It’s unlikely that there is a gardener alive who wouldn’t want to own their own greenhouse. Such an idea appeals most to those who live in colder climates. A greenhouse makes it possible to grow an unlimited number of seedlings, and it doesn’t even matter where you happen to live. A greenhouse can be turned into a tropical environment, which can serve as a home for jasmine, citrus and orchids.

Most gardeners would love to be able to pick fresh greens for salads. Many gardeners would love the idea of being able to grow vine-ripe tomatoes when the weather is freezing outside. Fortunately, gardeners now have access to a number of well-constructed, affordable greenhouses. There is also an endless supply of different accessories, which make gardening easier than ever before.

The Size, Shape and Other Considerations

Although it might seem like a simple question, it’s important to consider the main function of the greenhouse because this is needed to determine the perfect size and type. For those who just want a place to sit with plants or read, a sunroom or attached greenhouse could be the best option.

A freestanding hoop house covered in polyethylene will work well for starting seeds. If you’re looking for an almost endless supply of fresh herbs and greens, then you might want to look into getting a solar greenhouse, which requires minimal supplemental heat. A high-quality, well-insulated greenhouse is an excellent choice for those who want to tend a massive collection of propagating begonias, orchids and oleander. This type of greenhouse requires room for expansion, active ventilation, supplemental lights, electrical power and running water.

Another important consideration to make is appearance. You might want to consider a polyethylene hoop house, but if you want a greenhouse that is much more esthetically pleasing, then you might want to choose something else.

Location and climate are two very important considerations to make. Greenhouses are extremely popular in England because their climate is moderate compared to what we experience in the United States. If you live in Minnesota or Vermont and want to operate a year-round greenhouse, then you’ll need an insulated foundation, buried water and electrical lines, insulating shades, double glazing and plenty of money to pay for heating.

Choosing a Greenhouse

You need to decide if you want a custom greenhouse or a kit. Since many different companies offer to build greenhouses at an affordable price, it almost doesn’t make financial sense to do it yourself. However, if you’re building a new home and want to integrate a greenhouse, then you might want to consider doing it yourself. A greenhouse kit can be very elaborate, or it can be nothing more than a polyethylene box with hardware.

Attached or Freestanding Greenhouse

There are benefits to having a greenhouse attached directly to your home, such as being able to grow year-round. Electricity and water are easier to manage. The problem is an attached greenhouse doesn’t have proper venting. Most freestanding greenhouses are cheaper and easier to assemble. Some issues with a freestanding greenhouse are the cost of electricity and water.

Modern or Classic

It’s important to make sure the style of the greenhouse matches your home. A classic style is suitable for certain types of homes, but it can be difficult to shovel snow off of the roof and could present several other issues. A modern style is easier to manage and doesn’t come with the same problems. The overall size is nearly as important as the style.

Choosing the Material for the Greenhouse

Another consideration to make is whether you want plastic or glass. For most greenhouse glazing applications, glass is still the preferred choice. However, gardeners now have plenty of new, high-quality horticultural plastics that they can choose from. Some of these new horticultural plastics are tedlar, polyethylene, acrylic and polycarbonate. When deciding on a glazing material, the lifespan and appearance of the material are important. You also need to choose between double or single-glazed options. Multi-pane greenhouses are notorious for being hard to seal. Plastic glazing still offers some unique advantages over glass, such as being more suitable for temperature fluctuations.

Gardening Inside Your New Greenhouse

When you own your own greenhouse, you can grow plants that come from across the globe. However, before stocking up on your favorite plants, you need to consider the actual growing environment. Many new gardeners make the mistake of shoving any and every plant they can think of into their new greenhouse. Different plants have different needs. It’s better to choose plants that enable you to take advantage of the microclimate that exists inside of your greenhouse. By taking full advantage of the microclimates inside of a greenhouse, you can choose plants that are suitable for such conditions.