Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Greenhouse Kits - Getting Started

Greenhouse kits are a versatile option for both amateur and professional gardeners. Different people decide to use greenhouses for different reasons. For instance, one person may wish to raise plants for winter use. Another may wish to get an earlier start in the year for growing trickier plants. Still another may wish to better hold over existing plants for use during the next season.

Whatever the reason for selecting a greenhouse, there is certain to be a design suited for every gardener's needs. While it is always possible to build a custom structure, it may be much easier to purchase a ready-to-assemble kit.

    Here are some tips for selecting the right greenhouse and setting it up correctly:

  • Make a list of desirable plants to maintain. Under each species, take notes on the required climate and space as well as general life spans. This information will assist in determining what functions a greenhouse needs to perform during different times of the year.

  • Compare that list to the regional climate. Growing tropical plants in a cold environment will take a lot more work than growing them in warmer areas. Different greenhouse kits will provide different potentials for control.

  • Determine how much space is necessary for the plants. After that, choose a structure that is a bit bigger. This allows room for changes in plans of cultivation. A person may also discover that, though plants may fit easily into their allotted amount of space, the area is still too crowded for adequate ventilation. The truth is more plants die from overheating within a greenhouse than they do from the winter cold.

  • Decide where the greenhouse will be placed. Light is an important consideration for this matter. In particular, the amount of winter light should be kept in mind. The change of the angle of the sun over the year will affect placement. Obviously, there should not be any shading structures within a location. It is also important to remember that trees may grow and lose leaves over time.

  • Remember that if the ideal situation for the summer is different than that of the winter, perhaps the best option is to purchase a portable greenhouse kit. Another situation where this may be excellent is if great changes of terrain may be expected over the years. For instance, if a new shed may be built in an area, blocking sunlight, then an option which is capable of eventually being transported with ease may be best.

  • Choose the material type carefully. Wooden frames often come with the risk of rotting or developing mold and mildew. Some are created with PVC tubing, which is more affordable. Aluminum and steel options are much more durable, though more expensive.

  • Calculate any additional purchases necessary. A sturdy, reliable frame may come at a great low price. However, it is possible that it does not include the other elements which many kits do, such as shelves. The need for additional purchases can bring the price up. Also, if it is not built in an adaptive manner, the cost of altering greenhouse kits through drilling and other such practices may also increase the expense.

By Anne Clarke

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, parenting, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, yoga, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on greenhouse supplies, please visit Greenhouse Kits, supplier of greenhouse news and information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke

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