Plant Gardens 101

When people first start thinking about buying a greenhouse they often don’t consider all the other things that go along with greenhouse ownership like greenhouse heating systems.

Gardeners get so caught up in the excitement of purchasing the greenhouse that they don’t stop to think about the heating system.

Before you make your greenhouse purchase you should do some research on the subject and make sure you know a few things about the greenhouse, ventilation, heating, and cooling systems. These will be determining factors in the success of your greenhouse operation.

Some things that will make a difference in what type of greenhouse heating system you purchase are your location and the size of your greenhouse. It will also be important to determine what you will be growing in your greenhouse.

If you are living in an area that has a climate that does not experience much in the way of temperature fluctuations you may not have the same greenhouse heating needs as the gardener who lives in a very cold climate or a very warm one.

Choosing a smaller greenhouse? If this is the case you will not have the same greenhouse heating requirements as someone who is planning on building a really large greenhouse.

Greenhouse heating systems that work well for certain plants and flowers may not be what is needed for others. This is another reason why you should get the advice of someone in the greenhouse industry

Most greenhouses will need some kind of greenhouse heating system to ensure a successful growing experience. Consult with greenhouse experts and find out the best heating system for you.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful information about greenhouses and greenhouse gardening at The Greenhouse Catalog.

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With the hottest days of August behind us, this is a great time to plan for cooler times ahead. Particularly at the juncture of two seasons, your greenhouse provides a growing environment sheltered from increasingly unpredicatable weather. Chilly nights? Just close the vents and let the thermostat bring on a little heat. Indian Summer? Re-open the vents and doors.

While outdoor crops are likely to be affected by these seasonal fluctuations—weathering increasingly cool fall temperatures, and eventually, frost—with a little well-timed intervention, your greenhouse plants can continue to flourish. Of course, even inside the greenhouse, summer temperatures won’t necessarily remain for long. And don’t forget to take into account the shortening day length at this time of year. Some crops are better candidates to grow under these conditions than others. (more…)

If you’re really serious about gardening and want to get the best possible results from everything you do, getting a greenhouse can be a big commitment. You may feel that caring for your greenhouse properly means you need to be there all the time, and this can be difficult if your work or social commitments take you away from home a lot. But by sharing a greenhouse with a neighbor, you can make sure there’s always somebody on hand to take care of things.

Sharing a greenhouse is a great solution for people with busy modern lives. It can also be a great way to get to know your neighbors. After all, the strongest friendships usually develop on the basis of shared interests. A shared greenhouse is most practical if the other person using it lives really close by, and of course you’ll have to feel comfortable with that person being on your property, or they’ll have to feel comfortable with them being on yours, but these are minor issues in establishing what can be a very satisfying approach to gardening.

Sharing your greenhouse with another person means that you’ll have the benefit of one another’s knowledge. You can choose whether to grow plants together or grow separate plants in one half of the greenhouse each, but don’t forget that properly caring for greenhouses requires co-ordination – you’ll have to communicate closely to make sure plants are not over watered, hygiene standards are adhered to and you’re not trying to keep incompatible species. It can be a good idea to keep a log book in the greenhouse so that you can each note what you’ve done there and when.

If you’re too busy to give a greenhouse the attention you feel it deserves, sharing can be an excellent solution, enabling you to enjoy all the benefits of greenhouse gardening despite your busy lifestyle.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful information about greenhouses and greenhouse gardening at http://www.greenhousecatalog.com

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Ever wondered how higher altitude places can grow crops in their location? Plants need enough heat and sun’s energy to grow. However, for places that are located in the northern portion of the globe, this requirement may be difficult to attain because of the nature of their weather. Thus, farmers in these places use the greenhouse method to be able to still successfully to grow good quality crops.

