Pakistan Gardening Forum

Hi!. I have an open area of size 13x14 ft which i need to protect against sun in summer and frost/rain in winter.I have 3 kayaris (cemented) and about 30 pots with plants in this area which are to be protected from sun/frost. Options are: fiberglass, ailing and green house. Ailing is bit costly (Rs 100,000 fro 10x10 ft shelter) and green house is cheapest (Rs 120 per sq ft as compared to Rs 160/sq ft for fiberglass) among three. Are there any other options which are less costly for people like me.... ? Any guidance from members will be appreciated please.

Its comparatively a small area. I would suggest Green Sheet...which is available for Rs.250-500 per/yard depending upon quality (width is 13 feet). Thereby you would need something like 5-6 Yards of the said sheet. You can erect a shutter system on the house wall, through which this sheet can be extended when required or retracted through a pulley. This would require some iron work as well. Or to make it more economical you can make use of Bamboos available for Rs.20 (7 ft smallest dia) or any other larger dia bamboo. This would be a makeshift arrangement/alternatively you can make use of old iron water pipes from "Kabari"....That is available per Kg iron Rate.

Fiber is not advisable as its a permanent structure and definitely you would be requiring sun other than few hot summer months.

Thx Farhan, Actually I was looking for same thing which you have suggested, like a green house with shutter system which can be retracted when sun is required in winters. Now I need guidance (may be from members ex Rawalpindi) as to where can I get the shelter made in Pindi? Please note that I am not local. I checked from one person who has shop on High Court road who also works in fiberglass, he asked for Rs 120/sq ft with complete iron work and green house sheet, that means Rs 21,840/- for 13x14 ft area, which is too much for me.
Thx again Farhan.

He is trying to rip you off. My estimates

Sheet cost Rs.1500-2000
Iron Work Not more than Rs.3000-5000 with a complete frame and roller. (please note it does not require to be industrial strength frame)

Or else tie the sheet on four sides with nails and rope .....whenever required it should do the purpose. Anyways yours place is temporary why spend so much.

Another solution.

Fix the green sheet on the wall. You can use small wooden planks for that. Drill the holes in the plank, then place the sheet in between wall and plank and fix it with the bolts/screws.

Let the other side free. Roll a thin bamboo on the other side making a jacket so that bamboo is sewed inside it. whenever required extend this end and place it on the farther side/uptill wall and somehow hinge it on the wall.

When not in use roll the sheet onto the bamboo and hinge it to inner wall.

Thx again Farhan, you have answers/solutions to almost every problem. I ll explore both options that you have suggested. One question regarding second options (sheets with bamboos), how to bring stability in the sheet in the center in case of wind/storm. If we have bamboo in center then rolling may be problem.
About my temporary stay in Pindi... I am likely to stay in Pindi for at least 3 years (God willing) or may be for 5-7 years. Moreover I cant see my plants dying due to extreme weather conditions.. So I ll like to go for iron arrangement with shutter system which is more robust and easy to use, what do you say?

Why do you need stability in the centre...if the hinge is tense enough and the height of fixation on the building wall and perimeter wall is high enough...drooping of sheet should not be an issue. As you Yard is bounded by wall. Wind is not an issue i guess. Wind will not come vertically but horizontally which is warded off by walls not sheet/ceiling.

However i would say that fixation on the wall should be high as compared to the wall on the other side(i have in mind your yard)... this will ensure that the water slopes down. Sheet should be slightly extended outside the wall so that water spill is outside and not inside.

However if you want that it has stability in the centre(few places) ...you can make small holes in the green sheet. Get the holes sewed from all sides with a cloth and make a small pocket on the topside. Now you can use a bamboo to act as support by inserting it in the pocket/sheet and fixing it somewhere in the ground. For stronger fixing you can take empty canister of Ghee/oil, put some cement in it and place you bamboo/rod....upon drying it will become a very strong support with a larger base.

Yes Iron frame would be more stable structure and has other benefits as well such as looks. However you must weigh the cost. If you get it done as i earlier suggested for around 5-7K...then go for it.

Thx Farhan, I got my answer.. and you have very accurate idea about my house...

U can check mochi bazar for green sheet.Raja tarpal house is a good choice.

farah fayyaz wrote:U can check mochi bazar for green sheet.Raja tarpal house is a good choice.

Thx Farah.. Mochi bazar is near Railway Station, behind hathi Chowk,right, where there are number of tarpal shops?