Getting a Greenhouse for Your Home Is A Reasonable Goal

Whether a well-seasoned gardener or a beginner ready to get your hands dirty, getting a greenhouse for your home is a reasonable goal and will benefit you all year long, no matter where you live. A greenhouse is a framed structure with plastic sheeting or glass panels and comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. Greenhouses allow you to enhance your gardening abilities and grow better plants and often out of season vegetables. You can purchase one already assembled or buy a greenhouse kit to assemble yourself. They can be free-standing or attached to your home. If you intend to grow your own produce or enjoy beautiful flowers all year long, there are several things to know before you get started.

Common Greenhouse Sizes

The size of your greenhouse needs to be determined by the quantity of plants you plan to grow, the amount of space you have available in your yard, and how much you want to spend. Here are the most common greenhouse sizes available.

• 8-Foot - If you're looking for a hobby size greenhouse, the 8-foot-wide is a good choice. Be aware, however, that the measurement is for the outer dimension of the greenhouse itself. The interior will be slightly smaller. In typical models, you will have a 3-foot-wide aisle with 2-foot-wide benches on each side. The benches are actually tables with lips around the edges.
• 10-Foot - A slightly larger size popular among hobbyists is the 10-foot-wide size. This one also has a 3-foot wide aisle. On each side of that aisle, you will usually find 3-foot benches, a good size to provide ample room for your plants without having to struggle to reach any of them.
• 12 to 20-Foot - The 12 to 20-foot-wide sizes are best suited for horticulturists. In these, you aren't limited to growing on benches but can add your own raised beds or include taller plants. Hobbyists can also use these larger sizes, making their greenhouse a nice getaway with additional seating and other such features.

How To Use a Greenhouse

Knowing the basics of how to use a greenhouse will go a long way in being successful in your growing. There’s plenty of factors you need to consider: 

• Temperature: Ideal temperatures are approximately 80-85 degrees. If you depend on the sun to heat your space, monitor it daily. Not monitoring and controlling the temperature in your greenhouse can cause stress to your plants and even cause them to die.
• Ventilation: Be sure the greenhouse has vents at the top or sides that open. Fans can push out the hot air or pull in cooler air. Keep the inside ventilated by taking extra measures such as opening the door on warm days.
• Shade: Invest in a good shade cloth, which is similar to a window shade. During the hottest days, shade cloths can help lower the temperature inside. On the coldest, rolling them up can let the light in to add warmth.
• Humidity: Keep your greenhouse with approximately 50 percent humidity for most plants. One way to add humidity is to add pebbles to trays and fill with water. The water will evaporate, adding humidity.
• Growing Seasons. Start seeds in Spring, grow smaller plants and flowers in summer, begin seasonal plants in Fall, and grow plants resistant to cold in Winter.

Backyard Greenhouse Assembly

First, choose the location site. Make sure it has beneficial sun exposure and good drainage. If the ground is slanted or unstable, consider whether to add a foundation or not. Many greenhouses arrive in ready-to-assemble form. Some require minimal assembly, particularly those that are portable versions. You have options for a snap-together greenhouse as well, with no need for tools.

Backyard greenhouse kits come with full instructions and a list of tools most often needed. Be sure to assemble the greenhouse in the order specified by the manufacturer of the kit to keep it stable. Start by assembling the base and also the corner uprights. The roof frame is attached next. Follow with wall uprights and roof rafters. Wall panels, ventilation windows, and doors usually follow.

Now the fun part begins. You can enjoy customizing the inside to fit your needs. It may take several days to assemble your greenhouse, so plan accordingly. Getting a greenhouse for your home is not only a reasonable goal but also a smart one. While challenges are involved in obtaining the best value from a greenhouse, the year-round possibilities are endless once the process is learned and practiced.