A greenhouse is an enclosed structure where plants are being cultivated. This building is usually made of glass or plastic to trap the sun’s electromagnetic radiation to warm the plants and soil inside. Having a greenhouse needs proper maintenance for a more productive crop growing. Different supplies are needed by greenhouse farmers to make this happen.
Greenhouse Supplies There are different materials and equipments needed for a greenhouse planting to be effective. Here are some examples of the supplies you will need in case you are planning to build a greenhouse:

1. Heating and cooling thermostats. Since temperature is crucial to the efficiency of greenhouse structures, a thermostat is needed to be placed inside the building. The best location to mount it is near the middle of the greenhouse and at plant height. Also, it would be best if both the cooling and heating thermostats are protected from direct contact with water and sunlight. (more…)

You may be interested in the purchase of a greenhouse kit and just want more information. If this is the case, than you are in the right place. Greenhouse kits are a great way to be able to grow fruits and vegetables throughout the entire year.

Greenhouse kits are available in several shapes and sizes. There are also material variations, depending on your budget needs. To make choosing a greenhouse kit easier you can break them down into two categories. These categories are a standard model and a deluxe model. Here is what to expect with each of these categories.

The Standard model is more for the beginning greenhouse gardener. You can still find plenty of variety in size and shape, but this choice is more cost friendly. Usually this model is covered with a clear poly-film covering. You can usually find this greenhouse model designed with aluminum or PVC framing materials. (more…)

Building a greenhouse is like house a house. You should have a well-designed proposal and numerous clothes necessary to be full into consideration. There are different types of home greenhouses but your diversity should depend on the rising spot, architecture, setting and expenses. Most importantly, the greenhouse that you will be edifice should, of course, fulfil its rationale of maintaining a courteous environment for plants to grow.

As mentioned, there are numerous equipment that ought to be considered when putting up a greenhouse. To give you some tips, here are the stuff to be included in the forecast play:

Location. First thing to notice in edifice a greenhouse is its locality. The best setting for a greenhouse is a place where it will get limit sunlight. Morning sunlight is best for plants because it makes them twitch processing early which will significance to maximized growth.

Thus, the best spot is on the east trait where it gets limit morning sunlight especially from November to February. North of buildings or any main formation is the last locality to be considered as it only provides little light. Also, it is best to make surely that the trees adjacent the select place will still allocate enough sunlight to catch the greenhouse. (more…)

For gardeners all over Britain a greenhouse is the most important room in the house. The famous British weather is just not conducive to outdoor living. But with a greenhouse, the oldest and greatest of pastimes, gardening, can be carried on all year round. With this in mind it is well worth planning and investigating the installation of your bespoke wooden greenhouse. It has to be a wooden greenhouse for the real gardener.

Some things to think about when planning your bespoke wooden greenhouses are, how big will it be? What form should it take? What is the best site for it? Who will build it for you? What will maintenance involve? What system of irrigation, heating and air conditioning will you have? All this before you have planted your first seed too. (more…)

Getting started with greenhouse gardening begins with some basic knowledge of greenhouse gardening and the tools of the trade. Here are a few basic considerations before beginning your greenhouse gardening project.

Selecting an Area for Greenhouse Gardening

Selecting the right area of your yard to begin your greenhouse gardening greatly depends on the type of gardening you prefer. If you grow mainly houseplants or greenery, a partly shady area of the yard is best. Vegetables and fruits need more sun than foliage plants. If you plan to grow a mixture of plants or are unsure of what types of plants you will grow, you can locate your greenhouse in a sunny area and utilize sunshades to protect plants when needed. If your greenhouse will have a covering that diffuses the light, you will want to put it in the sunniest location possible regardless of what you are growing. The diffused light will be welcome by both sun and shade loving plants.

You can also situate your greenhouse to face east or west instead of north or south to take advantage of more light. You will want to position your greenhouse in close proximity to utilities such as electricity and water.

