Things To Consider When Choosing A Greenhouse

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There are a number of choices you have to make before deciding on the greenhouse to buy. You need to choose the site for your greenhouse and know that it will need to be in a sunny position and as close to the house as possible, so that you can make connections for water, heating and electricity.The following information applies whether you are building your own greenhouse or buying a greenhouse.

The site for your greenhouse will dictate to some extent the shape of it. There is now available a huge choice of greenhouse shapes and styles. Even without going to the expense of having one created especially for you, you still have a choice. There is the tradiional “barn” shape with four vertical sides and a span rof with a central ridge. There is a whle range of ’round’ greenhouses. These are usually multi-sided, rather than actually circular. They usually have six or eight sides and although they are the most attractive in design, they do not make as efficient use of space as the traditional style does.

Greenhouses no longer need to made of glass, and are increasingly now being made of plastics. However, You may need to replace some of these more frequently since some older plastics may become brittle with time.Then there is the choice of Aluminium or Wood for the frame. Sice wood is naturally an insulator, the wooden framed greenhouse can be cheaper to heat. They do have that traditional greenhouse look. If you do choose a wooden construction, then remember that when carrying out the regular maintenace, you should not use creosote based preservatives in the greenhouse since that can be toxic for some plants.

The next decision you will need to make is the flooring. This is especially important if you are buying a ready made greenhouse. You need to decide whether you want to grow plants in the ground in your greenhouse or whether you will use pots and growbags. Although pots and growbags can restrict roots systems, they do prevent a build up of any infections.

You can gain an advantage in reducing your heating bills by using concrete floors. If you don’t have a concrete slab and are growing directly in the ground, you can still gain this advantage by using concrete slabs or blocks along the cntre of the greenhouse, or under the benches.

Ventilation is another consideration. You should aim to keep a consistent temperature in order to get the very best growing conditions. You also need air movement to prevent a number of deseases. The conventional way of doing this is by vents in the roof. A 2 x 2,5m (6 x 8ft) greenhouse should have trw vents and other sizes need the number of vents adjusted to match the size. Polythene greenhouses are difficult to ventilate. It is difficult yo install ventilation panels in polythene structures, and condensation is a big problem.Putting mesh panels in the doors and along the base of the greenhouse Will provide some ventilation, and reduce the condensation.

Whether you are going to be building your own greenhouse or buying a greenhouse ready built, the above decisions will need to be made. You will lose a great deal of the potential enjoyment from your new greenhouse if you fail to consider these factors.

Greenhouse gardening gives you a whole new aspect to your gardening. It can be one of the most satisfying things you do, so think carefully about it before you commit - and get it right.

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