How to Build Your Own Greenhouse

A person may have the pleasure of building his own greenhouse. He may choose from various designs and sizes he would like to build. A greenhouse gives a person comfort whenever he attends to his plants, vegetables, flowers, and orchids. It also provides the needed sunlight and humidity for these plants. He may relax and enjoy every time he visits a place where he has exerted all his effort of building such a wondrous place.
He may save more money if he decides building a small greenhouse. There are supplies and materials that he can use which should be just enough according to his prepared budget. If there is enough space that can accommodate a larger greenhouse, which is more advisable because he may maximize the place where he wants to develop more plants and vegetables.
If he really desires to build a greenhouse where he can develop and propagate more plants, he may consider different factors that would be necessary on the type of greenhouses he would like to build. Here are some tips and factors he would like to consider in building his own greenhouse.
1. He may consider using salvage materials if he intends to make a larger greenhouse. He may use these materials in designing and planning for a low cost budget greenhouse. This will also help him minimize the expenses of the other supplies and materials needed.
2. He should also determine the climate of the place where he lives. An insulated greenhouse should be appropriate for cold climate areas. This will help him provide the needed warmth and heat for his plants. For warm places, a greenhouse that has a shade control should be advisable.
3. He also needs to make sure that his greenhouse will be designed with proper air circulation spaces, ventilation, pest control soil, heaters for winter season, and humidity control devices. He may create an environment that would be appropriate for the types of plants that will grow in the greenhouse.
4. The location of the greenhouse should be built were there is enough sunlight. He may choose a solar greenhouse for vegetables and exotic fruit bearing plants if he would like his greenhouse to be situated on the east-west part where his place is more exposed to sunlight.
5. It is also important to consider the covering of the greenhouse. The most advisable shades are the expensive glass made coverings and fiberglass. They provide more durability and they do not deteriorate quickly compared to plastic coverings. A greenhouse covered with glass or fiberglass allows more humidity and warmth.
6. He has the option to choose on what kind of foundation he would like to use. The foundations can be concrete for a more secured greenhouse. Others prefer the less expensive lightweight foundation where they use improvised materials such as railroad ties, which they can easily attach to the ground. It all depends on how much he is willing to spend on the structure of the greenhouse.
7. He may consider building a greenhouse that will maximize its full potential. He may add benches or materials that will be used for his comfort every time he wants to relax in the greenhouse. He may add many accessories to the place like automatic watering systems, heating systems, ventilation system and other automatic equipments that are effective in maintaining the plants.
8. He may use the “good bugs” for his pest control chemical. They prevent and control the spread of the bad bugs in a greenhouse. If ever he may find insects in a plant, he may isolate the plant and if possible place the plant outside the greenhouse so that the insects would not house the other plants.
9. He may allot a space where he can store fertilizers, potting soil and other tools that are essential in the greenhouse. He may place a tool rack nearer to the potting place so that it would be easier for him to transfer the soil from the pot of the plants. He may also place buckets and tool holders to accommodate the other equipment when they are not in use.
He can develop and grow all sorts of plants with a versatile greenhouse. He may also propagate from the grown plants to fill the greenhouse with a variety of plants. Putting up a greenhouse will be more enjoyable if it done with the help of the family and friends.

Choosing The Right Greenhouse Design

When one has a greenhouse, it means that one never has to quit gardening just because of weather conditions. You can keep on propagating cuttings and seeds and grow several plant varieties whatever the season.

When choosing a greenhouse, select a greenhouse style that matches the design of your home and the layout of your garden. Weather conditions should also be taken into account, as when your area experiences heavy snows during the winter, most likely you will not select a flat or straight roof design, rather a roof that will allow the snow to slide off easily.

The standard free-standing with curved or peaked roof greenhouse up to now is very popular that can be found in so many gardens. The rectangular or square shape permits for utmost growing space for plants, usually designed with benches on the sides and at the back.

Lean-to or home or wall attached greenhouses designs are manufactured and used when there is limited space at the backyard. These greenhouse designs are very accessible and convenient for connecting much needed water and power supply.

When choosing a certain design in the market, the “sky's the limit”. Small solariums of various designs are widely available, medium and large sized greenhouses and even prefabricated greenhouse kits for easy installation.

Here are some greenhouse designs:

1. Gable greenhouse. This design type usually is attached to a wall or garage or any structure utilizing only half the gable’s actual gable design. Generally, this type has flat roof panels but slightly sloping and vertical sidewalls. At times, the gable types of greenhouse are also attached to another greenhouse employing the use of the end wall rather than sidewall.

2. Barn style greenhouse. This design type is, as the name suggests shaped similar to a barn having wide roof and interior and with shorter walls. This design is usually incorporated in a garden of country setting or theme or a rustic garden appeal. This greenhouse design can be attached to another greenhouse or can be beautifully constructed in a garden freestanding.

3. Dome greenhouse. This design is identical to a dome, meaning it is half a ball and placed directly on land. This design can not be attached to a structure and only can be constructed as a freestanding type of greenhouse, as this design has no sidewalls. This type of greenhouse is a bit expensive to make due to the many pieces of different glazing that generally are needed to complete this design shape.

5. Gothic style greenhouse. This design type has a very historical gothic appearance. The walls and roof are formed in such a manner as to create a continuous form, allowing snow to fall down easily. This design type can be either attached or freestanding, however it is usually not recommended attached except when your home’s design is very much similar to a gothic design.

6. Hoop greenhouse. This type of design is constructed with a metal pipe or PVC to make the hoop’s shape then enclosed with plastic covering. This type of design is very cost effective on your initial purchase, but the maintenance of continuously replacing the cover (plastic) can really add up.

One will find that the majority of greenhouses are manufactured from aluminum material that is weatherproof and lightweight. Galvanized steel also is sturdy and lightweight. Wood can also be used, but one has to make sure to use a lumber that has been pressure treated such as redwood or cedar because these are weather resistant.

As to whatever greenhouse design should you decide on, be sure to look for a structure with the highest strength and stability and must have these features:

• Will be cable to endure extreme weather conditions, like very high winds and snowfall build up.

• Should have the necessary support for grow lights, sidewall shelving and hanging baskets.

• Should have an intricate detail of having hinged screened storm doors as well as large side or individual roof vents.

• A wide selection of styles and sizes offered. Keep in mind that costs can limit your greenhouse size, however extensions can later be added when needed and when you already have enough budget for it.

• The door may be easily adjusted to be dropped or lowered into the foundation’s opening so to get rid of an elevated step when you feel that it is needed.

Take note that often, most greenhouse owners complain of a limited space when they built their greenhouse on a budget. So whatever design you choose, just remember to get the largest that your money can buy.