Choosing a Greenhouse Materials

Selecting a type of greenhouse depends largely on your budget and the space available. Smaller, portable greenhouses are fairly inexpensive, and custom-built greenhouses that attach to your home can be quite pricey. Special greenhouses are also available that allow you to start plants in your kitchen window or basement. Greenhouse gardening can be adapted to fit any lifestyle and budget. Hobby greenhouses are available in various sizes and materials to suit the needs of every gardener.

You can also choose from a wood frame, PVC frame or an aluminum greenhouse frame. The best choice for your plants is the PVC greenhouse frame or for better strength, a white composite frame. They provide the least amount of heat loss, do not rust or rot, and reflect white light back to your plants (where some frames actually rob light from your plants). Wood is more aesthetically pleasing, but aluminum is more durable and nearly maintenance free.

The foundation for your greenhouse can be constructed of timber, steel beams, concrete block, brick, or a concrete slab. These construction materials vary greatly in price and your budget may be the main deciding factor in selecting a foundation. Some gardeners choose a concrete slab to act as a foundation and flooring in one for their greenhouse. This simplifies construction in many cases. Others opt for a more natural flooring by adding a landscaping screen to keep out weeds and accenting with a brick walkway or stone pavers. Even a simple gravel flooring is sufficient for use in a greenhouse.

There are many greenhouse covering options. Each covering has its advantages and disadvantages. Consider now much maintenance the material will require, how durable it is against wind and hail, and ideally try to get the best R factor (insulation factor) and the material that will provide the most diffuse light.

Other Greenhouse Gardening Considerations

When beginning greenhouse gardening, you will also need to consider where you will get your heat, ventilation, water, and electricity. Specialized greenhouse systems can help you provide these greenhouse gardening essentials, or you can provide them individually as you see fit.

Beginning a greenhouse gardening project is easier once you decide on the basics of your greenhouse project and gather the essential greenhouse gardening supplies. Making the right decisions now will assure that you will spend your time working in your greenhouse and avoid spending time maintaining your greenhouse structure. So get ready to grab some pots, soil and seeds and start enjoying your new greenhouse!

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful information about greenhouse gardening and greenhouse gardening at The Greenhouse Catalog.

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With so many harmful elements that tend to destroy the environment these days, having your plants nurtured and developed within a remarkable structure. Known as the greenhouse, you can expect an all year-round supply of lush vegetations and flowering plants without worrying about the adverse effects of the pollution in the environment.

Indeed, cultivating plants in a greenhouse is one of the most remarkable structures and concept man has ever created. However, putting up and setting up a greenhouse is not an easy thing precisely because it entails a lot of factors that needs to be considered in order to provide the plants a healthier place to live.

With the “closed environment” of the greenhouse, it is a must for every gardener to provide the appropriate equipments that will answer to the different needs of the plants. (more…)

As with garden sheds, there are two ways to build a greenhouse: you can either buy the sheets of glass and the frame and do it yourself, or you can hire a professional. However, building a greenhouse can be a lot harder than building a garden shed, which is why even experienced DIY enthusiasts might want to think about calling in some professional help.

The main reason greenhouses are difficult to build is the material that they’re made from: glass. If you drop glass or install it wrongly, it will shatter, meaning that any mistakes you make will start to get expensive fast. Would you put in your own windows? If not, you probably shouldn’t be building a greenhouse. If greenhouses are built incorrectly, not only is it dangerous, but it is unlikely that any of your plants will actually grow properly. Also, it is very difficult to build greenhouses when the sun is shining, as you will get very hot – it’s easier to do it in the winter or the night, but then those are hardly ideal building conditions either. (more…)

Did you know that more greenhouse plants die from overheating then from the cold? Greenhouse ventilation is essential for successful greenhouse gardening. That’s why an exhaust fan is one of the most important cool the greenhouse.

It is important to maintain the air movement in your greenhouse to keep your plants healthy. If the air under the leaves of the plants becomes stagnant, the plants will not have the CO2 needed to photosynthesize. An exhaust fan will help to keep the air moving throughout the day and bring fresh usable air to the plants.

