The One Stop Gardens Greenhouse PC93358
The PC93358 is 12 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 10.3 feet high at the peak. With a generous 120 square feet of growing area, this little, economical polycarbonate greenhouse is well suited for growing a host of different veggies over the winter months. There is nothing like a One Stop Gardens greenhouse!
The frame is double-extruded aluminum and has 2 sliding doors for wide, trouble-free access to the inside of the greenhouse. The doorway access is almost 5 feet wide and over 7.5 feet high. A steel foundation base adds stability to the frame.
The 4.25 millimeters (.168 inches) thick, multi-wall, polycarbonate panels are UV-coated allowing sunlight to be spread evenly across all plants in the growing area. The multi-wall construction offers advantages of additional strength, heat retention created by the cardboard-like inner wall, and increased capability of sunlight diffusion.
If greenhouses use thicker panels, they will reduce light transmission. Thus, they are not recommended for greenhouse use.
It goes without saying that polycarbonate panels are a couple hundred times more resilient than glass…and a cut or two above the durability of 6-mil polyethylene plastic greenhouse covers.
Roof vents…there are 4 of them…allow for easy temperature control and the circulation of air.
This greenhouse is designed to sit on a flat, leveled surface…preferably on a concrete pad or wooden under-frame. It doesn’t do well otherwise…and the weak, 90-day warranty does not give me any peace of mind. Especially, when One Stop Gardens touts their “double-extruded” aluminum frame as very stable and their polycarbonate panels as virtually indestructible!
Still…all in all…this is a very handsome, greenhouse…and, with a little extra effort and a few tweaks, it will last years…and years…and years!
A HOST OF TIPS
There are a number of chemicals that will destroy polycarbonate. A few of them are, obviously, Acetone and Hydrochloric Acid. Petroleum-based products…turpentine, oil and gasoline being among them…can damage the polycarbonate. Do the research…and you will find other chemicals that do nasty things to this material. Thus, it would be wise to get a full list to ensure that, if you have any of these chemicals stored in your gardening tool shed, you can keep them away from the greenhouse panels.
Build it on a calm day. Wind is not your friend on construction day. Putting these parts together is tough enough without the added stress of having them fly and wobble around as you are lining up holes and screwing the frame together…and trying to slide in the panels.
Get very, very familiar with the parts and assembly process…read the instructions… BEFORE starting the build…and, lay out all the parts and identify the ones not marked. Try to think about possible problems…and anticipate any supplementary tasks needed to prepare for each assembly step…to make it easier. Enlist one or two volunteers to help! This is NOT a case of “two’s company…three’s a crowd.” It’s a situation where “more is better.”
Do NOT completely tighten the screws and nuts on this frame until the construction is complete and the panels are in place. You will need some wiggle room as you add some of the final parts, especially, the panels. When everything is together, go around systematically tightening all the screws to firm up the structure and, add a bit of Loctite to them. Mother Nature takes great pleasure in watching her winds slowly loosen the screws in your greenhouse…and, the Loctite will help to spoil her fun!
Add some weather-stripping around the roof vents to better seal them when closed.
Increase the greenhouse’s stability by using long tent stakes or, better yet, metal T-posts or U-posts. This will increase the structure’s resistance to moderate winds…and maybe some high winds.
Run a bead of clear silicone caulk around all frame and panel interfaces. It will not only add better waterproofing, it will keep the panels from rattling during windy days…and may help prevent dirt and algae build-up on the inner walls.
Periodically, use a disinfectant that is specially designed as a fungicide, virucide, and algaecide for cleaning the polycarbonate panels, such as Physan 20. Physan 20 is also used to clean and disinfect outdoor fountains, bird baths, and pools. If dirt and algae become too extreme on the inner walls, remove the panels and flush them out.
After using Physan 20, and making sure that the panels are clean and dry, apply a coating of 303 (30306) Marine UV Protectant. The 303 will rejuvenate the UV protection…making the panels look brighter and newer…giving them much needed extra protection. IMPORTANT: Follow the directions on the label.
Cleaning and rejuvenating the greenhouse panels inside and out will extend the life of the panels but, before you know it, you will still need to “bite the bullet” and replace a few of them…here…and there. That’s why it is very practical to have some polycarbonate sheets on hand to swap out the damaged panels.
Lastly, don’t overlook the need for a good infrared heater to keep your plants from freezing on those cold winter days and nights!
MY FINAL WORD…
Almost all of the complaints about this greenhouse revolve around stability and the short life of the polycarbonate panels. But, if you take the many tips I’ve offered here to heart…and do all the preparation and preventative measures needed, you will find that the One Stop Gardens Greenhouse PC93358 will be stable, sustainable, and functional for many, many years to come!
If the size is right…quite possibly, this greenhouse is right…for you! What do you think? Comment below or drop me an email: jim@perfect-vegetable-garden.com.
Jim, the Life Long Gardener
Hello Jim
Thanks for this very informative article. This greenhouse could be very helpful to me. I am currently living in China and have recently purchased a small property and my Chinese wife who is an avid gardener plans to grow some vegetables. However, with winter approaching ( which can be very cold ) I have suggested we purchase a greenhouse to which she disagrees. It does snow here on occasions and I need your advice on whether you think the greenhouse is needed or not. What do you think Jim? I need your back up here mate
Thanks
Paul
Hi Paul,
All I can say is…tell your wife if she truly wants to have fresh veggies and fruits during the cold winter months, a greenhouse, such as this one by One Stop Gardens, is absolutely the only way she can accomplish her goal! It will add at least 10 or 15 degrees Fahrenheit to the plant growing climate inside the greenhouse. And, if more is needed, just add a good infrared heater and keep those plants toasty warm!
She would be very popular as “the only kid on the block” to have fresh produce during those winter months!
Take care…and thanks for letting me know your thoughts!
Jim
I’ve had my One Stop Greenhouse standing for quite some years. I have no experience with the smaller more expensive advertised greenhouses from competitors. Standing till a recent when a high wind combined with a wind shear direct hit. Due to my inability secure some of the damaged framings with continued high winds mangled significant parts of the greenhouse. High winds have on occasion blown pannels off. Not a big problem other than losing wire clips. I wouldn’t trade this greenhouse for any of the far more expensive often more narrow greenhouses. I could add that the base needs to be well secured also my replacement OneStop Greenhouse will be raised to accommodate the banana trees I grow inside the greenhouse. I have always had a guy wire over the entire greenhouse front and back
Hi Rici,
That’s a very straightforward assessment of the capabilities of a One Stop Greenhouse – as well as the need for some additional stabilizing techniques to combat high winds. Some folks have no idea how much force is applied to such a large surface – and how much damage that force can do.
As long as preventative measures are taken, One Stop Greenhouses will give great performance for many years to come!
Jim
Cant find any information on replacement panels for 8×10 greenhouse
These panels do not break easily – but, the best way to replace them is to buy polycarbonate sheets and cut them to size to fit the aluminum frames.
If they’re just covered with mold and mildew, try using Physan 20.
If they’re getting loose, special caulking or loctite will fix the problem.
Hope this helps!
Jim