Gardening is a hobby popular among people seeking peace and tranquility. Attending to plants is known to have therapeutic effects on a person. Every gardener dreams of having his own greenhouse to manage. Anyone with a passion for plants could build his own greenhouse. There are various designs and sizes to choose from. A greenhouse need not be huge or costly to be considered successful.
You can design and build your own small greenhouse. Careful planning and execution will save you time and money. Here are some pointers to consider before building one.
• If you are running low on budget for this project, try recycling and salvaging used materials. The amount of money that you can save might be used in buying other supplies and materials needed in your greenhouse. Plus, think of it as your small way of helping the environment.
• To know what type of greenhouse you should build, first research on the type of environment or climate your greenhouse will be exposed to. An insulated greenhouse is perfect for cold climate areas. It will give your plants the warmth and heat they need. If you will be setting up a greenhouse in a warmer place, a greenhouse with shade control is the best option.
• Ensure that your greenhouse is designed with pest-free soil, proper ventilation, air circulation spaces, heaters for the winter season, and humidity control devices for the summer. For this, it is recommended that you seek advice from a professional engineer, an expert gardener, or someone who has set up a successful greenhouse.
• Always bear in mind that sunlight is essential in gardening. Too much or too little of it can harm your plants. That is why your greenhouse should be located where there is enough sunlight. If you will be growing vegetables and exotic fruit-bearing plants, you might think of setting up a solar greenhouse. Also, avoid placing your greenhouse under a tree as strong winds can break branches, which could damage your greenhouse.
• Choose the appropriate covering for your greenhouse. Although they are more expensive than plastic, the most advisable shades are the glass and fiberglass coverings. They are known to be durable and do not weaken quickly compared with their plastic counterparts. Fiberglass coverings also provide more warmth and humidity.
• To ensure stability, it is important that you choose the proper foundation for your greenhouse. Factors to consider in choosing materials for your foundation are your budget and your personal choice. You can opt for a concrete foundation for a more stable greenhouse but this can be costly. Those with lower budgets prefer to use lightweight materials, some of which can be recycled like railroad tires that easily attach to the ground.
• In designing your greenhouse, consider the ways you can maximize its full potential. Try adding benches, hammocks, or tables for your comfort and relaxation. Also, try adding accessories like lamps, automatic sprinklers, heaters, ventilation system, and other automatic systems that will make the maintenance of the greenhouse easier.
• Make use of the “good bugs” for pest control. It helps prevent the spread of insect infestation in a greenhouse. If you ever find a plant with an insect, isolate this plant by placing it outside the greenhouse so that the infestation will not spread to the other plants.
• Inside the greenhouse, make a small cabinet where you can store fertilizers, potting soils, and other gardening tools that are essential in the greenhouse. Place your tool rack near the potting spot for accessibility if you need to transfer the soil from the pot of the plants. Make use of buckets in storing equipments when not in use.
There are so many things to learn in building a sustainable and successful greenhouse. Some of which can be learned through experience. Building a greenhouse can be enjoyable if you will be building it together with your family and friends.
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