How To Buy A Greenhouse That Meets Your Gardening Needs

Publié par Unknown on vendredi 13 février 2015

By Katina Brady


Owning a greenhouse is the perfect solution for avid gardeners who enjoy growing year-round. These structures provide a nurturing environment for many delicate types of plants, including those which don't fare so well outdoors. In order to buy a greenhouse which will best suit the space available and the gardener's growing plans, it is necessary to know which factors must be considered.

Before anything else, one must be certain that there is a suitable location for the greenhouse. The ideal spot should be free of trees, exposed to adequate sunlight, and protected from strong winds. Ample space should be left around its perimeter, for easy repair access, and it should be placed in close proximity to the house if electrical wiring will be installed.

Some greenhouses have an additional heating source, while others do not, this largely depends on how they will be used and when. Gardeners who plan on growing seedlings over the winter, will definitely require heating. A high temperature can be achieved with gas, paraffin, or electric heat systems, and moderate warmth can be established with insulating bubble-wrap. Temperatures should generally not be lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Its glass walls need to permit sufficient light to enter, and should be able to stand up to years of use and exposure to the elements. These can be made from traditional glazing glass, polycarbonate safety glass, or toughened safety glass. The latter two are more resistant to shattering, however they allow less sunlight in, while the former is more readily replaced if needed and encourages maximum light entry.

Most frames are made from either aluminum or wood and each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Aluminum is more affordable, very strong, and can have a powdered coating in almost any color applied to it for added visual appeal. Wooden greenhouses have a charming appearance, and they can have either fully glassed walls or a glass/wood combination, however they are more expensive and can rot when in prolonged contact with 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.

There are other details pertaining to the structure of the unit which one should take into consideration, such as the base design, type of flooring, doors, and roof shape. The greenhouse's size is mostly dictated by the nature of the plants that will be grown in it. A base helps prevent wood-rot and provides stability. Doors can be either sliding or hinged styles.

Once the greenhouse is in place, details such as staging and benching, and a water storage system can be installed. Benching and staging are shelves where potted plants grow, they can be either slatted or solid according to the needs of the plants. Regular storage shelves can be placed underneath these units. Most gardeners will collect water from the roof of the structure for use.




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