Look for greenhouses with low-maintenance frames. Ideally, you should have something that is easy to clean, such as the strong composite frame found on Solexx greenhouses. This ensures that you can wipe out any disease or pests that enter your greenhouse.
The greenhouse paneling should be equally durable. It should be scratch-resistant and also offer excellent impact strength. Ask about the greenhouse's ultra-violet protection Your greenhouse should be hassle-free. Greenhouses have to stand up to the harsh direct sun, so they should be designed to last.
For maximum life expectancy, the greenhouse framework and glazing should be UV-treated. Look for greenhouse that are UV-certified. Also check warranty periods and find out how much it would cost to buy replacement parts. Find a greenhouse with room to grow Your perfect greenhouse should fit both your available space and your plants. When choosing a greenhouse kit, keep in mind that no matter what size greenhouse you buy now, you will likely fill it up within a year.
You will want to make sure that you start out with plenty of growing room. The size of the greenhouse you need is dependent upon the available growing space as well. With Solexx greenhouses, built-in bench frames allow you to get the maximum use of your space. Hanging rods are another important feature, allowing you room to winter over all of your beautiful hanging baskets.
Select a greenhouse that is easy to maintain Cleaning and maintaining your greenhouse should be simple. Get ready to expand your notions of what, when, and how much you can grow at home. In many cases, a greenhouse is the crucial structure required to complete the full circle of gardening, seed to harvest. In hopes of regaining some control over the harvest, many gardeners are turning to greenhouses. Though the outside temperatures may fluctuate wildly, the hail may fall and the wind may blow, inside the greenhouse the air is calm and stable.
For more details on greenhouse materials, construction, accessories, and use, read our complete guide to choosing the right greenhouse.
Happy growing! Greg Seaman Originally from Long Island, NY, Greg Seaman founded Eartheasy in out of concern for the environment and a desire to help others live more sustainably. Greg spends his free time gardening, working on his home and building a wooden sailboat with hand tools. Read Article Shop Products. This article has been updated from its original text. Stability: a greenhouse offers a predictable environment which shelters tender plants from damaging weather extremes.
Self-sufficiency: a greenhouse empowers us to easily save and germinate our own seeds, making it possible to avoid paying for commercial starters. Sizing: do you need a starter or a grower greenhouse?
Glazing choices: should the panels be opaque or clear? Insulation and design: how's the winter weather? Logistics and landscape: your site, your zoning, your neighborhood. Reputation and service: know who made your greenhouse.
Read the fine print and satisfy some basic questions: What kind of warranty is provided? How many years, and what types of issues are covered? How long has the company been in business, and how many kits has it sold? With such a significant purchase, many want to go with a known seller and manufacturer with proven track records. A long warranty may be no good if the company folds next year.
How is the greenhouse shipped and packaged, and what will the shipping cost? Always check everything for shipping damage before you begin construction. They have a fine structure that lets in more light and casts less shadow. Metal greenhouses come in a range of colours, including green and black, and require little maintenance. But metal is a poor insulator, conducting heat away from the plants inside. Wooden frames — Wooden greenhouses are strong, attractive and bring a more natural look to your garden.
They tend to have bulkier and more robust frames than metal greenhouses but the wood needs regular maintenance. There are many different types of glazing available for your greenhouse. Here are the benefits of each:. Safety glass — Shatterproof safety glass is a safe bet for gardens with children.
Polycarbonate — Polycarbonate is times stronger than glass, weighs half as much and is very safe. Styrene — Styrene is twice as strong as glass, shatterproof, lightweight and a good insulator. Acrylic — Acrylic strikes a happy medium between polycarbonate and styrene. As well as choosing the type of glazing you want in your greenhouse, you also need to consider whether you want a fully or partially glazed structure:.
Glass to the ground — Greenhouses with glass panels down to ground level let in the most light. Half-wall or dwarf wall — Greenhouses with low brick or wooden walls around the base are very sturdy. They also trap more sunshine as heat, keeping plants warmer overnight. However, seedlings will need to be raised up on a bench to get the light they need.
Roof vents are vital and ideally should be on both sides of the roof. Greenhouses allow the gardener to extend the growing season, sow plants earlier and provide the ideal place for rooting cuttings. Where to site a greenhouse Ideally, greenhouses should be sited where they can receive uninterrupted sun throughout the day. Product choice Wood or aluminium?
Shape and size The taller a glasshouse is at the eaves, the better the light transmission and therefore the wider the range of plants that may be grown. Ventilation It is important to ensure a greenhouse has sufficient ventilation. Glass or plastic glazing? Toughened glass should be used for doors and anywhere where people might fall onto the glass. Greenhouse alternatives Polythene tunnels Polythene tunnels polytunnels are a highly cost-effective means of growing summer crops, such as tomatoes or cucumbers, but are rather unsightly and not usually economical to heat and keep frost-free over winter.
Cold frames A cold frame is simply a box with a sloping glazed lid either glass or plastic glazing and is a traditional means of protecting plants to supplement, not replace, a greenhouse. Mini-greenhouses A useful choice for small gardens, mini-greenhouses are tall, usually plastic-covered, boxes with shelves and are open at the front. See also You may also like.
Coldframes and mini-greenhouses. Cuttings: hardwood. Cuttings: semi-ripe. Cuttings: softwood. Fleece and crop covers. Greenhouse: ventilation and shading. Greenhouses: heating efficiently. Hardening off tender plants. Trees and shrubs from seed. Trees Trees and shrubs from seed Seed is a cheap way to produce large numbers of Greenhouses Coldframes and mini-greenhouses Coldframes and mini-greenhouses are useful
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