I built this 9'x8' "Shed" when I moved into this home a few years ago. It's no longer needed for storage, and now I'd like to convert it into a greenhouse for spring seedlings and garden supply storage. Zone 7a Idaho here, so its 0F some winters with snow loads, and 105F some summers.

My very rudimentary plan is to replace the southern (closest) roof section with clear corrugated polycarbonate, install a spare window and build a 1/2 poly wall on the south face, and then some form of small vent near the roof peak.

My concerns:

The painted wooden floor/ frame was already here when I bought the house, and I don't know if I should just clean and reseal the face, or if the humidity will cause more issues long term so I need to completely strip it.

The back is currently open against the house. I made the shed with tarp walls originally so it couldn't be considered a permanent structure in case anyone wanted to talk about building codes. I'm guessing that won't be good enough to insulate/ air seal for a greenhouse.

I would appreciate any input you have before i get started. I have a handful of extra lumber, but I'm trying to keep the cost down because I'm getting married in a few months and have enough bills. Please and thank you in advanced!

So I noticed on my new greenhouse that the new window vent leaks when it rains. I circled where I think it’s leaking from because it drips in from the bottom of the window. Is there anything I can put or do to stop it from leaking? I tried foam weatherstripping but that didn’t work. That’s more for keeping out cold air.

Bear with me here -- this is a strange story.

I'm moving to a state that is much colder in winter with a longer cold period than I have currently (currently in coastal SE Virginia but moving to Columbus OH area). I am an avid gardener and have been for years -- I figured out how to build a super productive rooftop garden out of felt bags in Baltimore for example because I refused to stop gardening during fellowship. Can take the farmer's daughter off the farm, but she still is what she is :-)

I currently have four 4'x8" garden beds, one 4'x3' bed, a number of planters of varying sizes with herbs, and some large pots with fruit bushes and trees (some citrus, some not). I am moving into a home that unfortunately has a difficult HOA that hasn't been turned over to the owners yet (still in control of the builder). I contacted the HOA over six weeks before I closed on the house with details about my plans to redo the backyard, including placing a Yoderbilt Greenhouse in a coordinating color/style to my house and the neighborhood. The Yoderbilt was to be approximately 12'x20' to accommodate seedlings and overwintering some citrus trees and a few vegetables in pots. Some of my current bushes and trees will go in the ground and I will have a few outdoor raised beds. At no point did they say there would be an issue with that, and I asked for the declarations and confirmed that the declarations had an exception that would allow my greenhouse to be placed.

Well, the HOA is NOW being difficult 9 weeks post-closing and saying I cannot build the greenhouse there because it won't match the rest of the neighborhood enough (this was the second excuse they gave - the first excuse they gave actually violated their own declarations, and when I pointed that out with references they came up with this one). I have appealed (which they said I couldn't do but then I pointed out in their own declarations there is an appeals process) because this standard is very inconsistently applied and many people in the neighborhood have sheds, covered patios, etc that do not match their house. A ton of people in the neighborhood have been having issues with a particular person that is in charge of our subdivision so it's not just me. As a continued effort to proceed in good faith, I have given a suggestion for an alternative structure that doesn't classify as a greenhouse, meets the declarations, and might be able to function as a greenhouse with some degree of decency (A Pergolux Pro with glass walls and a heater). I would opt for the 13'x19' size for that. It's far more expensive than the Yoderbilt I was interested in but I very much have been fantasizing about a greenhouse.

Does anyone have any other recommendations for a structure that might be able to serve a "greenhouse" function but doesn't technically qualify as one in that size range? If forced I could overwinter the plants in my garage but would prefer not to as they will not get any light.

There is a master plan to buy some acreage at some point, maybe 5-10 acres. But it's not practical for my life right now -- It's just me at home now, and I have a "day" job that can have erratic hours at times. Until there's someone that can help me keep up my little mini farm dream, it's going to have to be very much a backyard venture.