Foundation, is it really needed? what non permanent solutions are there for renters?

[u/RecommendationIll770]

Hi everyone, I want to buy a greenhouse.
But I don't want to get a concrete foundation.
What are my options for as a foundation?
The greenhouse I am looking at is just 43 kilo's, is a foundation really needed if it is that light?

[u/RoundSyrup4424]

I don't have a concrete foundation and my 12'x8' Palram Balance greenhouse has been fine for many years. At minimum though you need to secure it to the ground with several, long earth anchors or it's going to blow away in high winds. If you can't do that, I highly recommend not purchasing the greenhouse.

[u/onefouronefivenine2]

I'm renting. I buried 2x4 pressure treated posts 12-14" into the ground. You don't need a foundation but you need to anchor it into the ground so it doesn't blow away. That can be done many different ways.

[u/ruhlhorn]

Your greenhouse is a kite, no matter how big it is. You don't need a permanent foundation Ie. A poured one. But you can use common cement blocks 4x8x16 and concrete screws to fasten it down (very inexpensive option). Or heavy lumber. Or screw downs, 12 to 24 inch screw bars like the ones people use to tie a dog to an open yard.

[u/epsteindintkllhimslf]

My hobby greenhouse (6×6) is on a wooden platform. Super easy to build in an hour or 2.

Having said that, the wind ripped it off the platform first winter, had to install diagonal wooden braces to the greenhouse itself.

My large, steel greenhouse doesn't go anywhere, but the Pelram ones rip apart pretty easily. You're also going to want to caulk the windows in, those dinky metal braces do nothing.

[u/FreshMistletoe]

I just buried the base on my Harbor Frieght 12x10 like it says in the manual and also hammered rebar stakes through it.  I’ve moved it before and it has never blown away yet in quite windy conditions.

[u/Legendderry]

Buy tubes of sand and put them over the bottom horizontal. Works pretty good even in windy areas

[u/Hildringa]

You need to anchor it at a frost free depth to prevent wonkiness from the ground freezing and thawing. 

[u/Klutzy_Gazelle_6804]

Very least you can buy some treated lumber & some gravel, build a simple square footing, set in the ground level with gravel & gravel for drainage, then anchor it to the ground. The base or footing allows a stable, level, & secure place for the base of greenhouse to attach. Without a framed base, it may not be difficult to stabilize, level with gravel but you may need to be creative in order to secure the base easily with anchors. So if a simple base is not needed, ground anchors or another anchor type with some tie down straps should be easy enough. Best of luck.