Greenhouses Solve The Blues
August 3, 2009 by JH
Filed under $75.00 - $200.00, Greater Than $200.00, Unique Ideas
Backyard greenhouses extend the growing season in all directions – at the front end for early seed planting and at the back end for enjoying those beautiful flowers and vegetables through the winter. With a greenhouse, many of us find it easier to handle the “end of the season blues”!
Owning a greenhouse is such a rewarding experience for any gardener, but with so many choices, selecting the right one may seem a little daunting. After all, they are an investment with prices ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars!
Greenhouse Select allows you find and compare more than 100 different greenhouses plus greenhouse supplies from different manufacturers. You’ll find kits from industry-leading manufacturers like Rion, Solexx, CedarShed, EasyGrow, Exaco, FlowerHouse, and more. Different sizes, shapes, materials, and prices to suit your needs and right now FREE SHIPPING!
Take a few minutes to think about these questions when choosing the best greenhouse kit for your own use or a gift:
- How and where will the greenhouse be used? Will the greenhouse be used to get a jump start on spring gardening with early seed planting? How about overwintering summer plants? Or is the plan to grow fresh vegetables all winter? Some greenhouse materials are just fine for early spring gardening when night time temperatures start to moderate. Stronger, more insulating materials are needed in climates where the greenhouse is expected to sustain severe winter temperatures.
- Will the greenhouse be exposed to snow and other severe, harsh weather? If so, it’s important that the structure and the covering be strong enough to support the extra weight. And in snowy conditions, it’s best to keep the greenhouse away from other buildings so the snow can slide off to the ground and you may want to consider a quonset style greenhouse that has no straight sidewalls. Sunlight has a difficult time penetrating snow!
- Which direction provides the best sunlight (northern hemisphere)? The north is usually not a good choice for sun exposure because there just isn’t much sunlight there! Both the east and the west usually provide enough light to grow most plants: the east provides the great morning sun allowing plants to get a good start each day while others prefer the warmer afternoon sun from the west. Southern exposure provides the most light but also the most heat which is especially attractive in very, very cold climates. In those situations you need to have a way to control the heat. (The exact temperature range needed will depend on the needs of the plants inside. For example, tropicals can tolerate much higher temperatures than ferns or other plants that need cooler temperatures.)
Do greenhouses work best in the middle of the yard? Not necessarily. Think about the source of sunlight (previous question) and the layout and design of your yard. If the greenhouse will be used for winter gardening, remember the sun is lower in the winter and casts longer shadows from buildings and trees. Based on what is determined as the best location for sun in your yard, greenhouse kits are available as stand-alone or as “lean-to’s” where one side is flat and is placed against the side of a building.- What about lights and water? Both certainly make it easier to work in the greenhouse – night or day! However, maybe the greenhouse can be located close to an outside water faucet or even a rain barrel. But a full service greenhouse has lights in key work areas and water available at both ends.
- Do greenhouses need to be air tight? Yes and no. They definitely need to be tight enough to provide insulation against colder temperatures but they also need to have adequate ventilation. The greenhouse covering should hold heat during cold weather and also allow you to add heaters if you wish. But good ventilation is also needed for air movement and prevent the green house from overheating in warmer temperatures. (Some greenhouse designs allow you to add exhaust fans, base vents, or louvers for ventilation as needed.)
- What about easy maintenance? Pay attention to the structural materials and the covering. Some are easier to clean than others! You want rust- and mildew-free. Regular maintenance is advised for all.
Are greenhouses portable? Some are very portable with simple pop-up installation. Even though these kits are usually less expensive, I suspect that this style may not provide as much protection from severe temperatures as other styles. They are mostly used for season extenders and maybe even extra quick protection during a pending hail storm!
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Greenhouses and year-round gardening get our green thumbs up!
