A Step-By-Step Guide To Setting Up A Greenhouse

Are you interested in growing your own food? Cultivating fruits and vegetables can be an exciting and rewarding hobby. Tending to your plants on weekends offers a great way to unwind and stay active as you prepare for the week ahead. 

Traditionally, people have grown their plants in backyard gardens. However, these spaces can be vulnerable to extreme weather conditions such as snow. As a result, many are turning to alternative farming techniques, such as greenhouses, to grow their food. 

Greenhouses provide a controlled environment that enables you to grow vegetables and flowers year-round, regardless of the climate. These protected spaces allow your plants to reach their full potential, ensuring you get the most out of your investment. 

Over the years, more and more individuals have opted to set up greenhouses instead of growing plants in open spaces. However, this isn't a new concept. In fact, the first greenhouse was built in France and used to protect oranges (citation: swgreenhouses.co.uk) in the 19th century.   

Like any hobby, setting up and growing your foods in a controlled environment may require knowledge and skills. Otherwise, you risk encountering many challenges, ultimately affecting the whole experience. However, here are tips you might consider employing to minimize challenges and allow you to easily set up and grow crops from your greenhouse. 

There are many greenhouse styles you can choose to meet your needs. Your chosen type may affect your entire operation's effectiveness and functionality. Here are the common types of greenhouse styles:  

These are the smallest and simplest type of greenhouse. This is because cold frames are built as small boxes with hinged lids. Thus, they're cheap to build or buy. Also, they don't require a heat source, ultimately lowering the costs.  

This greenhouse style is mainly used to safeguard crops from the elements during the overwintering process. Thus, it'll be possible for winter-hardy plants to continue thriving even during extreme conditions.  

These are built up against a solid fence or wall. For instance, you can attach a greenhouse to your house walls to support the structure. The size of attached greenhouses varies. It can be as small as a window box or as large as the size of the supporting wall. 

As the name suggests, these greenhouses stand independently; however, you can connect with others using a veranda. They are complete, and you may enter to grow or check your plants. Since they're freestanding, the materials must be strong enough, ultimately increasing the buying and maintenance costs.  

How To Choose Greenhouse Style 

Now that you understand the different types of greenhouses, it's time to know how to choose the right one. Here are factors that might help you when looking for the right greenhouse type: 

• Budget 

Each greenhouse style has a different price range. For instance, if you choose simple structures such as cold frames, the price will be lower than when you select sturdy structures such as glass greenhouses.  

Although cheap greenhouses may initially save you money, they might be expensive down the road. Thus, setting up a realistic budget is crucial, allowing you to get a quality greenhouse at an affordable price. 

You can also consider contacting reputable vendors, such as uplarn.com, who will advise you on buying the ideal greenhouse. But ensure you perform due diligence to guarantee you get your products from a reliable and compliant company.  

Your gardening needs will affect the choice you'll make. For instance, will you use the greenhouse as potting shed? Or seed germination area?  

Also, the type of plants you'll grow will determine the greenhouse style. Thus, researching extensively is crucial to ensure you understand your needs and get the right type. 

Location hugely influences the effectiveness of your greenhouse. You'll want to set up your greenhouse in a site with plenty of sunlight. This may differ depending on where you live. Thus, it might be necessary to use a sun path chart to determine the correct orientation of your greenhouse.

A sun path chart shows the path of the sun across the sky for a specific location at different times of the year. To use a sun path chart, find one for your location and observe the sun's path across the sky during different seasons. This will help you understand how the sun moves in your area, allowing you to position your greenhouse in a way that takes advantage of the most sunlight throughout the year.

 Also, consider an area protected from the wind. Extreme exposure may affect the integrity of your structure. Additionally, you'll need to choose a location with no surrounding trees, as the falling leaves can dirty the frame or introduce pests. 

Another factor to consider when choosing the ideal area is how you'll heat the greenhouse. For instance, if you use electricity to heat your greenhouse, ensure it's as close to your house as possible. This will lower the costs of installing an electrical system.  

You'll need several types of materials when setting up your greenhouse. They include:  

• Building Materials  

The building materials you choose depend on your needs, local climate, and more. You can use materials such as wood, PVC pipes, and aluminum to frame your structure. Aluminum frames are standard as they're strong and capable of holding well against rust and downpour.  

Besides the frame, you'll have to choose the covering. The greenhouse material is responsible for trapping heat and allowing your crops to flourish. The common coverings include glass, polyethylene sheets, polycarbonate panels, and more. Considering that, it's crucial to consider cost, durability, and insulation factors when choosing a greenhouse covering. 

There are several types of tools you must have when you're building your greenhouse. They include cutting tools, hammers, power drills, nails, and more. You'll also need extras such as sealant to ensure you create an air-tight structure. However, when using these tools, ensure you have enough skills and know-how to save you from accidents and related issues.  

Like any home improvement project, you'll need permits for your growing space. The building codes vary from one administration to another. Thus, it's crucial to make an effort to visit the local office to ensure you're conversant with ever-changing policies. 

Also, you can hire a reputable contractor to build your greenhouse. This will ensure you continuously comply with codes when setting up a greenhouse. Otherwise, you risk non-adherence fines and penalties. 

Once you have permits, you can now clear the building sites. This includes laying down a solid base to support the whole structure. You can use several types of floors, including slabs, concrete pads, and more.  

The strong base will protect your structure from being blown away during strong wind seasons. Then, you can start setting up the frame, necessary accessories such as lighting, and finally, your covering.  

In Summary 

Growing your own crops can be a great hobby. People are now using greenhouses to produce their vegetables, fruits, or flowers. However, it might be challenging to set up a greenhouse, especially when you're unskilled. For this reason, it's crucial to research adequately to ensure you have the necessary knowledge.

Author's Bio:

Oliver Green is a gardening enthusiast and blogger with a passion for sustainable living. He has been growing his own produce for over 10 years and enjoys experimenting with different gardening techniques. Oliver loves to share his knowledge with others and has written several articles on greenhouse gardening. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with his family.