The arrival of winter does not have to mean the end of gardening for those with a green thumb who love to grow plants and flowers, not with a cozy greenhouse in their own backyard. Before going to buy a greenhouse, it's a good idea for gardeners to keep these guidelines in mind in order to choose a design which will best meet their needs.
It's important to first select a good spot to place the greenhouse. Certain criteria must be met if it is to provide an ideal growing environment for the plants inside it. It should not be close to trees, be relatively guarded from the wind, and in a place that gets lots of sun. Leaving some space around it is wise, in case repairs are needed, and if it is closer to the house, this will make installing electricity easier if desired.
Whether or not the structure will be heated depends on how it is to be used. In particular if one wishes to grow seedlings during the cold winter months, it will be necessary to supply extra heat. Means of heating greenhouses include gas, electricity, paraffin, and bubble-wrap insulation. The first three methods provide higher temperatures than the last. Generally a temperature of at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit should be maintained.
The glass walls of a greenhouse should be both durable and conducive to the entry of sunlight. They are most often made from polycarbonate safety glass, toughened safety glass, or standard glazing glass. The latter is superior for allowing light to enter, yet vulnerable to shattering, but is fairly simple to replace if necessary. The other types may not facilitate the passage of light as well, but they are typically shatter resistant.
Frames are typically either aluminum or wooden. The former is normally less expensive and durable and may have a colored powdered coating applied to them for added aesthetic appeal. The latter has a more finished look and comes with both half-glass and full-glass wall styles, but they cost more and are prone to rot from exposure to dampness.
Ventilation plays a key role in creating a suitable growing environment. A combination of roof and side vents should be installed in most greenhouses, the larger they are, the more ventilation is needed. Roof vents let hot air out, and side vents let cool outside air in, to ensure balanced circulation. Manual control is not the only way to manage vents, there are also automatic openers and solar controlled designs for more convenience.
The gardener will also want to give some thought to the style of doors he or she prefers, either sliding or hinged, and the most suitable type of flooring. The roof shapes vary as well, and are a matter of personal and practical preference. A base gives the structure stability, and if it is wooden, it deters rotting.
After the greenhouse is constructed, special shelving called staging and benching can be installed. This is where the plants will be placed as they grow, and depending on the type of plants, it will have either a slatted or solid design. Other shelving for tools, cuttings, fertilizer, etc., can be built underneath the staging and benching. A water storage system, which typically collects water from the roof, will also be added.
It's important to first select a good spot to place the greenhouse. Certain criteria must be met if it is to provide an ideal growing environment for the plants inside it. It should not be close to trees, be relatively guarded from the wind, and in a place that gets lots of sun. Leaving some space around it is wise, in case repairs are needed, and if it is closer to the house, this will make installing electricity easier if desired.
Whether or not the structure will be heated depends on how it is to be used. In particular if one wishes to grow seedlings during the cold winter months, it will be necessary to supply extra heat. Means of heating greenhouses include gas, electricity, paraffin, and bubble-wrap insulation. The first three methods provide higher temperatures than the last. Generally a temperature of at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit should be maintained.
The glass walls of a greenhouse should be both durable and conducive to the entry of sunlight. They are most often made from polycarbonate safety glass, toughened safety glass, or standard glazing glass. The latter is superior for allowing light to enter, yet vulnerable to shattering, but is fairly simple to replace if necessary. The other types may not facilitate the passage of light as well, but they are typically shatter resistant.
Frames are typically either aluminum or wooden. The former is normally less expensive and durable and may have a colored powdered coating applied to them for added aesthetic appeal. The latter has a more finished look and comes with both half-glass and full-glass wall styles, but they cost more and are prone to rot from exposure to dampness.
Ventilation plays a key role in creating a suitable growing environment. A combination of roof and side vents should be installed in most greenhouses, the larger they are, the more ventilation is needed. Roof vents let hot air out, and side vents let cool outside air in, to ensure balanced circulation. Manual control is not the only way to manage vents, there are also automatic openers and solar controlled designs for more convenience.
The gardener will also want to give some thought to the style of doors he or she prefers, either sliding or hinged, and the most suitable type of flooring. The roof shapes vary as well, and are a matter of personal and practical preference. A base gives the structure stability, and if it is wooden, it deters rotting.
After the greenhouse is constructed, special shelving called staging and benching can be installed. This is where the plants will be placed as they grow, and depending on the type of plants, it will have either a slatted or solid design. Other shelving for tools, cuttings, fertilizer, etc., can be built underneath the staging and benching. A water storage system, which typically collects water from the roof, will also be added.
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