Any time of year, even on a cold winter day, the greenhouse temperatures can get over 100 degrees with the warmth of the sun. A thermostatically controlled exhaust fan will turn on automatically when the greenhouse begins to overheat to draw fresh air into the greenhouse to help cool it down. Once the greenhouse air has reached your desired temperature the exhaust fan shutters will close. (more…)

The plants that you choose for your Gabriel Ash greenhouse are purely a matter of personal taste. Some gardeners use their greenhouses strictly for the purpose of starting vegetable plants and either keeping them inside the greenhouse for the duration of the growing season or placing them outside when the weather gets warm. Others prefer to grow beautiful flowers all year round. It is also possible to place potted summer annuals inside a greenhouse for the winter to keep them alive so that in springtime you can place them back outside already fully in bloom. A greenhouse is also an excellent place to grow kitchen herbs all year round to provide fresh flavor for all of your recipes. (more…)

Greenhouse gardening can be one of the most enjoyable and exciting kinds of projects to start. A greenhouse offers you endless hours of opportunity to work with any number of types of plants. Whether you grow vegetables in your greenhouse to eat, or grow flowers to sell at the local market, greenhouse gardening is an activity that pays off in many ways. For many gardeners, greenhouse gardening begins with building the greenhouse.

10 Helpful Things to Consider Before You Build a Greenhouse

There are some important things you should keep in mind when it comes to building a greenhouse. In addition to deciding on the type of building you want to use, there are a number of important considerations to keep in mind when you create your starter or ideal greenhouse:

1. Make sure that the greenhouse is as high as it can be. A greenhouse that is higher provides more volume to help buffer the outside temperatures. If you increase the height of your greenhouse by just two feet, you can increase the volume by around twenty percent. The surface area, which is the part of the greenhouse that makes you vulnerable to heating loss, will only go up by around eight percent. A tall greenhouse offers very few direct shadows, keeping frame members further from your precious plants.

2. You will also want to insure that you have adequate drainage for your greenhouse gardening. One way to do this is to utilize gravel to help raise the floor of your greenhouse above the surrounding terrain. This will help the water table lower quickly after it rains, and will keep the floor of your greenhouse much drier overall.

3. An irrigation system can be a huge time saver for your greenhouse. There are nozzles and drippers available for just about any kind of crop, and choosing the right one for your greenhouse is a huge time saver.

4. Be certain that you have sufficient electrical service to your greenhouse. If you have too little voltage, you might be in a pinch once you begin gardening. As your greenhouse grows and you add more equipment, you will need that extra electricity.

5. Be ready to monitor levels of pH, EC and moisture. Using meters that will monitor these conditions can give you some indication of the changing needs of your plants. These monitors are relatively inexpensive, and give you a much more accurate reading than just a visual inspection.

6. Make provisions to keep out pests. Use things like insect screens, tight vents and tight doors to keep the little critters out of your greenhouse.

7. Use solid-state temp controllers. You will want to choose electronic thermostats over mechanical ones, as they will give you much more precise control.

8. Plan to expand. Create an overall plan for your greenhouse that covers the next several years. Make sure your existing structures and facilities will allow you to have expansion.

9. Use quality equipment to save time and energy. Labor is your number one production cost when greenhouse gardening, so using things like container-fillers, carts and conveyors can really speed up your processes.

10. Use a quality air circulation system, which is important for leaf moisture removal, carbon dioxide enhancement, and uniform temperatures.

With a little care and planning, building a greenhouse can be a rewarding experience for years to come.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful information about greenhouse gardening and greenhouse gardening at The Greenhouse Catalog.

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Instead of looking out through your glass panes and watching your not so long ago attractive flower beds that are now frozen in the winter, you can easily transform your windowpane into a little greenhouse where houseplants, herbs, seedlings and flowers will thrive.

A window greenhouse is also a great project for the plant lovers with much limited space. Also referred to as a garden window, even with its very small structure, this little garden can supply you with enough space so that you can enjoy year-round blossoms.

