With climate change a persisting issue, it’s essential to think of ways to contribute to preserving the environment.
If you’re someone who loves to garden, the idea of having your greenhouse can be an exciting endeavor. It can take a lot of hard work to get started. But it doesn’t mean it’s entirely impossible.
Building a greenhouse has many benefits. But the foremost is to make your plants grow as healthy as possible.
Greenhouses provide your plants with a controlled environment of the right temperature, moisture, and sunlight. These conditions allow them to grow in the most natural state possible.
How to Build the Right Greenhouse
Follow these tips to help you get started on building a greenhouse for your plants.
Choose your shape and size
When choosing the shape and size of your greenhouse, keep in mind what space you have available.
The usual greenhouse shapes are rectangular and square, but hexagonal or octagonal versions also exist.
You will need to ensure that whatever shape or size you choose is proportional to the space available for your greenhouse.
If you have limited space in your balcony or yard, consider building a vertical greenhouse you can easily fold when not in use.
Assemble in the right spot
Build the structure in a shaded area with good drainage and airflow. It will ensure that your greenhouse remains dry and comfortable for years to come.
In addition to shade and airflow, consider where you would like to place your greenhouse based on light exposure. This may be fine for you if you reside in an area with little or no sunlight during winter.
If not, ensure enough light so plants will not require artificial lighting. Giving them natural lighting is always great for plant growth.
Get the right kind of glass or plastic
Glass is more expensive, but it lasts longer. Plastic is cheaper and easier to work with. For example, you can cut it into any shape.
However, it’s not as durable. If you plan to use plastic, ensure you get suitable plastic. It must be rigid enough so that water doesn’t get through the cracks between panels and cause mold growth.
If you’re going to use glass, make sure your purchase isn’t too thin or brittle. Otherwise, you risk potential accidents when they’re not durable enough.
The upfront cost may be higher, but it should be more durable and can last longer. Glass will be more beneficial, especially if you live in an area with harsh weather.
Keep it at the proper temperature
The best temperature for your greenhouse is between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s too cool, the plants will not grow well and could die. Conversely, too much heat can cause them to burn.
You can use fans to keep the air circulating in your greenhouse at this ideal level. However, remember to keep your greenhouse above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Have excellent drainage
Drainage is essential for healthy plants, as it allows water to flow through the soil and out of your greenhouse.
The holes should be enough for water to seep through but not so big that vines can get stuck in them or create pools of stagnant water on top of your greenhouse floor.
The best way to maintain good drainage is by evenly spacing these holes around the outside perimeter of your greenhouses. Be sure they’re covered with screens or mesh so pests don’t get inside.
Use shade cloths if necessary
If you live in a temperate climate, you’ll probably want to use shade cloths as part of your greenhouse design.
Depending on the time of year, you can use these shade cloths to keep the greenhouse cool or warm. They’re also great for adding extra insulation and protection from windy conditions.
The same applies if you live in a region where the temperature goes below freezing in wintertime.
In addition to helping keep out sunlight while providing insulation at night time, shade cloths also serve as an excellent source of natural air circulation.
Pick your plants carefully
You should also consider the plants you will use in your greenhouse. Some plants will work better than others and are more likely to thrive in a greenhouse environment.
For example, choosing a container with good drainage may be best if you want to grow tomatoes or peppers. This way, water doesn’t pool on the floor of your greenhouse and rot out your soil instead.
Other crops are better suited for containers because they don’t require as much soil depth; these include herbs like basil or cilantro, strawberries, raspberries, and other berries like blackberries and blueberries.
If you’re into ornamental plants, you’d want to buy tropical plants that will benefit from having a controlled environment. If you plan to grow roses, choose a spot in the greenhouse that receives the most sunlight.
Keep humidity high and pests at bay
As the temperature rises, so will the humidity level in your greenhouse. You can maintain stability by adding water to your greenhouse through a humidifier or a dehumidifier.
A humidifier will help maintain a consistent moisture level in the air inside your greenhouse.
Use a greenhouse fogger instead of natural sunlight for heating. If not, an electric heater system and one fan per side should work. Ideally, it would be best to have the fans at least 10 feet away from each other.
Remember, electricity costs money, so consider installing solar panels on top of these structures instead.
Grow Healthy Plants in Your Own Greenhouse
Hopefully, this greenhouse building guide helps you understand these structures’ importance and how to build them yourself.
Greenhouses keep plants healthy and grow more quickly, which means they’re a great addition to any home garden.
Choose the materials and plan accordingly. You should go for something that will allow for flexibility. A multipurpose greenhouse is an excellent choice should you expand or change the plants you wish to grow.