design and an outdoor garden plot.

Materials

Greenhouse Design

The greenhouse is a manufactured kit that requires assembling. The kit assembled is a Country Barn, manufactured by the company Hoop House. Our design slightly differs from instructions provided in that we have framed the ends with 2X4s instead of plywood (see sketches). The kit includes the following:

  • Anchors
  • Carriage bolts
  • Corner angle brackets
  • Eyebolots with nuts and washers
  • Hooks and eyes
  • Hoop tops and bottoms
  • Hoop conectors
  • Hoop clamps
  • Nuts
  • Poly film cover
  • Stabilzing wire
  • Screws and Washers
  • Tek Screws
  • Turnbuckles

The kit doesn't include the following, which was sourced locally:

  • 2"x4" treated framing lumber (60')
  • 1"x4" lumber (220')

Inside the greenhouse we built two eight foot tables for vegetable propogation. Also, two 3'x12' raised beds can be found within the greenhouse.

  • 1"x12" Trex (60')
  • 1.25"x5.5" Trex (60')
  • 2"x4" lumber (140')
  • 4"x4" lumber (24')
  • 1"x4" lumber (60')
  • Mesh wire 6'x16'

Outdoor Garden Plot Materials

To complete the garden, additional supplies were needed. The garden plot size including the greenhouse is 40'x28'. This entire area is boardered with Trex lumber. There are six raised beds of varing sizes and a centrally located herb spiral in the middle of the garden (see sketches). To prevent weeds, weed fabric is laid underneath the entire plot. We laid woodchips to prevent erosion and provide a suitable ground cover for heavy traffic. This serves a duo-purpose as a mulch around the raised beds and greenhouse. The following materials have been purchased locally for the outdoor garden plot:

  • 1"x12" Trex (92')
  • 1.25"x5.5" Trex (92')
  • Weed fabric (1120 sq.ft.)
  • Redwood wood chips (6 yards)


Tools Required

For this project a basic knowledge of construction techiques are helpful. Listed below are necessary tools to complete this job.

  • Measuring tape
  • 5/16" socket wrench
  • Power drill & bits
  • Hammer
  • Circular saw
  • Level

Cost Analysis

In the garden plot the greenhouse was provided by Sunny Brae Middle School. Upon recieving the greenhouse, more supplies were necesssary for completion. These costs are shown in the cost analysis. Also shown in the cost analysis are the other supplis to complete the outdoor garden plot raised beds, wood chips, weed fabric, mesh screen, etc. See the table below.

Time

Maintenance

Based upon the way the greenhouse was designed the first projected maintenance issue will be the replacement of the poly film cover. The plastic is issued to last 2 years, however, typically lasts from 4-7 years depending on conditions over time. Another issue will be the degredation of the treated wood which can occur between a 15-20 year period, again dependent upon the weather conditions. The garden beds will need to be maintained dependent upon the season. Planting crops, harvesting, rotating crop placement, and pruning are just some of the tasks associated with bed maintenance.

Construction

The initial construction began shortly after the sight analysis was complete. The site analysis was completed when we began laying down and staking the weed fabric down to cover it with a thin layer of wood chips. We then began building the greenhouse offsite begining with the ends. We framed in the ends of the steel tubing with 2"x4" lumber for reinforcement and structural support.

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