Cost, materials and your window greenhouse size are factors to be considered when deciding the style that best suits you. Just do keep in mind that the style should math the design of your home.

There are complete kits bay window style units that are energy saving and installs easily. They certainly will open up any room and likewise increase the functionality of a living space. Window greenhouse seat board may be utilized as a pretty breakfast nook or give a place for indoor plants that takes up a lot of floor space.

The bow greenhouse window can also be a great option that comprises of more than four glass segments to imitate a rounded look. Bay greenhouse windows generally come in three segments with sides that are angled at either thirty or forty-five degrees. (more…)

If you’ve been looking at greenhouses for your garden and you’re despairing of how expensive they seem, you’ve been looking in the wrong place. Although you may think that having a greenhouse will be a huge expense, you will be pleasantly surprised at how affordable greenhouse kits have become in recent years.

To get the most out of your investment, choose a pre-fabricated greenhouse kit to save you the expense of hiring a contractor to erect your greenhouse.

Small square greenhouses can be the most practical greenhouse types if you have a small suburban garden, and they can look good enough next to small suburban houses, but what if you have a country house and you’re aiming for a more natural, old fashioned look? (more…)

Getting flowers going in the garden greenhouse is always a fun addition to your usual greenhouse gardening activities. There’s just something special about watching those delicate green shoots emerge, knowing that they will produce beautiful, vibrant flower blossoms.

Flowers in the greenhouse add fragrance and color to your green workspace. The cheer and peacefulness they bring more than make up for the added effort of starting end nurturing a few extra seeds. Here are a few tips for getting flowers going in the garden greenhouse.

Tips for Getting Flowers Going in the Garden Greenhouse

• Start your seeds early. You can start your flower seeds in the greenhouse weeks before the last frost. This will still make transplanting them outdoors possible, but will provide you with hearty seedlings that are more likely to survive transplantation.

• Always read the planting guidelines on the flower seed packet. Different varieties of flowers call for different planting instructions. Even though one packet may look like the next, always flip over the package and double check the directions before planting.

• Always start your seeds in a sterile container and use sterilized soil to prevent the growth of bad bacteria and insects.

• Keep the greenhouse temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the germination process, or a seedling heat mat to warm the seeds from the bottom.

• When filling seed containers with soil, do not pack the dirt. Filling the container loosely will allow for better drainage and allow added room for the seed to spread forth its delicate roots. Firm the soil lightly with a soil tamper.

• Newly planted seeds need extra moisture and sunlight. If you are using a grow light, set your timer for up to 18 hours of exposure per day during the germination period. Covering your pots with plastic will help them retain adequate moisture levels by preventing evaporation.

• Wait to fertilize seedlings until they have grown 3-4 leaves to prevent burning the plants.

• Grow flowers that are your favorites, but try out a couple new flowers each season. This provides interest and variety to your greenhouse and you might just find a new favorite among your experimental flowers.

Getting flowers going in the greenhouse is a great way to provide a pick me up for those last lingering days of winter and spring. Flowers exude happiness for the greenhouse gardener and can jump start your growing season next spring.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful information about greenhouse gardening and greenhouse gardening at The Greenhouse Catalog

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People have different interests. Some prefer sports while others enjoy painting. Another hobby for those that love plants is gardening. Equipped with the proper tools and equipment, the person can beautify the home and enjoy the compliments of neighbors.

It takes time to plant something then watch it grow. It is for this reason that people have to concentrate on watering the plants and making sure that insects or weeds do not destroy it.

A good place to do this which will protect the person from sunburn is inside a greenhouse. This place is an enclosed home that is used to grow plants in a controlled environment. The framework is composed either of wood or metal.

