bluex2us
Founding Member
Always believe in yourself
Posts: 207
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Post by bluex2us on Oct 8, 2007 11:57:27 GMT -6
Wanted: information on how to build a potting shed.
We have a well house by our house that I would like to turn into a potting shed. The well house has the water tank inside and the rest of the well on the outside. The size of the well house is 4 x 6 and is made of metal. I wanted to enlarge the slab, take off the metal and replace with wood siding and have old sliding windows put in.
I need help finding information to remodel and to see if enclosing water tank and well motor would even be possible. I have an idea in my mind on how I would like it but can't explain to hubby. I need pictures, etc to show him so he knows what I want.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
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Post by firefly on Oct 8, 2007 14:38:25 GMT -6
ogeezer should be able to help you with this project. He is very knowledgeable about things like this.
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Post by ogeezer on Oct 8, 2007 17:21:03 GMT -6
That'd be a nice project, and one that'd be the source of water for the plants + added protection for the water well system in unusually cold weather. First of all, do yourself a favor and forget about enlarging the concrete slab -- its an expensive waste of money. For a good foundation, once the increased size is determined. Remove any surface grass inside the expanded space. Then: - Excavate (dig) a beam (trench, roughly shovel width and depth) around the perimeter of the proposed expansion. Fill this beam with aggregate (gravel of medium size, larger than pea-gravel size).
- Construct a foundation beam (using treated 4x4 or 4x6 timbers) as a perimeter beam for the walls. Using a 3/4" diameter wood (auger bit) drill holes thru the timbers, beginning 12" from one end, and then roughly 3' apart, all around the foundation beam.
- Using #5 (5/8" rebar - stuff used in foundations) cut 24" long (Lowes Bldg Supply sells such precut rebar rods). With a sledge hammer, drive the rebar rods into each predrilled hole until its end is flush with the top of the 4x4 timber, being certain keep outer edge of 4x4 beam flush with a layout stringline. Set each individual 4x4 beam completely before going to the next one.
- Take a deep breath.
- Frame the building (walls, roof, etc) to fit your needs.
- Layer more gravel inside the add-on for use as a flooring base, typically to depth of 3 or so inches. Gravel is perfect for such flooring, as it needs less cleaning, provides certain amount of aeration up from earth, and its less costly.
A potting shed is just another name for a greenhouse, prehaps with maybe a little less sunlight. Installing a window on prevailing sunny side which will cast sunlight down on your potting beds will encourage seedling to grow. If you're really industrious, fiberglass panels installed along with the metal sheeting on the roof will do nicely. Prehaps even a skylight (something from an RV supplier) that can be opened to provide ventilation is nice -- plants like fresh air too. I've got another project for WCUnleashers, that was going to post this winter, called Heated Seed Beds, but with your querry, now is just as good as later. Whatever, hope the preceeding helps you along with the pumphouse-potting shed
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