If you have a green thumb, like to grow your own vegetables or just enjoy being surrounded by beautiful flowers all-year-round then you should definitely consider building a greenhouse.
It takes time and effort to plant something, nurture it while shielding it from the effects of rain, wind and sun, not to mention the never-ending war against weeds.
Why not do this in the controlled environment offered by a greenhouse? It is a common misconception that greenhouses cost the earth to build.
However, building a greenhouse does not have to be expensive or even time-consuming.
Basically, a greenhouse consists of a frame, covering material and ideally, a foundation.
Greenhouses can be either freestanding or attached to the main house.
Generally freestanding greenhouses offer more options in terms of location.
When considering location, you must take into account the seasonal changes.
The ground might be muddy during the wet season, or the greenhouse may get too much sun in summer, in which case you may need to consider tree cover to provide some shade.
The location for building a greenhouse requires careful consideration.
Should you attach it to the main house? Should it stand alone? If the latter-how far from the main house? The frames for building a greenhouse are typically made of wood, aluminium or galvanized steel.
Plastic is rarely considered since it cannot stand up to wind and snow.
Coverings for building a greenhouse vary from glass, which is the most traditional, to fiberglass, to plastic film.
All these covering and frame materials should be considered carefully, their advantages and disadvantages examined.
For example, glass is aesthetically pleasing, inexpensive to maintain and durable.
On the other hand, glass breaks and is initially expensive to buy.
Plastic film, while inexpensive, needs to be replaced frequently.
For glass, fiberglass or double-layer plastic paneling materials permanent foundations are recommended.
Permanent flooring usually means poured concrete, much like in normal houses.
Other foundations include stone flooring or gravel.
In the next article we shall explore how to control the environment in a greenhouse, as well as the basic types of greenhouses.
It takes time and effort to plant something, nurture it while shielding it from the effects of rain, wind and sun, not to mention the never-ending war against weeds.
Why not do this in the controlled environment offered by a greenhouse? It is a common misconception that greenhouses cost the earth to build.
However, building a greenhouse does not have to be expensive or even time-consuming.
Basically, a greenhouse consists of a frame, covering material and ideally, a foundation.
Greenhouses can be either freestanding or attached to the main house.
Generally freestanding greenhouses offer more options in terms of location.
When considering location, you must take into account the seasonal changes.
The ground might be muddy during the wet season, or the greenhouse may get too much sun in summer, in which case you may need to consider tree cover to provide some shade.
The location for building a greenhouse requires careful consideration.
Should you attach it to the main house? Should it stand alone? If the latter-how far from the main house? The frames for building a greenhouse are typically made of wood, aluminium or galvanized steel.
Plastic is rarely considered since it cannot stand up to wind and snow.
Coverings for building a greenhouse vary from glass, which is the most traditional, to fiberglass, to plastic film.
All these covering and frame materials should be considered carefully, their advantages and disadvantages examined.
For example, glass is aesthetically pleasing, inexpensive to maintain and durable.
On the other hand, glass breaks and is initially expensive to buy.
Plastic film, while inexpensive, needs to be replaced frequently.
For glass, fiberglass or double-layer plastic paneling materials permanent foundations are recommended.
Permanent flooring usually means poured concrete, much like in normal houses.
Other foundations include stone flooring or gravel.
In the next article we shall explore how to control the environment in a greenhouse, as well as the basic types of greenhouses.
Source...