Thinking of starting a greenhouse?
The idea of having a greenhouse is attractive. You may be envisioning a mini-world where weather, seasons, and weather don’t matter. You imagine ripe vegetables to pick all year round or flowers blooming in December. Inside, you will have your own quiet place, away from the hectic outside world.
In the past, greenhouses were a luxury item, but no more. Today, anyone can have one, whether it’s a portable mini greenhouse or a large, operational backyard greenhouse. Millions of hobby and backyard greenhouses are in use around the world, not to mention all the commercials. If you are in the planning stage, there are a few things you should think about clearly.
1. Rental: Before buying or building your greenhouse, select a suitable location for it. The location of a greenhouse is of the utmost importance unless you are considering a small portable greenhouse. Plan a place where there is a maximum amount of sunlight, away from trees, walls or the shade of the house. At least 6 hours of direct sun is critical. The preferred exposure is the south, in a place where it does not receive shade. An east-west orientation will give you 25% more sun than a north-south orientation, since more surface area is presented to the sun.
two. Site: This is part of selecting a location. The greenhouse should be on a relatively level site or one that can be easily leveled. The soil underneath needs to be well drained, so a place that receives rain or melt runoff is not a good place. Easy access to water and energy are other things to consider. A long run for utilities can be expensive and difficult to install. Also, think about the proximity to the house as well. You don’t want to walk far in inclement weather!
3. Assess your needs: There are many possibilities when it comes to choosing a greenhouse. By reflecting and answering the following questions, you can quickly determine which type of greenhouse will be best for you.
- What is my purpose in having a greenhouse?
- How big do I need it?
- What do I want to grow?
- How elaborate will I need or want a setup?
- Do i need a building permit?
- How much will it cost to maintain?
- What will it cost to heat a greenhouse?
Four. Choose a type: Once you’ve made decisions about what you want from your greenhouse, the next step is choosing a style. Will it be freestanding or attached to a house or other building? Will you need a structure tall enough for vines or taller plants? Some greenhouse styles are sheds, A-frame, with Gothic arches, tunnel-type, and sloping roof. Explore possible coatings, from glass to rigid plastics and plastic films.
5. Build or buy? Once you know what type of greenhouse you want, you must decide whether to purchase a pre-made kit unit or build one from a plan. Do you have the time and skills to do it yourself? If saving some money is a deciding factor, you may want to consider building your own greenhouse. On the other hand, a kit can be the logical and much simpler option.
Once you’ve gone through these detailed planning steps, whatever decision you make to get started with a greenhouse will certainly be the right one for you.