The panels where sunlight enters can either be made of glass or plastic. The size of the greenhouse really depends on the purpose and the frequency of use. Those who just started this as a hobby may start with a makeshift greenhouse at home. (more…)

Buying a greenhouse can represent a major investment. It’s something which requires careful thought. You need to consider not only what your needs are today, but also what they’re likely to be in years to come, and you need to balance your ambitions against your budget. Fortunately, the advent of the extendable greenhouse has made these decisions a lot easier.

When you’re choosing the greenhouse that’s right for you, you may well prefer greenhouse kits over pre-built models, especially if you’re trying to save money. Among the simplest of these kits to construct are hoop greenhouses, which involve stretching a polyethylene covering over a metal or fiberglass frame.

Extendable greenhouses take this principle a step further by structuring the greenhouse frame in sections. This means that, after buying a basic model, you can later choose to buy additional sections to add to it, to extend it according to your gardening needs. (more…)

If you’ve considered building a greenhouse in your yard, but feel a little daunted by the prospect of such a big job, you are not alone. Depending on the size and type of structure you want to build, constructing greenhouse from scratch is a big endeavor for the average homeowner, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. In this article, we’ll explain some of the basics you need to know when getting started building a greenhouse.

The first considerations before beginning your job are size, style, and location of the structure. If you want a permanent greenhouse, you’ll likely need to dig and pour a foundation. If the structure is going to be very large, say bigger than 6 foot by 8 foot, you’ll probably want to contract this part of the job out to a concrete firm. They have large digging equipment that will make the job go quickly, plus they will most likely back up their work if there are any problems after the fact. If you are going to do the digging yourself, be sure to contact your local utility companies so they can come out and mark the area. The last thing you want to do is hit a gas line or electric line with your shovel. (more…)

Portable greenhouse kits are a gardener’s best friend. They allow you to continue gardening well into the fall, and even let you get a head start on the growing season by protecting delicate seedlings from frost, harsh winds, and heavy rains. They are usually inexpensive and are a good investment for the serious gardener.

Portable Greenhouse Kits: from Sturdy to Flexible

Portable greenhouse kits are available in varieties that are sturdy enough to stand up to bad weather, and others are flexible enough to fold up for storage in a small space. They are versatile enough to meet a variety of greenhouse gardening needs. Some portable greenhouse kits can even be used as an inexpensive permanent greenhouse!

Portable Greenhouse Kits: Hobby Starters

Portable greenhouse kits are a great way to start a new hobby as a greenhouse gardener. They make perfect gifts for recipients of every age. You can give a portable greenhouse kit as a retirement present, or as a gift for the school age child looking for a science project idea or new hobby. Portable greenhouse kits are the perfect way for a gardening enthusiast to share a love of gardening.

Portable Greenhouse Kits: Easy Set Up

Most portable greenhouse kits are extremely easy to set up and can be ready for use in a matter of minutes, right out of the box. Portable greenhouse kits are even available that are self-erecting, only requiring the insertion of a stabilizer bar once set up is complete. This makes portable greenhouse kits attractive for gardeners with physical disabilities or generalized physical weakness.

Portable Greenhouse Kits: Overwintering Paradise

Portable greenhouse kits are perfect for overwintering those delicate plants in a mild region, some plants can even remain outdoors during the entire winter. A portable greenhouse kit eliminates the need to cram your living room with all of your favorite perennial plants during the colder winter months.

Portable Greenhouse Kits: Helpful for Starting Seeds

Portable greenhouse kits can help you get your seeds started earlier. They provide added warmth during germination and help retain extra moisture for delicate sprouts. Portable greenhouse kits also protect fragile seedlings from downpours, heavy winds, and even trampling by the family dog. You can replace those plastic terrarium trays and peat pots, letting seeds grow in their natural environment without transplantation.

Portable greenhouse kits are versatile and useful tools for the gardening enthusiasts. They make perfect gifts and are a welcome addition to any gardener’s potting shed.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful information about greenhouses and greenhouse gardening at The Greenhouse Catalog.

View more articles from Michelle Torres

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